The list of the top ten richest American women contains a number of household names, along with a few women who are relatively unknown to most people. These women and their wealth sources span a number of different industries from candy to technology. The Cox, Walton, and Duncan families enjoy a dynastic presence on the list and each occupies multiple places on the top ten list. The data was compiled from Forbes
1. Alice Walton (Net Worth $38.2 billion)
She is not only the richest American woman, but the richest woman in the world. Alice has a net worth of $38.2 billion as of Oct 17, 2017. Ms. Walton is the daughter of Sam Walton and Helen Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart. She was reported to own over $11BN in Walmart shares. Alice Walton received her education at Trinity University, earning a BA in finance and economics. After her graduation, she started working as a money manager and equity analyst for First Commerce Inc. Alice had an interest in art since childhood, and played an important part in the development of the Crystal Bridges Art Museum in Arkansas. She opened Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in her hometown, Bentonville, Arkansas. The museum features works from the likes of Andy Warhol, Norman Rockwell and Mark Rothko. Her personal collection is valued in the hundreds of millions.
2. Jacqueline Mars (Net Worth $25.5 billion)
Jacqueline Mars is the second richest woman and 16th richest American valued at over $25B. Jacqueline is a one-third owner of the world’s largest candymaker in the world, Mars. Born in Oct 1939, she graduated Bryn Mawr College in 1961 with a degree in anthropology. Ms Mars worked for the company for nearly 20 years and served on the board until 2016. She is a well-known philanthropist and serves on six boards including at the Smithsonian and the National Archives. Her brother John owns one third of Mars, as did her brother Forrest Jr., until his death in July 2016.
3. Laurene Powell Jobs (Net Worth $19.4 billion)
Laurene Jobs was born in 1963. She is the widow of Apple Inc former CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs. She started her career by working as a trading strategist at Goldman Sachs and received her MBA from the prestigious Stanford University. Laurene has an estimated net worth of $19.4 billion. Powell is also the founder of the Emerson Collective, which assists organizations and individuals working in immigration reform, education, conservation and social justice.
4. Abigail Johnson (Net Worth $16 billion)
Abigail is the chief executive officer of Fidelity Investments and was born in 1961.The company is based in Boston and was founded in 1946 by Edward Johnson, her grandfather, and is privately held. She has a net worth of $16 billion. Johnson received her MBA from Harvard University and worked at Fidelity Investments as a portfolio manager and analyst. She worked her way gradually to senior management. Abigail is currently serving as an active member on the board of directors of Capital Markets Committee and the Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association.
5. Blair Parry-Okeden (Net Worth $12 billion)
Blair was born in 1952, and is James Cox’s granddaughter and also the niece of Ann Chambers. She inherited an ownership stake of 25% in Cox Enterprises on the death of her mother. Blair has an estimated fortune of $12 billion. However, she does not active take part in the management of Cox Enterprises.
6. Katharine Rayner (Net Worth $8 billion)
Katharine inherited an estimated seventeen percent ownership stake in an automotive and media conglomerate Cox Enterprises on the death of her mother Ann Chambers. Cox Enterprises is a privately held company incorporated by Rayner’s grandfather with revenue of more than $20 billion. Katharine and her siblings do not play an active part in the management of the company. She has a net worth of $8 billion.
7. Margaretta Taylor (Net Worth $7.9 billion)
Taylor inherited an estimated seventeen percent ownership stake in an automotive and media conglomerate Cox Enterprises on the death of her mother Ann Chambers. The company was founded by her grandfather James Cox in 1989. She has a net worth of $7.9 billion. Like Katharine, Margaretta does not play an active part in the management of the company.
8. Pauline Macmillan Keinath (Net Worth $7.5 billion)
Pauline Keinath is one of the largest shareholders of Cargill, the biggest food company. She has an estimated twelve percent stake in the company and has a net worth of $7.5 billion. Whitney MacMillan, her brother, was the last family member to act as the CEO of the company; however, he retired in 1996.
Her grandfather founded the company in 1865.
9. Marijke Mars (Net Worth $6.3 billion)
Mars has an estimated net worth of $6.3 billion which she mostly derived from Mars Inc, one of the largest confectioners in the world. The privately held company based in Virginia makes candy, pet chow, chewing gum and packaged foods. The company has revenues of more than $35 billion. Marijke purchased Wrigley in 2008. This acquisition was co-financed by the famous Warren Buffett.
10. Pamela Mars (Net Worth $6.3 billion)
Pamela Mars is one of the heirs of the Mars family. Along with her sisters she inherited about 8% ownership stake in Mars Inc. on the death of her father, Mars Jr. in 2016. She also has an estimated net worth of $6.3 billion. Pamela has played various roles in the family company since her initial job in 1986. At present, she acts as the ambassador of the family to the company’s pet care division. Mars Inc. acquired an animal hospital chain in September 2017.
In a number of respects, the top ten richest American women is not a diverse group. All of them are white and inherited the majority of their wealth. Another similarity is that all these women are more than 40 years old. In addition, most of them do not play an active part in the direction or management of their companies from which they derive the bulk of their wealth.