35 Most Famous Business Women in the world

35 most famous businesswomen in the world

*Updated by Vanessa R in May 2023 and Ian S in March 2024

Who are the most famous businesswomen in the world? Male entrepreneurs used to make up the bulk of the business world. However, the number of female entrepreneurs throughout the world has increased in recent years. It is inspiring to see so many women regardless of colour, age or where they are from becoming so successful.  These women are inspiring and especially in this day and age where women are discriminated but women on this list are not only businesswomen but a majority are feminists who defend women’s equality and equity. 

Here are the most famous businesswomen in the world. 

1. Gina Rinehart (Net Worth: $11.7 Billion)

Gina Rinehart by Minister for Trade and Investment The Hon Andrew Robb AO MP from Wikimedia Commons

Gina Rinehart, an Australian billionaire, is Australia’s richest woman and the world’s sixth-richest woman, with a personal fortune of $11.7 billion. Rinehart is the chairman of Hancock Prospecting Group, a mining business that produces 30 million tonnes of iron ore each year, to put things in context. When her father died in 1992, Rinehart became chairman of the firm, and she has since become one of the world’s wealthiest women entrepreneurs.

2. Oprah Winfrey (Net Worth: $3 Billion)

Oprah-Winfrey by MILWAUKEE from Wikimedia Commons

Don’t we all adore Oprah Winfrey?

Oprah Winfrey is an accomplished actress, talk show host, producer, and philanthropist. It’s all there. ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show,’ which aired for a total of 25 seasons and was named one of the longest-running daytime talk shows in history, was undoubtedly her most successful and popular enterprise.

Oprah Winfrey has amassed a total net worth of over $3 billion as a result of her various businesses, making her one of the wealthiest, well-liked, and well-known female entrepreneurs in the world.

3. Folorunsho Alakija (Net Worth: $2.5 Billion)

Folorunsho Alakija is Nigeria’s wealthiest female entrepreneur. Although she is not as well-known as other female entrepreneurs such as Oprah Winfrey, Arianna Huffington, and Beyonce, she has a net worth of $2.5 billion.

Folorunsho’s first business was Supreme Stitches, a tailoring firm she created after working for two other companies: Sijuade Enterprises in Nigeria and the First National Bank of Chicago.

After Supreme Stitches became highly successful a few years later, Alakija looked into many other industries for investment opportunities, including the oil and printing industries in her instance.

4. Denise Coates (Net Worth: $2.5 Billion)

Denise Coates is the creator of Bet365, an online gambling firm established in the United Kingdom. Denise bought the Bet365.com domain name in January 2000 and worked on it for a year before launching it to the general public.

Bet365 was up and running thanks to a £15 million loan from the Royal Bank of Scotland. It has now grown to become one of the world’s largest online gaming sites. In the United Kingdom, you can’t watch a football match without seeing a Bet365 advertisement.

5. Cher Wang (Net Worth: $1.6 Billion)

Cher Wang by VIA Gallery from Wikimedia Commons

Cher Wang is one of the co-founders of HTC, a well-known mobile technology firm. Cher was born in 1958 and graduated from the University of California with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1981. Cher Wang joined the business ‘First International Computer’ only a year later, and after co-founding VIA in 1987, she went on to co-found HTC in 1997.

Cher was listed on Forbes’ world’s billionaires list in 2010, 2011, and 2012, with a net worth of 1.6 billion dollars. In 2012, she was included on their list of the world’s most influential women.

Cher Wang is undoubtedly one of the most successful and well-known female entrepreneurs, and HTC is now a major competitor to Apple, Sony, and Samsung in the mobile technology industry.

6. Wang Laichun (Net Worth: $1.5 Billion)

Wang Laichun is the chairman of Luxshare, a Chinese electronics company that provides many of Apple’s components. She was dubbed “one of the world’s youngest self-made female billionaires” when she first broke the barrier of becoming a billionaire.

Wan Laichun co-founded the firm with her brother in 2004, and her net worth is currently believed to be at $1.5 billion.

7. Sara Blakely (Net Worth: $1 Billion)

Sara Blakely by Gillian Zoe Segal-from Wikimedia Commons

Sara Blakely is the founder of Spanx, a multi-million dollar undergarment company. Blakely did not have that much money to invest when founding Spanx. It really is a true example of why she’s one of the most famous female entrepreneurs. Sara’s idea was rejected numerous times by potential investors and it took a great deal of hard work to get the company off the ground.

In fact, during the initial marketing of the brand, it was compliments from Oprah Winfrey that drove up awareness and sales of Sara’s products.

8. Sheryl Sandberg (Net Worth: $1 Billion)

Sheryl Sandberg is the COO of Facebook and an American technology executive, author, and activist. In addition, she serves on the boards of The Walt Disney Company, Women for Women International, the Center for Global Development, and V-Day.

Sheryl Sandberg was named one of Time Magazine’s top 100 most important people in the world in 2012, and she currently has a net worth of $1 billion, making her one of the most successful and well-known female entrepreneurs in the world.

9. Beyonce (Net Worth: $450 Million)

Beyonce Knowles by Jonathas Davi from Wikimedia Commons

Beyonce and Jay-Z have a combined net worth of over a billion dollars. Not bad given the music business is both their major source of revenue and their primary source of income. Beyonce’s personal fortune is believed to be $450 million out of her billion-dollar net worth.

Beyonce’s income has come from a variety of sources, including sponsorships, investments, and her own clothing brand, in addition to all of the honours and attention she has won for her music. Beyonce and Jay-Z are unquestionably in the same “empire state of mind,” and they are among the world’s wealthiest couples.

10. Indra Nooyi (Net Worth: $144 Million)

Indra Nooyi is an American business executive who was born on October 28, 1955. PepsiCo now employs Indra as its CEO. She joined the firm in 1994, rose through the ranks to become CFO in 2001, and then CEO in 2006.

If you’re a businesswoman and you’re starting out your career you may understand the struggles of trying to connect with other inspiring women who are just as ambitious as you are.

11. Sofia Vergara (Net Worth: $37 Million)

Toglenn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sofia Vergara is not only an accomplished actress and model who has worked with brands like Head & Shoulders, Diet Pepsi, and Cover Girl over the years, but she is also a successful female entrepreneur.

Sofia is one of the co-founders of the talent management and entertainment marketing company Latin Global Entertainment. Through her various research works, she earned a staggering $37 million the previous year.

12. Arianna Huffington (Net Worth: $100 million)

Arianna Huffington founded The Huffington Post, and even after selling it to AOL for $315 million, she continues to play a significant role in the day-to-day operations of the business.

The website’s header now includes a picture of Arianna, who is also a successful author and the brains behind the book Thrive: The Third Metric to Success. Around $50 million is the estimated net worth of Arianna Huffington.

13. Debbie Fields (Net Worth: $65.5 million)

One of the biggest suppliers of fresh cookies in America today, Mrs Fields Bakeries, was founded in 1977 by Debbie Fields. Since starting the company, Debbie has been able to grow it into 11 different nations, with about 650 bakeries in the United States and 80 more abroad.

14. Susan Wojcicki ($350 Million)

TechCrunch, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Susan Wojcicki was raised in California and attended Harvard University to study history and literature. Larry Page and Sergey Brin launched Google in Susan’s garage in 1998, and a year later Susan was hired as the company’s first marketing manager. Susan Wojcicki, who oversaw Google’s acquisition of YouTube, now serves as the company’s CEO.

15. Wang Laichun ($1.5 billion)

The chairman of the Chinese electronics company Luxshare, which provides a large portion of Apple’s parts, is Wang Laichun. She was listed as one of the world’s youngest self-made female billionaires when she first broke the barrier of becoming a billionaire. Wan Laichun and her brother acquired the business in 2004, and as of right present, her net worth is estimated to be at $1.5 billion.

However, reading about other experienced women who are already established in their professions could be beneficial especially when you’re feeling demotivated or you’re constantly surrounded by people who claim that it is impossible to be super-wealthy as women, the above list of amazing women proves that there’s nothing that’s impossible. 

16. Melanie Perkins (Net Worth: $4.4 Billion)

Web Summit, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Melanie Perkins is the billionaire co-founder and CEO of the technology company Canva, which she started with Cliff Obrecht. She owns 18% of the hugely successful online design platform.

Perkins achieved remarkable success at a very young age, becoming one of the youngest women to lead a tech startup valued at over A$1 billion. As of 2021, she was ranked among Australia’s wealthiest women due to her significant stake in the thriving company.

17. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Net Worth: $2.7 Billion)

Science History Institute, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is an Indian billionaire and entrepreneur. She founded and serves as the executive chairperson of Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics Limited, leading biotechnology companies headquartered in Bangalore, India.

Previously, she chaired the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. In recognition of her remarkable contributions to scientific progress and chemistry, Mazumdar-Shaw received the prestigious Othmer Gold Medal in 2014.

She has been honored in multiple listings, including the Financial Times’ Top 50 Women in Business in 2011, and ranked 68th on Forbes’ list of the world’s most powerful women in 2019.

Her entrepreneurial achievements were further celebrated when she was named EY World Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020. Mazumdar-Shaw is married to John Shaw.

18. Tory Burch (Net Worth: $1.3 Billion)

User: Alms1119, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tory Burch is an American fashion designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She founded and leads Tory Burch LLC, serving as both Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of her eponymous fashion brand.

Burch’s business acumen and creative vision have propelled her company’s success, earning her recognition as one of the world’s most influential women. In 2020, Forbes ranked her as the 88th most powerful woman globally.

Beyond her professional achievements, Burch is also actively involved in philanthropic endeavors, leveraging her platform to make a positive impact. Her multifaceted career spans design, business leadership, and giving back to society.

19. Mary Barra (Net Worth: $90 million)

US Government, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Mary Teresa Barra made history as the first female CEO of a “Big Three” automaker when she assumed the helm of General Motors in January 2014. Before her groundbreaking appointment, Barra held the position of executive vice president, overseeing global product development, purchasing, and supply chain operations.

Her ascent to the top leadership role at GM was a significant milestone, shattering longstanding gender barriers in the traditionally male-dominated automotive industry.

Barra’s achievement as the chair and CEO of one of the world’s largest and most iconic automakers has inspired women worldwide and paved the way for greater gender diversity in corporate leadership.

20. Ruth Porat (Net Worth: $502 million)

GES 2016, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Ruth Porat, a British-American business leader, has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Alphabet and its subsidiary Google since 2015. Before joining the tech giant, she held the CFO position at Morgan Stanley from 2010 to 2015.

Porat’s exceptional financial acumen and leadership have earned her widespread recognition. In 2020, Forbes ranked her as the 16th most powerful woman globally, while Fortune’s 2023 list of Most Powerful Women placed her at an impressive eighth position.

Her influential roles at prominent companies like Alphabet/Google and Morgan Stanley have solidified Porat’s reputation as a trailblazer in the corporate world.

21. Safra Catz (Net Worth: $1.8 billion)

Benjamin Applebaum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Safra Catz, an Israeli-American billionaire, is the CEO of Oracle Corporation, a leading technology company. Her journey at Oracle began in 1999 when she joined as an executive, subsequently becoming a board member in 2001.

In 2011, Catz was appointed co-president and chief financial officer, reporting directly to the company’s founder, Larry Ellison. Three years later, she and Mark Hurd were named joint CEOs after Ellison’s stepping down.

Following Hurd’s resignation due to health reasons in 2019, Catz assumed the role of sole CEO. Her ascent to the top leadership position at the tech giant is a testament to her business acumen.

22. Caterina Fake (Net Worth: $25 million)

Popscreenshot, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Caterina Fake is an accomplished American entrepreneur known for co-founding influential internet companies. In 2004, she co-created Flickr, the pioneering photo-sharing website that became immensely popular.

Three years later, Fake launched Hunch, an online recommendation engine. Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Fake has served as a trustee for non-profit organizations and previously chaired the board of the e-commerce platform Etsy.

Her innovative work in establishing Flickr earned her a spot on Time magazine’s prestigious Time 100 list. Within the Silicon Valley tech community, Fake has gained recognition for her astute angel investments in promising startups.

Her trailblazing career has cemented her status as a prominent figure in the digital business landscape.

23. Sophia Amoruso (Net Worth: $280 million)

TechCrunch, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sophia Amoruso is an American entrepreneur best known for founding the women’s fashion retailer Nasty Gal. The company’s meteoric growth earned it a spot on Inc. Magazine’s “fastest growing companies” list in 2012.

Amoruso’s success propelled her onto Forbes’ ranking of the world’s richest self-made women in 2016. However, Nasty Gal eventually filed for bankruptcy. Undeterred, Amoruso established Girlboss Media in 2017, aimed at creating empowering content for millennial women to thrive personally and professionally.

Her 2014 autobiography #GIRLBOSS, chronicling her entrepreneurial journey, was adapted into a Netflix television series, further amplifying her influential voice and inspiring a new generation of women.

24. Divya Gokulnath (Net Worth: $3.05 billion)

RISE, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Divya Gokulnath is an Indian innovator who has made significant strides in the education sector. As the co-founder and director of Byju’s, an ed-tech company established in 2012 in Bangalore, she has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the way students learn.

Byju leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver engaging and personalized educational content, catering to the evolving needs of learners. Gokulnath’s entrepreneurial vision and dedication have been instrumental in the company’s rapid growth and success.

Her contributions have not only transformed the educational landscape in India but have also inspired educators globally to embrace innovative teaching methodologies and empower students through tech-driven learning experiences.

25. Emma Walmsley (Net Worth: $28 million)

FlyingFoxBoi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dame Emma Natasha Walmsley is the current Chief Executive Officer of the global pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). She took over the leadership role in 2017, succeeding Sir Andrew Witty upon his retirement.

Before joining GSK, Walmsley spent 17 years at L’Oréal, gaining extensive experience in the consumer goods industry. She also served as a non-executive director at Diageo until 2016. Walmsley’s journey began in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England, where she grew up before embarking on her remarkable career path.

As the CEO of one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, she now spearheads GSK’s strategic direction and operations, driving innovation and growth in the healthcare sector. Her ascent to this prominent position is a testament to her leadership skills and industry expertise.

26. Gail Boudreaux (Net Worth: $235 million)

Tod Martens, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gail Koziara Boudreaux is a distinguished American business leader and former college athlete. During her time at Dartmouth from 1978 to 1982, she excelled in basketball.

Boudreaux went on to have an illustrious corporate career, holding executive positions at prominent companies like Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois, and UnitedHealth Group. Her exceptional leadership and strategic acumen have earned her widespread recognition, including being ranked 10th on Forbes’ list of “The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women” in 2020.

Additionally, she secured a place on Fortune’s powerful women list from 2008 to 2014, peaking at No. 25. After establishing her healthcare consulting firm, GKB Global Health, LLC, in 2015, Boudreaux achieved another milestone in 2017 by becoming the CEO of Elevance Health, the second-largest American company led by a woman.

27. Huda Kattan (Net Worth: $560 million)

Huda Kattan is an American makeup artist, beauty blogger, and entrepreneur. After moving to Dubai in 2006, she later studied makeup in Los Angeles and worked with celebrities before returning to Dubai as a Revlon artist. In 2010, Kattan started her beauty blog “Huda Beauty,” sharing tutorials.

Three years later, she founded the hugely successful Huda Beauty cosmetics line, launching false eyelashes through Sephora. Her brand’s popularity skyrocketed, thanks to products worn by stars like Kim Kardashian. Kattan amassed over 47 million Instagram followers and topped influencer lists, earning up to $18,000 per sponsored post.

Time magazine named her one of the 25 most influential people on the internet in 2017, cementing her status as a beauty mogul and social media powerhouse.

28. JK Rowling (Net Worth: $1 billion)

Daniel Ogren, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

J.K. Rowling is a British author and philanthropist renowned for the Harry Potter fantasy series, which spawned a massive global media franchise making her a successful businesswoman. Her books have sold over 600 million copies across 84 languages.

After conceiving the idea for Harry Potter on a delayed train in 1990, Rowling persevered through personal struggles before the first book’s publication in 1997. Six sequels followed, cementing her status as one of the world’s highest-paid authors by 2008.

Beyond writing, Rowling actively supports charitable causes focused on medical research, and underprivileged women and children through initiatives like Lumos and the Volant Charitable Trust. Her outspoken views on transgender rights have sparked controversy, with both criticism from LGBTQ+ groups and support from some feminists.

29. Vera Wang (Net Worth: $650 million)

The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Originally an aspiring figure skater, Vera Wang transitioned into the fashion world, working for Vogue and Ralph Lauren before opening her bridal boutique in 1990.

This pivotal move paved the way for her global recognition as a renowned wedding gown designer, with countless celebrities donning her exquisite creations. Capitalizing on her success, Wang diversified her brand to encompass ready-to-wear collections, accessories, fragrances, and home goods.

Her ability to seamlessly traverse different realms, from athletics to high fashion, has been a hallmark of her remarkable journey. Wang’s unwavering commitment to her craft has solidified her status as an iconic force in the fashion industry.

30. Martha Stewart (Net Worth: $400 million)

Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Martha Stewart is a renowned American businesswoman and media personality. She founded Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, focusing on home and hospitality. Through various ventures like publishing, broadcasting, merchandising, and e-commerce, she built a successful media empire.

However, in 2004, she was convicted of felony charges related to the ImClone stock trading case and served a five-month prison sentence.

Despite speculation about the end of her career, Stewart staged a remarkable comeback, regaining profitability for her company in 2006 and rejoining its board in 2011 and as chairwoman in 2012. Her company was eventually acquired by Sequential Brands in 2015.

31. Cath Kidston (Net Worth: $5 million)

Catherine Kidston is an English fashion designer and businesswoman known for her nostalgic floral patterns. She founded Cath Kidston Limited, which sells home furnishings and related goods online, through franchises, and by mail order.

Kidston opened her first shop in London’s Holland Park in 1993, initially selling hand-embroidered tea towels. By the end of 2013, her company had expanded to 136 outlets, including a flagship store on Piccadilly and four stores in China.

Kidston’s distinctive style has been described as provoking a “Marmite reaction,” with people either loving it or disliking it intensely. In 2010, she sold a majority stake in her company to private equity investors while retaining a minority stake and remaining the Creative Director.

Kidston’s designs gained further popularity when Prince George was photographed wearing one of her outfits, which quickly sold out.

32. Angie Hicks (Net Worth: $190 million)

Office of Senator Todd Young, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Angie Hicks is the Chief Customer Officer of ANGI Homeservices Inc. and the co-founder of Angie’s List (now known as Angi). In 1995, after interning at a venture capital firm, Hicks was hired by venture capitalist Bill Oesterle to start Columbus Neighbors, a call-in service and publication with reviews of local home services in Columbus, Ohio.

After recruiting over 1,000 members in one year, the company was renamed Angie’s List. In 1996, it acquired a similar company in Indianapolis and moved its headquarters there in 1999. In 2017, IAC announced plans to acquire Angie’s List and combine it with HomeAdvisor to form ANGI Homeservices Inc., a digital marketplace connecting consumers with service professionals for home projects.

Hicks became the Chief Customer Officer of the new company. She has served on various boards, including the Techpoint Board of Directors, The Governor Bob Orr Indiana Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program, and the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors until 2016.

33. Jennifer Hyman (Net Worth: $300 million)

TechCrunch, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Jennifer Hyman is the CEO and co-founder of Rent the Runway, a company that rents out high-end clothing and accessories. She conceived the idea in 2008 after witnessing her sister’s struggle to purchase an expensive dress for a one-time occasion.

Hyman co-founded Rent the Runway in 2009. A significant milestone in her career was taking the company public, becoming the 30th woman ever to do so as a founder/CEO, along with a female COO and CFO.

Before Rent the Runway, Hyman worked in various roles, including running an online advertising sales team, creating a wedding business for a hotel chain, and serving as a business development director for IMG’s fashion division.

She actively participates in conferences and panel discussions on topics like the economy, women in business, and company culture. Hyman has spoken out against sexual harassment in the tech industry and shared her personal experience.

She serves on the Board of Directors of the Estée Lauder Companies and the Women. nyc Advisory Board.

34. Yang Lan (Net Worth: $296 million)

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Yang Lan is a prominent Chinese media figure, serving as the co-founder and chairperson of the Sun Media Group and the Sun Culture Foundation. She has made significant contributions as a journalist and talk show host.

Yang Lan’s achievements have earned her recognition, with Forbes magazine ranking her among the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World in 2013, placing her at number 100. Her leadership roles in the media and cultural spheres have positioned her as an influential figure in China’s media landscape.

Through her work at the Sun Media Group and the Sun Culture Foundation, Yang Lan has played a pivotal role in shaping public discourse and promoting cultural initiatives in the country.

35. Rihanna (Net Worth: $1.4 billion)

SIGMA, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a Barbadian singer, businesswoman, and actress. She gained mainstream recognition with her first two albums, and her third album, “Good Girl Gone Bad,” established her as a major music icon.

Rihanna has continued to blend pop, dance, and R&B genres, scoring numerous chart-topping singles and albums.

With over 250 million records sold worldwide, she is the second-best-selling female music artist of all time and has won numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards. Aside from music, Rihanna is recognized for her humanitarian work, entrepreneurship with Fenty Beauty and Fenty fashion house, and acting roles.

She was appointed as a Barbadian ambassador and declared a National Hero in 2021.