Wealth grew for most top women

Most of the world's richest women saw their wealth grow over the past year. Their fortunes come from founding companies or inheriting stakes in major businesses across industries from cosmetics to building supplies.

US dominates the top twenty

Most of the top twenty richest women in the world hail from the US. The ranking comes from Forbes' World's Billionaires List, which captured wealth as of March first, twenty twenty six.

Women remain a small share

Women comprised fourteen percent of the Forbes' World's Billionaires List. The ranking shows a snapshot of wealth from March first, twenty twenty six, compiled from Forbes' methodology and data.

How Forbes measures wealth

Forbes estimates net worth using assets such as stakes in public and private companies, real estate, and other holdings. It accounts for factors including debt and charitable giving in its calculations.

Family wealth counted together

In some cases, Forbes counts wealth held by a founder or heir's immediate family, identifying those entries with and family. Source refers to the main source of the individual's wealth.

Combined fortune of eight hundred eighty six billion

The twenty richest women in the world hold a combined wealth of eight hundred eighty six billion dollars, including wealth held by some immediate family members. This represents the top tier of global female wealth.

“With a combined wealth of $886 billion, including that of some immediate family members, here are the 20 richest women in the world”