Lifestyle

Ten Of The Richest Women In The World

by Kendall Wood

Enough about the men. Who runs the world? Girls. As women, we have the power to empower -- not only ourselves, but the rest of the female population, included. The world would be nothing without women. Literally, we are what makes society thrive and continue to grow.

We're bringing you ten of the richest women in the world and how they earned their fortunes. Our advice to women everywhere? Do not undervalue yourself. Do not give into social stereotypes. Do not be jealous of the fortunes of others. Instead of socializing, smoking and drinking like so many Gen-Y'ers love to do, get out there and put in the hard work to build your own empire that could soon be worth billions.

1) Lilian Bettencourt

Bettencourt has accumulated $30 billion from her family's 30 percent stake in the beauty company, Loreal. The 90 year old, who suffers from dementia, currently resides in France as the richest woman in the world.

2) Christy Walton

After she inherited her husband John Walton's stake in the WalMart empire when he died in an airplane crash in 2005, Christy Walton became the second richest woman in the world. When the WalMart stock jumped in 2012, Walton saw a $3 billion increase in her assets and now has a net worth of about $28.2 billion.

3) Alice Walton

The third richest woman in the world is another member of the Walton family, Alice Walton. The daughter of WalMart co-founder, Sam Walton, Alice is the Walton family's most generous philanthropist, with a net worth valued at $26.3 billion.

In no particular order…

4) Georgina Rinehart

Rinehart's net worth of $17 billion can be attributed to her Australia mining industry, which makes her the richest woman in the Asia-Pacific region.

5) Jacqueline Mars

Jacqueline Mars has been a co-owner of Mars candy with her brothers, John and Forrest Jr, since their father died in 1999. Mars is the largest candy company in the world, putting Jacqueline's net worth at $17 billion.

6) Susanne Klatten

Susanne Klatten, who inherited a 12.6 percent stake in BMW from her deceased father, Herbert Quandt, is Germany's richest woman. In combination with her mother and brother, the Klatten family owns about 50 percent of the entire company, and Susanne's net worth is valued at $14.3 billion.

7) Abigail Johnson

Abigail Johnson was named president of Fidelity Financial Services in August 2012, making her one of the most powerful women in finance. Currently, Johnson oversees the asset management, brokerage and retirement and benefits services units of Fidelity Investments, but she is in the position to take over as CEO of the company when her father, who is 82, steps down. Johnson's net worth clocks in at $12.7 billion.

8. Miuccia Prada

Miuccia Prada is the fashion mogul behind the Italian luxury brand, Prada. Miuccia, along with her husband, Patrizio Bertelli, took over the company from her grandfather and has since racked up a net worth of $12.4 billion.

9) Anne Cox Chambers

Anne Cox Chambers is the heiress to the Cox Enterprises empire, which includes Cox Communications, Cox Media Group, Manheim and Auto-Trader.com. Chambers is worth $12 billion, and even though she's 93 years old, she continues to sit in on the board of Cox Enterprises.

10) Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken

Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken is the beer heiress of the Heineken brand. After her father passed more than a decade ago, Charlene inherited a 25 percent stake in the Dutch brewing company and is estimated to have a net worth of $11 billion.

via Forbes, Photos via WENN/Linkedin