Women still make up a small portion of the world’s wealthiest individuals, but their presence on the global billionaires list continues to grow. According to the 2026 Forbes World’s Billionaires ranking, 481 out of 3,428 billionaires are women, representing 14% of the list, an increase from 406 women (13.4%) recorded the previous year according to Forbes.
For the second consecutive year, Alice Walton, heir to the Walmart fortune, remains the richest woman in the world with an estimated net worth of $134 billion. Her wealth rose significantly as Walmart’s shares surged, driven by strong earnings and growing global e-commerce sales.
French cosmetics heiress Francoise Bettencourt Meyers and Julia Koch, widow of industrialist David Koch, retain their positions as the second- and third-richest women respectively. Meanwhile, Chilean billionaire Iris Fontbona moved up the rankings, overtaking Jacqueline Mars to claim fourth place.
Among the top 10, the only self-made billionaire woman is Swiss shipping magnate Rafaela Aponte-Diamant, who built her fortune through the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which she cofounded with her husband.
Below are the 10 richest women in the world in 2026, based on estimates as of March 1, 2026.
- Alice Walton
Net worth: $134 billion | Age: 76 | Source of wealth: Walmart | Citizenship: United States
Alice Walton, the only daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, added about $33 billion to her fortune as the retailer’s shares climbed sharply over the past year. Strong earnings and rising global e-commerce sales helped Walmart become the first traditional retailer to reach a $1 trillion market capitalisation in February.
- Francoise Bettencourt Meyers & family
Net worth: $100 billion | Age: 72 | Source of wealth: L’Oréal | Citizenship: France
The granddaughter of L’Oréal founder Eugène Schueller saw her fortune grow by about $18.4 billion as shares of the cosmetics giant rose by 13% over the past year. Bettencourt Meyers stepped down from the company’s board in 2025 after serving for 28 years, including time as vice-chair.
- Julia Koch & family
Net worth: $81.2 billion | Age: 63 | Source of wealth: Koch, Inc. | Citizenship: United States
Julia Koch inherited her fortune following the death of her husband David Koch in 2019. She and her children own about 42% of Koch, Inc., one of the largest private companies in the United States. In recent years, the family has also invested in sports franchises, including stakes in the New York Giants and Brooklyn Nets.
- Iris Fontbona & family
Net worth: $52.6 billion | Age: 83 | Source of wealth: Mining | Citizenship: Chile
Chile’s richest person gained about $24.5 billion over the past year due to soaring global copper prices. Much of her wealth comes from Antofagasta, a mining company listed on the London Stock Exchange that she inherited from her late husband Andrónico Luksic.
- Jacqueline Mars
Net worth: $49.1 billion | Age: 86 | Source of wealth: Candy | Citizenship: United States
A third-generation heir to the Mars confectionery empire, Jacqueline Mars saw her fortune grow by about $6.5 billion over the past year. The Mars company, known for products such as M&M’s, Pringles and Combos, is also a major global player in the pet care industry.
- Rafaela Aponte-Diamant
Net worth: $44.5 billion | Age: 80 | Source of wealth: Shipping | Citizenship: Switzerland
Aponte-Diamant cofounded Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) with her husband Gianluigi Aponte after securing a $200,000 loan to purchase their first ship. Today MSC has grown into one of the world’s largest shipping conglomerates, operating in logistics, cruise lines and port management.
- Savitri Jindal & family
Net worth: $39.1 billion | Age: 75 | Source of wealth: Steel | Citizenship: India
India’s richest woman inherited the Jindal Group following the death of her husband O.P. Jindal in 2005. The conglomerate has diversified interests in steel, power, cement and infrastructure, with its various divisions now managed by her four sons.
- Miriam Adelson & family
Net worth: $37.5 billion | Age: 80 | Source of wealth: Casinos | Citizenship: United States
The widow of casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson saw her wealth increase as shares of Las Vegas Sands rose by 28% during the past year. A prominent political donor, she has been one of the largest financial supporters of former US President Donald Trump.
- Abigail Johnson
Net worth: $33.2 billion | Age: 64 | Source of wealth: Fidelity | Citizenship: United States
Johnson has served as chairman and chief executive of Fidelity Investments, the financial services firm founded by her grandfather in 1946, for nearly a decade. Although her fortune increased by around $500 million, she dropped slightly in the rankings after others saw larger gains.
- Zheng Shuliang & family
Net worth: $33.2 billion | Age: 80 | Source of wealth: Aluminium products | Citizenship: China
Zheng Shuliang serves as vice-chair of China Hongqiao Group, one of the world’s largest aluminium producers, founded by her late husband Zhang Shiping. The company generates billions in annual revenue and employs more than 50,000 workers worldwide.