- Source of Wealth: Talk show host, Media proprietor, Actress
- Nationality: United States
Forbes released the 2012 list of billionaires, there are 21 women billionaires in the world. They have a combined total net worth of $248.6 billion. Last year had 20 women billionaires in the world with combined fortune of $232 billion.
While the majority of their wealth was inherited – just one woman in the top 22 has a self-made fortune (Oprah Winfrey) – -many are putting their money to good use in philanthropy.
Below is the richest women in United States:
1.Christy Walton, 57, & family
Source: Wal-Mart, U.S.
The widow of John Walton inherited her wealth after he died in an airplane accident in 2005. Repeating her 2010 title as world’s richest woman, she got an extra bump in her fortune because of her late husband’s early investment in First Solar; shares up nearly 500% since 2006 initial public offering.
2. Alice Walton, 62
Source: Walmart, U.S.
The Wal-Mart heiress’s Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art set to open in Bentonville, Ark., this November. Her father, Sam Walton (d. 1922), a former clerk, founded original Bentonville store with brother James 1962. Today Wal-Mart has sales of $405 billion, employs more than 2.1 million people.
3. Jacqueline Mars, 72
Source: Candy, pet food, U.S.
Cash-strapped consumers still have appetite for the Mars family’s nearly recession-proof products: chocolate (Snickers, M&Ms), pet food (Pedigree). Created world’s largest confectionery company by acquiring gum maker Wrigley in 2008 for $23 billion. Combined sales now exceed $30 billion.
4. Anne Cox Chambers, 92
Source: Cox Enterprises, U.S.
Daughter of Cox Enterprises founder James M. Cox (d. 1957), who finished high school at 17 and worked as a schoolteacher and newspaper reporter before shelling out $26,000 for the Dayton Evening News in 1898.
5. Abigail Johnson, 50
Source: Fidelity, U.S.
With father controls Fidelity Investments, America’s largest mutual fund company. Firm also boasts large brokerage business and insurance outfit. Father Ned joined his father’s company as analyst 1957, president 15 years later.
6. Laurene Powell Jobs & family
Net worth: $9 billion – As of March 2012
Source: Apple, Disney
The widow of Steve Jobs inherited her wealth after he died in October 2011. A fortune that was largely placed into living trusts near the end of her husband’s life.
7. Blair Parry-Okeden, 61
Net worth: $6.3 billion – As of March 2012
Source: Cox Enterprises, U.S.
Granddaughter of Cox Enterprises founder James M. Cox (d. 1957), Parry-Okeden inherited 25% stake in business after mother, Barbara Cox Anthony, passed away in 2007.
8. Dannine Avara, 48 (tie)
Net Worth: $4.1 Billion – As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Pipelines, Inherit
8. Milane Frantz, 42 (tie)
Net Worth: $4.1 Billion – As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Pipelines, Inherit
8. Randa Williams, 50 (tie)
Net Worth: $4.1 Billion As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Pipelines, Inherit
11. Ann Walton Kroenke,63
Net Worth: $3.9 Billion As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Wal-Mart, Inherit
12. Lynn Schusterman, 73
Net Worth: $3.5 Billion As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: oil & gas, investments, Inherit
13. Gayle Cook, 78 (tie)
Net Worth: $3.4 Billion As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Medical devices, Inherit
13. Nancy Walton Laurie, 60 (tie)
Net Worth: $3.4 Billion As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Wal-Mart, Inherit
15.Pauline MacMillan Keinath, 78 (tie)
Net Worth: $3.3 Billion As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Cargill Inc.
15.Donna MacMillan, 79 (tie)
Net Worth: $3.3 Billion As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Cargill Inc.
15.Whitney MacMillan, 83 (tie)
Net Worth: $3.3 Billion As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Cargill Inc.
17.Barbara Piasecka Johnson, 75
Net Worth: $3.2 Billion As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Johnson & Johnson, Inherit
18.Karen Pritzker, 54
Net Worth: $3.1 Billion As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: hotels, investments, Inherit
19. Martha Ingram & family, 76
Net Worth: $2.8 Billion As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: book distribution, transportation, Inherit
20. Tamara Gustavson, 50 (tie)
Net Worth: $2.7 Billion As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: self storage, Inherit
20.Oprah Winfrey, 58 (tie)
Net Worth: $2.7 Billion As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Television, self-made
Source: Forbes Magazine