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World’s Ten Richest Women Control $886 Billion
Forbes listed the ten richest women in the world in its 2026 billionaire rankings.
Together, these women control about $886 billion.
Alice Walton is the richest woman, with $134 billion connected mainly to Walmart.
Some women built companies with their families, while others inherited businesses from parents or husbands.
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers owns a large share of L’Oréal.
Other fortunes come from shipping, mining, steel, casinos, financial services, aluminium and candy.
Most of the women are from the United States, but the list also includes women from several other countries.
Forbes estimates wealth using company shares, property, debt, charitable giving and some family holdings.
Women made up about 14% of the billionaires on Forbes’ list.
Alice Walton tops Forbes’ 2026 list with an estimated $134 billion fortune.
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers ranks second with $100 billion tied largely to L’Oréal ownership.
Julia Koch, Iris Fontbona and Jacqueline Mars built fortunes through inherited family businesses.
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant, Savitri Jindal and Miriam Adelson hold wealth linked to shipping, industry and casinos.
Abigail Johnson and Zheng Shuliang complete the ranking, each with an estimated $33.2 billion.
- Who
- The ten women named on Forbes’ 2026 World’s Billionaires List, led by Alice Walton.
- What
- They have a combined estimated fortune of about $886 billion, with wealth derived from business ownership, inheritance and family companies.
- Where
- The women are primarily from the United States, with others connected to France, Chile, India and China.
- When
- The ranking is Forbes’ 2026 World’s Billionaires List; Zheng Shuliang was vice chair of China Hongqiao Group until May 2026.
- Why
- Their fortunes are linked to stakes in companies spanning retail, cosmetics, energy, mining, shipping, steel, casinos, finance, aluminium and other industries.
Key facts
- Combined fortune
- About $886 billion
- Richest woman
- Alice Walton, $134 billion
- Second place
- Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, $100 billion
- Largest overall ranking
- Alice Walton is No. 14 among all billionaires
- Women’s share of billionaire list
- About 14%
- Only Indian woman in the top 10
- Savitri Jindal
- Tenth place
- Zheng Shuliang, $33.2 billion




