Forbes
is an American publishing and media company. The magazine is well known
for its lists, including its lists of the richest Americans and its
list of billionaires. The motto of Forbes magazine is "The Capitalist
Tool." Forbes has recently 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 10 women billionaires in the
world with combined fortune of $232 billion. Now, take a look at those
top 10 richest women in the world.
1. Christy Walton, 57, family
Net worth: $25.3 billion As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Wal-Mart, United States
The
widow of John Walton, she inherited his fortune of $15.7 billion after
he died in an airplane accident in 2005. Regaining her 2010,2011 title
as worlds richest woman, she got an extra bump in her fortune because of
her late husbands early investment in First Solar; shares up nearly
500% since 2006 initial public offering.
2. Liliane Bettencourt, 89
Net worth: $24 billion -As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: L'Oreal, France
Frances
richest woman and the only child of Eugene Schueller, her late father
founded L'Oreal one of the worlds largest cosmetics and beauty
companies.
3. Alice Walton, 62
Net worth: $23.3 billion-As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Wal-Mart, United States
The
daughter of Wal-Mart co-founder, her father, Sam Walton (died in 1922),
a former clerk, founded original Bentonville store with his brother
James. Today Wal-Mart has sales of $405 billion, employs more than 2.1
million people.
4. Georgina Gina Rinehart, 58
Net worth: $18 billion-As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Mining, Australia
The
heiress of Hancock Prospecting and the daughter of the late mining
magnate Lang Hancock. She is the richest person in Australia and the
richest woman in Asia.
5. Iris Fontbona, 69, family
Net worth: $17.8 billion As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Mining, Chile
The
second wife, and now widow, of billionaire Andronico Luksic, who died
of cancer in 2005. The family controls Antofagasta, one of the worlds
largest copper miners. As of 2012, Iris Fontbona and her family have a
net worth of $17.8 billion.
6. Birgit Rausing, 88, family
Net worth: $14 billion- As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Packaging, Sweden
The
widow of Gad Rausing, after death of her husband in 2000, she inherited
the packaging giant Tetra Laval along with her three children. In 1944
her father-in-law founded the company, which revolutionized the
packaging of liquids such as juices and milk.
7. Jacqueline Mars, 72
Net worth: $13.8 billion -As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Candy, Pet food, United States
The
granddaughter of Frank C. Mars, founders of the American candy company
Mars, Incorporated. The company's products are chocolate (Snickers,
M&Ms) and pet food (Pedigree). The family has since created the
worlds largest confectionery company by acquiring gum maker Wrigley in
2008 for $23 billion.
8. Susanne Klatten, 49
Net worth: $13 billion -As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: BMW, pharmaceuticals, Germany
Susanne
Klatten is the daughter of Herbert Quandt, she inherited stake in
automaker BMW from late father Herbert Quandt, who rescued it from
bankruptcy in the early 1960s. Additionally, she is a trained economist
with an M.B.A., Klatten also inherited a 50% stake in chemical
manufacturer Altana and has since increased her control of the company
to 100% and delisted the company.
9. Anne Cox Chambers, 92
Net worth: $12.5 billion -As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Cox Enterprises, United States
The
daughter of Cox Enterprises founder James M. Cox (Died in 1957), who
finished high school at 17 and worked as a school teacher and newspaper
reporter before shelling out $26,000 for the Dayton Evening News in
1898.
10. Savitri Jindal, 62
Net worth: $10.9 billion As of March 2012
Source of Wealth: Steel, India
She
became the chairperson of O.P. Jindal Group (a steel and power
conglomerate) after her husband, Om Prakash Jindal, died in a helicopter
crash in 2005. Om Prakash Jindal founded the company in 1952.Savitri
Jindal and her four sons Prithviraj, Sajjan, Ratan and Naveen runs the
businesses.