Alice Walton is the richest woman in the world in 2026, with an estimated net worth of $134 billion, according to the Forbes World's Billionaires List. She holds this title for the third consecutive year, driven by a surge in Walmart's stock price.
The 2026 Forbes list includes over 481 female billionaires out of 3,428 total, making up approximately 14% of the global billionaire population. That figure is up from 406 female billionaires the previous year.
Top 10 Richest Women in the World (2026)
|
Rank |
Name |
Net Worth |
Source of Wealth |
Country |
|
1 |
Alice Walton |
$134B |
Walmart |
USA |
|
2 |
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers |
$100B |
L'Oréal |
France |
|
3 |
Julia Koch |
$81.2B |
Koch Industries |
USA |
|
4 |
Iris Fontbona |
$52.6B |
Mining / Antofagasta |
Chile |
|
5 |
Jacqueline Mars |
$49.1B |
Mars Inc. |
USA |
|
6 |
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant |
$44.5B |
MSC Shipping |
Switzerland |
|
7 |
Savitri Jindal |
$39.1B |
JSW Steel / Energy |
India |
|
8 |
Abigail Johnson |
~$35B |
Fidelity Investments |
USA |
|
9 |
Miriam Adelson |
~$34B |
Las Vegas Sands |
USA |
|
10 |
Zheng Shuliang |
$33.2B |
China Hongqiao (Aluminum) |
China |
Source: Based on Forbes Billionaires List (2026 estimates)
Alice Walton
Net Worth: $134 billion
Source of Wealth: Walmart
Country: United States
Alice Walton is the only daughter of Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart. She does not hold an operational role at the company but owns a significant stake in the retail giant alongside her siblings.
Her fortune grew by more than $30 billion in the past year. Walmart's stock climbed sharply, fueled by strong earnings and continued growth in e-commerce sales.
Outside of her financial holdings, Walton is known for founding the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, and the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. She ranks 14th on the overall Forbes Billionaires List, placing her among a very small group of centibillionaires worldwide.
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers
Net Worth: $100 billion
Source of Wealth: L'Oréal
Country: France
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is the granddaughter of Eugène Schueller, who founded the L'Oréal beauty empire. She inherited her fortune when her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, passed away in 2017. Her family holds approximately 33% of L'Oréal stock.
She previously made history as the first woman globally to reach centibillionaire status. In 2025, she stepped down from L'Oréal's board of directors after nearly three decades, though her fortune continues to grow alongside the company's global performance. Her net worth climbed by roughly $18 billion in the past year.
Bettencourt Meyers also runs the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation, which supports science, the arts, and social inclusion.
Julia Koch
Net Worth: $81.2 billion
Source of Wealth: Koch Industries
Country: United States
Julia Koch and her children inherited a 42% stake in Koch Industries after the death of her husband, David Koch, in 2019. Koch Industries is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States, with businesses spanning chemicals, pipelines, manufacturing, and consumer goods.
In recent years, the Koch family expanded its holdings further by acquiring a minority stake in the NFL's New York Giants, adding sports investment to an already diversified portfolio.
Iris Fontbona
Net Worth: $52.6 billion
Source of Wealth: Mining, Antofagasta PLC
Country: Chile
Iris Fontbona is the wealthiest person in Chile and the richest woman in Latin America. She inherited her fortune after the death of her husband, Andrónico Luksic, in 2005. The family's wealth is built primarily through Antofagasta PLC, one of the world's largest copper producers, and Quiñenco, a diversified conglomerate covering banking and beverages.
Fontbona entered the global top 10 richest women for the first time in 2026, reflecting the rising value of copper and mining assets worldwide.
Jacqueline Mars
Net Worth: $49.1 billion
Source of Wealth: Mars Inc.
Country: United States
Jacqueline Mars owns approximately 30% of Mars Incorporated, the global food and confectionery company behind brands including M&Ms, Snickers, Skittles, Pringles and Pedigree. She is the granddaughter of Franklin Clarence Mars, who founded the business.
Mars served on the company's board of directors for nearly two decades. She is also recognized for her philanthropic work in education, environmental conservation, and the arts.
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant
Net Worth: $44.5 billion
Source of Wealth: Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
Country: Switzerland
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant is one of the few self-made billionaires in the top 10. She co-founded the Mediterranean Shipping Company with her husband, Gianluigi Aponte, starting with a single ship purchased with a $200,000 loan. MSC is now one of the largest shipping companies in the world, covering cargo, cruise lines, and port operations.
She represents one of 122 self-made female billionaires on the 2026 Forbes list. Her rise from a modest beginning to leading one of the world's most influential shipping empires makes her one of the most distinct figures among the wealthiest women in the world.
The growing list of self-made female billionaires reflects a broader shift in global wealth patterns, a trend also visible in luxury lifestyle culture. Celebrities and high-net-worth individuals increasingly choose statement jewelry like moissanite watches and iced-out pieces as visible markers of their wealth and taste.
Savitri Jindal
Net Worth: $39.1 billion
Source of Wealth: JSW Steel / Energy
Country: India
Savitri Jindal is the richest woman in India and controls a large industrial empire spanning steel, energy, cement, and infrastructure. Her wealth is tied to the JSW Group, one of India's most prominent conglomerates.
She inherited her position following the death of her husband, O.P. Jindal, in 2005. The group has continued to expand significantly under family leadership in the years since.
Abigail Johnson
Net Worth: ~$35 billion
Source of Wealth: Fidelity Investments
Country: United States
Abigail Johnson is the CEO of Fidelity Investments, one of the largest asset management and financial services firms in the United States. She is the granddaughter of the company's founder, Edward C. Johnson II.
Under her leadership, Fidelity has remained a dominant force in retirement services and investment management. Her net worth grew modestly over the past year, though she slipped slightly in the rankings as other fortunes rose faster.
Miriam Adelson
Net Worth: ~$34 billion
Source of Wealth: Las Vegas Sands
Country: United States
Miriam Adelson inherited a major stake in the Las Vegas Sands casino and hospitality empire following the death of her husband, Sheldon Adelson, in 2021. Over the past year, shares of the company climbed sharply, adding several billion dollars to her fortune.
Beyond her business holdings, Adelson is widely recognized as one of the largest political donors in the United States.
Zheng Shuliang
Net Worth: $33.2 billion
Source of Wealth: China Hongqiao Group (Aluminum)
Country: China
Zheng Shuliang serves as vice chair of China Hongqiao Group, one of the world's largest aluminum producers. The company was founded by her late husband, and business operations are now led by their son.
She is one of only two Asian women in the 2026 top 10, and her entry into the ranking reflects the growing prominence of Chinese industrial wealth on the global stage. Aluminum demand has remained steady in 2026, driven by infrastructure development across Asia.
How Many Female Billionaires Are There in 2026?
There are over 481 female billionaires globally in 2026, making up approximately 14% of the Forbes Billionaires List. That is up from 406 female billionaires the year prior.
Of those women, only around 122 are considered self-made, meaning the majority of the wealthiest women inherited their fortunes or benefited from a combination of inheritance and business expansion.
The United States leads the list with the most female billionaires by country, followed by China and Germany.
This upward trend mirrors broader cultural shifts in how wealth is displayed. Interest in luxury jewelry trends and celebrity jewelry collections has grown alongside rising affluence globally.
Richest Self-Made Woman in the World (2026)
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant is the richest self-made woman in the world in 2026, with $44.5 billion built entirely through MSC, the global shipping company she co-founded.
Among other notable self-made women on the 2026 Forbes list:
-
Diane Hendricks (USA) — $22.3 billion from roofing and construction
-
Taylor Swift (USA) — $2 billion from music and entertainment
-
Sara Blakely (USA) — $1.4 billion, founder of Spanx
-
Rihanna (Barbados/global) — $1 billion from Fenty Beauty and music
-
Beyoncé (USA) — estimated net worth close to $1 billion, built through music, global touring, and her Ivy Park fashion brand
For a deeper look at how music and entertainment wealth is built, check out this breakdown of the richest musicians in the world and the richest content creators.
Richest Women in the USA (2026)
Five of the top 10 richest women globally are American:
-
Alice Walton ($134B) — Walmart
-
Julia Koch ($81.2B) — Koch Industries
-
Jacqueline Mars ($49.1B) — Mars Inc.
-
Abigail Johnson (~$35B) — Fidelity Investments
-
Miriam Adelson (~$34B) — Las Vegas Sands
The USA produces more billionaires than any other country, with 989 billionaires holding a combined net worth exceeding $8.4 trillion.
Wealthy Americans are also among the most active buyers of fine jewelry and luxury watches. Pieces like moissanite engagement rings, diamond bracelets, and VVS moissanite jewelry remain popular choices for high-net-worth individuals seeking diamond-quality aesthetics at a fraction of the price.
Conclusion
Alice Walton holds the title of the richest woman in the world in 2026 with $134 billion, built on her inherited stake in Walmart and the company's continued strong performance. Behind her, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers and Julia Koch round out a top 3 dominated by powerful family fortunes.
The global list of wealthiest women continues to grow, with over 481 female billionaires in 2026, up significantly from the prior year. Self-made fortunes remain in the minority, but their share is rising.
For those drawn to the lifestyle and aesthetics of extreme wealth, luxury jewelry remains one of the most visible expressions of affluence.
FAQs
Who is the richest woman in the world in 2026?
Alice Walton is the richest woman in the world in 2026, with a net worth of $134 billion, according to Forbes.
Who is the richest woman in the USA?
Alice Walton is the wealthiest woman in the USA in 2026, followed by Julia Koch and Jacqueline Mars.
Who is the richest self-made woman in the world?
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant is the richest self-made woman globally in 2026, with $44.5 billion built through co-founding the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
Who was the first female billionaire?
Liliane Bettencourt, the mother of Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, is widely cited as one of the first women to appear on the Forbes Billionaires List, first listed in 1987. Madam C.J. Walker, an African-American entrepreneur in the early 1900s, is recognized as the first self-made female millionaire.
How many female billionaires are there in the world?
There are over 481 female billionaires in 2026, accounting for approximately 14% of the total Forbes list of 3,428 billionaires.
Who are the top 5 richest women in the world?
The top 5 richest women in 2026 are Alice Walton ($134B), Françoise Bettencourt Meyers ($100B), Julia Koch ($81.2B), Iris Fontbona ($52.6B), and Jacqueline Mars ($49.1B).
Are Beyoncé or Rihanna among the richest women in the world?
Rihanna reached a confirmed $1 billion net worth, driven primarily by Fenty Beauty. Beyoncé is close to billionaire status, with her wealth built across music, touring, and business ventures. Both remain well outside the global top 10 but represent the growing presence of self-made entertainers in high-net-worth rankings.
