1 - Françoise Bettencourt Meyers
The French businesswoman has been the world’s wealthiest woman for the last three years. According to the estimates, Françoise Bettencourt-Meyers' net worth exceeds $80 billion. It has expanded by $5.7 billion from a year ago. The businesswoman managed to get such a hefty sum due to the growth of L'Oreal stocks. Betancourt-Meyers inherited the company's assets in 2017 and is now the cosmetics giant's largest shareholder. Over the past 12 months, L'Oreal securities have jumped by 12%.
2 - Julia Koch
Julia Koch, an American socialite and philanthropist, lost $1 billion in 2022. Despite this, she managed to gain one position on the Forbes list. Julia Koch's net worth is estimated at $59 billion. The main income comes from Koch Industries, a diversified holding company. Koch inherited more than 40% of the company in 2019 after the death of her husband David. Julia Koch also runs the charitable foundation created by her husband. She continues to donate large sums to organizations that fight poverty and help addicts.
3 - Alice Walton
Alice Louise Walton is an American heiress to the fortune of Walmart. In the early 90s, she inherited a share in Walmart after her father Sam Walton, who was the founder of the company, died. According to the estimates, Alice Walton’s net worth stands at nearly $57 billion. Compared to 2022, her capital shrank by $8 billion. As a result, Walton slipped on the Forbes list as the company posted a record drop in the value of shares due to poor financial performance.
4 - Jacqueline Mars
Jacqueline Mars is an American heiress and investor whose net worth gained $6.6 billion over the last 12 months and now exceeds $38 billion. Mars, a food conglomerate, is the entrepreneur's key source of income. The company produces sweets, beverages, instant food, and pet food. Today, Jacqueline and her brother John own about a third of the company’s shares. Despite her age of 83, the billionaire is still a member of the company’s steering board.
5 - Miriam Adelson
Miriam Adelson, the heiress of the Las Vegas Sands gambling empire, closes the top 5 of the world's wealthiest businesswomen. Two years ago, she received a stake in the company after the death of her husband Sheldon. Today, Miriam is the major shareholder of the Las Vegas Sands. The businesswoman’s net worth is $35 billion, which is $7.5 billion more than a year ago. Thanks to such a solid increase, Miriam Adelson gained two positions on the Forbes list.
Economic inequality remains one of the most pressing issues in today's world. To measure the gap between the rich and the poor in each country, the Gini index is used. This coefficient reflects how income is distributed within a society: the closer the index is to 100, the greater the inequality. Let's explore which countries currently have the highest Gini index values
This year has been pivotal for Bitcoin, the world's leading cryptocurrency. One of the key milestones was the approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. In April 2024, Bitcoin also experienced a halving event, which is typically seen as a positive development for the digital asset. This year, the cryptocurrency is up 57%, and analysts remain optimistic about its future. However, they highlight four key factors that could influence Bitcoin's trajectory, both for better and for worse
Analytical periodical US News and World Report has presented its ranking of the best countries in the world in terms of quality of life, based on a survey of nearly 17,000 people. The list considers factors such as economic and political stability, a strong labor market, income equality, family-friendliness, safety, the quality of education, and healthcare systems. Let's find out which countries made it to the top of this list.
