The richest individuals lists, whether in the U.S. or globally, remain predominantly male, a reflection of historical gender disparities. From discriminatory workplace practices to being barred from obtaining credit cards until the 1970s, women have faced numerous obstacles to accumulating wealth. Even in 2024, women earn only $0.83 for every $1 earned by men, highlighting ongoing income inequality.
One trailblazer was Madam C.J. Walker, a pioneer in hair care and cosmetics for Black American women, who is widely recognized as the first self-made female millionaire in the U.S. However, today, self-made women account for less than 5% of the 500 wealthiest people globally, as reported by Bloomberg in May 2023. Gabriel Zucman, an economics professor at UC Berkeley, pointed out that the higher one ascends in wealth distribution, the lower the proportion of women, underscoring a deep-seated gender inequality at the top.
The growth rate of female billionaires is also lagging behind that of male billionaires. In fact, the number of male billionaires is increasing at twice the rate of female billionaires, reinforcing this disparity.
Stacker recently compiled a list of the richest women in America, using data from Forbes. These women, ranked by their net worth as of May 11, 2023, have accumulated their fortunes through diverse means. Some, like the Walton and Pritzker families, are heiresses who inherited wealth from family businesses. Others, such as Thai Lee, have built their fortunes from scratch. Additionally, women like Marian Ilitch of Little Caesars Pizza and MacKenzie Scott, who gained wealth through her marriage to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, have made significant economic impacts.
The economic influence of these women is undeniable, yet their journey reflects the broader challenges women face in achieving financial equality. As society progresses, the hope is that more women will break through the barriers that have historically kept them from reaching the upper echelons of wealth.
