Who Are The Richest Women In The Us
Last Tuesday, my friend Sarah was browsing online for a new couch — maybe something under $500. While she scrolled, a news headline caught her eye: "A woman in America just ad...
Last Tuesday, my friend Sarah was browsing online for a new couch — maybe something under $500. While she scrolled, a news headline caught her eye: "A woman in America just added $3.8 billion to her fortune overnight."
Sarah closed the tab, looked at me, and said, "And here I am debating whether to spring for the $12 cushion." We both laughed.
But honestly, that moment got me thinking — who exactly are these power women sitting on fortunes that most of us can't even properly visualize? So, I went down the rabbit hole. Buckle up.
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The Ladies Who Own the Billion-Dollar Club
First up, let's talk about MacKenzie Scott. Yes, that MacKenzie — ex-wife of Jeff Bezos and someone who decided that hoarding wealth just wasn't her vibe.
After her divorce settlement, she walked away with enough money to fund a small country. But instead of buying yachts and penthouses, she started giving it away at lightning speed. Honestly?
Watching her donate billions while the rest of us clip coupons is about as humbling as it gets. (Can someone tell my wallet to start a GoFundMe page?)
Alice Walton and Her Art-Loving Wallet
Next on our list is Alice Walton, the daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton. With a net worth hovering around $70 billion, she's often considered the wealthiest self-made American woman.
Well, "self-made" is doing some heavy lifting there, but let's not argue semantics over brunch. She's poured much of her fortune into art and education, founding the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas.
Top 3 Richest Women in the United States (2022) - Jay Influencer
Meanwhile, I'm over here still trying to decide if a $30 print from IKEA counts as "high art."
Julia Koch: The Quiet Giant
Then there's Julia Koch, the widow of industrialist David Koch. After his passing, she inherited a massive stake in Koch Industries, pushing her net worth well past $60 billion.
She's not exactly splashing across tabloid covers — she keeps a pretty low profile. Which, fair enough, because if I had that kind of money, I'd probably disappear to a private island and never answer emails again.
Jacqueline Mars: Sweet Fortune
And let's not forget Jacqueline Mars, heiress to the Mars candy empire. Yes — the company behind Snickers, M&Ms, and every Halloween treat your dentist secretly hates.
Her fortune sits comfortably in the $37 billion range. So the next time you eat a Snickers to "satisfy hunger," just remember: you're enriching an American billionaire.
The 10 Richest Women in America | Money
(You're welcome, Jacqueline. 😄)
Ralph Lauren's Other Half: Patrice and More Diverse Voices
More recently, names like Zhong Shanshan's American-based ventures and increased visibility of women like Diane Hendricks have added fresh energy to the list. Diane, co-founder of ABC Supply Co., is now one of America's richest self-made women with a fortune near $19 billion.
Think about that — she built a building materials company from a garage with her late husband. Started in Wisconsin, no less, not Silicon Valley.
Proof that you don't need a Stanford degree or a tech startup to join the big leagues.
What Do These Women Have in Common?
Aside from having bank accounts that could confuse a calculator, they share a few other traits. Most either inherited empires or built businesses with relentless determination.
The Richest And Famous In America In 2022 | The Richest Women | Top 10
Some, like Scott, actively choose to redistribute wealth rather than accumulate it indefinitely. Others keep building, investing, and expanding their legacies quietly behind the scenes.
And some — like Hendricks — prove that starting from humble beginnings still works if you refuse to quit.
Why Should We Care?
Look, I'm not here to make you feel guilty about your checking account. (Though, seriously, maybe check it.)
These stories matter because they reveal something bigger: the evolving face of American wealth includes women who are donating, disrupted industries, and redefining what power looks like.
They're complex, sometimes controversial, and definitely not boring. And if a billionaire reading decides to send $500 my way for a couch — just saying, Sarah and I are available.
