Here is a list of the richest women ever in the world history and their net worth in no order.
Who runs the world? Well, according to Beyonce, its GIRLS.
Although many will disagree because men have headlined nearly every major financial decision in the world.
However, women did not step aside, in-fact, women stand shoulder to shoulder with men in the struggle for financial dominance in the world today.
All through history, many women have achieved feats that only great men get to hold.
They have ruled over empires, led resistance against tyranny, and accumulated wealth that few could ever dream of.
Top 10 Richest Women In The World History And Their Net Worth
1. Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is the richest black woman alive today in the world who rose from nothing to stardom and immense wealth.
Her journey is in one of the most inspiring grass to grace stories ever told.
Born in 1954 in Kosciusko, a small rural town in Mississippi, where she had a rough childhood filled with sexual abuse from relatives and family friends.
Oprah didn’t let life stop her, she went for gold at every chance she got.
In high school, she won Miss Nashville pageant, and then Miss Tennessee, and will later compete for Miss Black America.
Oprah started her broadcasting career in 1976 when she moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where she hosted the talk show – People are Talking, which stayed on air for 8years.
Her Midas touch continued on with her to Chicago where she hosted A.M Radio, drove the show’s rating from last to first.
In 1986, she started famous The Oprah Winfrey Show, which shot her to global stardom, and went on to run for 25 seasons, until 2011.
At the height of the talk-show, it aired on 212 channels in the United States alone, and in more than 100 countries worldwide.
The Oprah Winfrey Show racked up dozens of awards, and her influence grew immensely in the 80’s and 90’s.
Today she has a net-worth of about $2.1Billion making her one of the richest women in world history.
2. Catherine the Great
The one-time empress of Russia, Catherine was formerly, Princess Sophie
From a ruling German family, she married her second cousin Peter of Holstein-Gottorp, whom she later arrested and took control of the empire from.
She succeeded with this because her husband openly showed favoritism for his native homeland of Germany, over Russia.
Catherine was not the most beautiful woman in her time, in-fact she was ridiculed at first in the courts.
But her charming personality and exceptional energy soon attracted all kinds of powerful men towards her.
When she was empress, Catherine had the luxury that only few could ever dream of.
She commanded so much wealth that if her net-worth was to be converted into today’s value, it’ll be roughly $1.5Trillion.
3. Shari Arison
In the world history, she ranks as one of the richest women.
In Israel, Shari Arison ranks as the 4th wealthiest person, though she doesn’t rank as number one in either category, Forbes did note her as the richest woman in the middle east.
American born, and a successful business woman, and philanthropists in Israel, Arison owns several companies one of which includes, Bank Hapoalim, the largest company in Israel.
She had a net-worth of about $6.6Billion, she inherited a fortune from her father, American Israeli businessman, Ted Arison; the founder and owner of the Carnival Cruise Lines.
Shari Arison has attained success in business, and now is a major philanthropist who donates to various causes, including, education, healthcare, and environmental initiatives.
4. Miuccia Prada
All you fashion people already know, with that iconic last-name, Miuccia Prada is the granddaughter of Miuccio Prada, the founder of Prada.
With a net-worth of over $4Billion, she works as a businesswoman fashion designer, serving as the head designer for Prada.
Miuccio graduated from the university of Milan, and entered into the fashion industry in 1979, and has since transformed the landscape of fashion, and transformed Prada from a little-known luxury brand into a global fashion powerhouse.
As a feminist, her bold designs show her progressive values.
Her work has been featured in numerous fashion magazines and exhibitions, and she’s been awarded numerous awards for her accomplishment.
Miuccia Prada is one of the richest women in the world, and also one of the most powerful people in the fashion industry.
5. Charlene De Carvalho-Heineken
She works as the Executive Director and owner of 25% controlling interest of Brewer Heineken international, the second largest brewer in the world.
Married to Michelle De-Carvalho, a British Financier and formal Olympian, she inherited about $3Billion British pounds when her father Freddie Heineken passed away in 2002.
She is currently the chairperson of Heineken Group, and chairwoman of the family’s private investment company, the Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken Foundation.
She is known for her philanthropic work, and she’s been involved in numerous development and social entrepreneurship.
As one of the richest women in history, she’s been named one of the most influential women in business.
6. Gina Rinehart
With a net-worth of about $20Billion, Gina is one of the richest people in Australia and one of the richest women in the world.
The only child and heir to Lang Hancock’s who made his fortune in the mining industry.
The founder of Hancock Prospecting, Gina inherited a wealth of $400million at the time of his death in 1992.
Gina has since grown the family fortune through her own business acumen and investments.
She has diversified the family’s assets, investing in numerous industries, including energy, agriculture, and retail.
She has also expanded the family’s mining operations, and developed a number of major projects, including the Roy Hill iron ore mine in Western Australia.
7. Lauren Powell Jobs
She graduated from the university of Pennsylvania school of arts and sciences with a bachelor’s in political sciences.
She co-founded Apple Inc with Jobs where she worked as the former CEO.
Also, she founded Emerson Collective, a non-profit organization that focuses on education and immigration reform.
When Steve Jobs died in 2011, she inherited the Steven P. Jobs Trust and a 7.3% stake in the Walt Disney Company.
Lauren is a shark in the tech world, she has invested in a number of notable start-ups through her company, Emerson Collective.
Some of her investments include Airbnb, Lyft, and Square.
She is known for her strategic investments and her ability to spot potential in early-stage companies.
Lauren remains one of the richest women in history.
8. Jacqueline Mars:
Jacqueline was born into money, her entire family is full of rich people.
She just happens to be one of the richer ones in the family, since she is the daughter of Forest Mars, and the granddaughter of Frank C.
Mars who founded the candy company – Mars, one of the largest privately owned companies in the world.
Jacqueline has served on the board of directors of Mars Inc, and has been involved in a number of philanthropic causes, including animal welfare, and conservation.
She’s also known for her involvement in thoroughbred horse racing, and she has owned and bred a number of successful racehorses.
She is currently having a net-worth of $31Billion, making her one of the richest women in the world.
9. Cleopatra VII of Egypt
Cleopatra has remained one of the most influential women in history.
She was born in 69BC and became a queen of Egypt in 51BC.
She wasn’t Egyptian by origin, rather she was a member of the Ptelemaic dynasty, a Greek royal family that ruled Egypt between 305BC and 30BC.
Cleopatra is famous for beauty and intellect and for her savvy diplomatic skills.
Records has it that she charmed powerful men and gained their support, including Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.
Cleopatra’s net-worth will be roughly $100Billion is conversion today, she understood the importance of trade diplomacy.
During her time, she made trade agreements with other nations and worked to improve the economy of Egypt.
She also encouraged the arts and sciences and was known for her patronage of scholars and artists.
10. Alice Walton
The only daughter of Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart.
The American heiress, Alice Walton inherited a significant fortune from her father when he died in 1992.
Today, she is one of the richest women in the world with a net-worth of $63.7Billion.
Alice is also known for her philanthropic work, which she focuses most of her wealth and influence.
She is the founder of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Also, she has also donated millions of dollars to educational and arts organizations.
She has proved her business suaveness outside of Walmart with her venture in Arvest Bank.
FAQs on The Richest Women In World History
1) Who is the richest black woman in American history?
Madam C. J. Walker: An African American entrepreneur, philanthropist and activist.
Born in 1867, she became the one of the first women in American to become a self-made millionaire.
She made her fortune through her company, Madam C.J Walker manufacturing Company, which sold hair care products specifically for African American women.
2. Who is the youngest rich woman in the world?
The richest female billionaire in the world is Kylie Jenner:
At 25years old, with a net-worth of $900million, she is best known for her cosmetics company, Kylie Cosmetics, which she founded in 2015.
She also has endorsement deals and other business ventures; she is one of the most influential women in the beauty industry.
3) Which business made these women the richest?
Unfortunately, after going through the list of the richest women, it is clear that a majority of them acquired their wealth from an inheritance and not from a business venture.
Although, there are women like Oprah and Kylie Jenner who are self-made, most wealthy women inherited a fortune which either acted a base investment capital or the whole of their wealth.
Conclusion On Richest Women In History
Fortune smiles on whom it chooses.
While we have associated riches with the wealthiest men throughout history, there have been many notable female figures who have achieved incredible financial independence.
From the ancient Egypt to modern day, women have made their mark on the world through their business acumen, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Some of the richest women in history includes, Cleopatra of Egypt, and Oprah Winfrey.
