Meet 10 of the world's richest women, worth a combined $500 billion

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, with a net worth of $100 billion, is the highest-placed woman on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index in 15th spot.

Her grandfather, Eugène Schueller, founded the French cosmetics giant L'Oréal and she inherited a one-third stake from her mother.

Bettencourt Meyers, 70, is known for her intellectual pursuits — even writing books on Greek mythology and Bible commentaries — and her philanthropy. The Bettencourt Schueller Foundation supports scientific research, arts, and humanitarian projects.

Alice Walton, 74, inherited her wealth from her father, who founded Walmart.

Unlike her brothers Jim and Rob, who are more directly involved in Walmart's operations, Alice has focused on the arts and charitable activities, including promoting education and conservation.

Her wealth has increased by just over $13 billion this year as Walmart's share price has risen by more than a fifth. Alice is in 19th place on the Bloomberg list, just behind her brothers.

Julia Flesher Koch's husband David was a cofounder of Koch Industries, and she became a billionaire when he died in 2019.

The 62-year-old contributes to causes including education, medical research, and the arts. and serves on the board of several charities.

Jacqueline Badger Mars' grandfather founded the candy, pet care, and food conglomerate that bears the family's name. Press-shy and limelight-avoidant, the Mars family remains somewhat mysterious.

The 84-year-old has been on the Mars board of directors, and has also sat on the boards of the National Archives and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

Mars and her ex-husband David Badger have three children. Their son Stephen has been on the Mars board since 2010.

MacKenzie Scott is the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. When the couple divorced in 2019, she received a settlement worth $38 billion.

Scott has since donated billions of dollars to a wide range of causes, including racial equality, LGBTQ+ rights, public health, and education, and has "revolutionized philanthropy," says the CEO of one charity that received a donation from Scott.

She's also written two novels.

Abigail Johnson, 62, is the CEO of Fidelity Investments, one of the world's largest financial firms that was founded by her grandfather. She has a one-third stake in its parent company, FMR, and succeeded her father as CEO in 2014.

Johnson, who holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, is also known for pushing for women's opportunities in the financial world.

Miriam Adelson, 78, is the widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, and inherited a significant portion of his fortune when he died in 2021.

She cofounded a clinic that specializes in treating substance abuse and has been a prominent supporter of medical research and Jewish causes.

Adelson is also known for her political donations, particularly to conservative and pro-Israel groups, and was awarded the presidential Medal of Freedom by Donald Trump in 2018.

Iris Fontbona, 81, was married to Andrónico Luksic, one of Chile's wealthiest people.

Following his death in 2005, Fontbona inherited his stake in the copper-mining giant Antofagasta, as well as positions in his banks and beverage companies.

Savitri Jindal's family owns the Jindal Group, one of India's largest conglomerates, with steel, mining, power, and infrastructure businesses.

The 74-year-old is the widow of the group's founder O.P. Jindal and inherited a significant share of his wealth when he died in 2005, putting her in 55th spot on the Bloomberg list.

Jindal is also actively involved in politics, having served as a member of the Haryana state's Legislative Assembly.

Susanne Klatten, one of Germany's richest people, has about 20% of BMW after interiting stakes in the car maker from both her father and mother.

She also inherited her father's stake in the pharmaceuticals and chemicals manufacturer Altana.

Klatten, 62, holds various leadership positions in her family's business empire and also donates money through her philanthropic foundation, the SKala Initiative.