Alice Walton, daughter of Walmart's founder, and Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, granddaughter of L'Oreal's founder, are among the world's 5 wealthiest women, according to Forbes' real-time billionaire rankings.
Alice Walton ($101.2 billion)
|
|
Alice Walton. Photo courtesy of the Walton Museum. |
Sam Walton's only daughter, Alice, 75, chose to focus on collecting art rather than following in her siblings' footsteps and joining Walmart's board of directors. She established the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas in 2011, showcasing works by renowned artists such as Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol.
She previously worked as a stock market analyst and established her own investment banking firm. She also served as the vice chairwoman of Arvest Bank Group, which is owned by the Walton family.
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers ($81.2 billion)
|
|
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, heiress to the L'Oréal cosmetics fortune. |
Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the granddaughter of L'Oréal founder Eugène Schueller, owns more than a third of the publicly traded cosmetics company. At 71 years old, Bettencourt Meyers has been a member of L'Oréal's board since 1997 and serves as chair of the family's holding company, which owns well-known brands such as Maybelline and Yves Saint Laurent.
Bettencourt Meyers is also a scholar with a strong interest in religion and music, aside from her business pursuits.
Julia Koch ($74.2 billion)
|
|
Julia Koch, president of the David H. Koch Foundation. |
Julia Koch, 62, inherited a 42% stake in Koch Industries after the passing of her husband, David Koch, in 2019. Prior to this, she was involved in the fashion industry, notably working with the renowned designer Adolfo and catering to high-profile clients, such as former First Lady Nancy Reagan.
In February of the previous year, the Julia Koch Family Foundation donated $75 million to establish the Julia Koch Family Ambulatory Care Center. The family's foundation has made significant donations in the millions of U.S. dollars to schools and hospitals.
Jacqueline Mars ($44.2 billion)
|
|
Jacqueline B. Mars accepts the R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award at the 2017 Gold Medal Club Reception with Tucker Johnson (left) and Brownlee O. Currey, Jr. (right). Photo courtesy of the USET Foundation |
Jacqueline Mars, 85, has a one-third ownership stake in Mars Inc., the global company that specializes in candies, food, and pet care, which was originally founded by her grandfather. For nearly two decades, Mars was actively involved in the family business and served on its board of directors until 2016.
She, alongside her brother John Mars, played a significant role in expanding well-known brands such as Snickers and M&M's. Mars is also celebrated for her charitable efforts, especially in the areas of education and cultural conservation.
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant ($38.9 billion)
|
|
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant. |
Rafaela Aponte-Diamant, 79, is a co-owner of MSC, the world's largest shipping company, alongside her husband Gianluigi Aponte. She is particularly skilled in interior design for MSC's cruise ships and also serves as a member of the MSC Foundation board.
Funded by her family since 2018, the MSC Foundation focuses on worldwide conservation and humanitarian efforts, contributing approximately $12.9 million to various charitable projects as of 2022.