Throughout the 20th century, many remarkable women amassed extraordinary wealth through inheritance, entrepreneurship, innovation, and industry leadership. This curated list features the 30 wealthiest women from 1900 to 1999, offering insight into their financial success, personal lives, and the lasting legacies they left behind in business, philanthropy, and popular culture.
30. Barbara Hutton (1912-1979)
Inherited approximately $50 million from Woolworth retail fortune (about $900 million in today’s dollars)
Known as the “Poor Little Rich Girl” despite her wealth
Married seven times, including to actor Cary Grant
Barbara Hutton’s extravagant lifestyle and multiple marriages dominated headlines for decades. Her wealth rapidly diminished through lavish spending and failed relationships. She died despite having one son, Lance, with only $3,500 remaining of her once-vast fortune.
29. Marjorie Merriweather Post (1887-1973)
Inherited $250 million from Post Cereal Company (approximately $5 billion today)
Owner of the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida
Major art collector and philanthropist
Marjorie transformed her father’s cereal business into the food giant General Foods. She built magnificent estates, including Hillwood in Washington, D.C., and amassed one of America’s finest Russian art collections. She married four times, had three daughters, and donated extensively to charitable causes.
28. Abby Rockefeller (1903-1976)
Family fortune of approximately $300 million (about $5.5 billion today)
Daughter of John D. Rockefeller Jr.
Pioneering collector of modern art
Abby co-founded the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, revolutionizing the American art scene. She championed folk art as a legitimate artistic medium. With her husband, David Milton, she was mother to six children, and her collection formed the foundation for MOMA’s permanent holdings.
27. Helena Rubinstein (1872-1965)
Built cosmetics empire worth $100 million (approximately $2 billion today)
Created one of the world’s first cosmetics companies
Known as “Madame” throughout her industry
Polish-born Helena revolutionized beauty with scientifically formulated skincare products. She escaped European antisemitism, building global enterprises in Australia, London, Paris, and New York. Despite her modest height (4’10”), her commanding presence and business acumen dominated the beauty industry for decades.
26. Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (1875-1942)
Inherited approximately $60 million from railroad fortune (over $1 billion today)
Sculptor and art patron
Founder of the Whitney Museum of American Art
Gertrude was a wealthy heiress and accomplished sculptor. She created the WWI memorial in Washington Heights. She established studios to support struggling artists and founded the Whitney Museum to showcase American art. A mother of three, she famously fought for custody of her niece Gloria Vanderbilt.
25. Katharine Graham (1917-2001)
Net worth estimated at $400 million (about $700 million today)
Publisher of The Washington Post
First female Fortune 500 CEO
Katharine transformed The Washington Post into a journalistic powerhouse after her husband’s suicide. Under her leadership, the paper published the Pentagon Papers and exposed Watergate. Mother of four, her Pulitzer-winning autobiography detailed her evolution from shy widow to powerful media executive.
24. Doris Duke (1912-1993)
Inherited approximately $100 million (about $1.8 billion today)
Daughter of tobacco tycoon James Buchanan Duke
Known as the “richest girl in the world”
Doris was an adventurous heiress who spoke several languages and collected Islamic art. She created Shangri-La in Hawaii, a magnificent showcase for her Middle Eastern treasures. Twice divorced with no surviving children, she established wildlife and art foundations that continue her legacy today.
23. Mary Kay Ash (1918-2001)
Built Mary Kay Cosmetics worth $500 million (over $800 million today)
Pioneer of women’s entrepreneurship and direct sales
Known for distinctive pink Cadillac incentive program
Mary Kay revolutionized women’s entrepreneurship after experiencing workplace discrimination. With $5,000 in savings, she built a cosmetics empire, empowering millions of women consultants. A mother of three, her innovative business model and encouraging leadership style created opportunities for women worldwide.
22. Margaret Rudkin (1897-1967)
Built Pepperidge Farm, worth $28 million when sold (about $250 million today)
Started baking bread for her allergic son
Grew home kitchen operation into national brand
Margaret began baking wholesome bread when her son couldn’t eat commercial products due to allergies. From selling to local grocers, she built Pepperidge Farm into a national phenomenon. A mother of three, she revolutionized American baking with quality ingredients when processed foods dominated.
21. Wilhelmina Models (Wilhelmina Cooper) (1940-1980)
Agency valued at approximately $25 million during lifetime (about $85 million today)
Former supermodel who built pioneering modeling agency
Revolutionized the modeling industry business model
Dutch-born Wilhelmina transformed from top model to savvy businesswoman, founding her eponymous agency in 1967. Her innovative approach emphasized models’ careers rather than short-term bookings. Despite dying young from lung cancer at 40, her agency continues to represent top talents worldwide.
20. Estée Lauder (1908-2004)
Built cosmetics empire worth $5 billion during lifetime
Pioneer of free samples and personal selling techniques
Started with homemade skin creams in beauty salons
Estée revolutionized cosmetic marketing through personal demonstrations and the “Gift with Purchase” concept. Through determination and innovative sales approaches, she created a global beauty powerhouse from humble beginnings. She is the mother of two sons who expanded the family business internationally.
19. Ruth Handler (1916-2002)
Co-founded Mattel Toys, worth over $500 million during her lifetime
Created the Barbie doll in 1959
Pioneered prosthetic breast designs after her mastectomy
Ruth revolutionized the toy industry by creating Barbie, inspired by watching her daughter Barbara play with paper dolls. After battling breast cancer, she founded Nearly Me, designing comfortable prosthetics. Her vision transformed Mattel from garage workshop to global toy leader.
18. Elizabeth Arden (1878-1966)
Built cosmetics empire worth $60 million (approximately $1 billion today)
Pioneer of coordinated cosmetics and beauty salons
Competitor of Helena Rubinstein in the beauty industry
Canadian-born Florence Nightingale Graham transformed into Elizabeth Arden, creating America’s first destination beauty salon on Fifth Avenue. Her red-door salons and integrated cosmetic collections revolutionized beauty. Despite being a pioneering businesswoman, she maintained that “femininity is your greatest asset.”
17. Anne Cox Chambers (1919-2020)
Family media fortune worth approximately $12 billion
Inherited and expanded Cox Enterprises
Ambassador to Belgium under President Carter
Anne helped transform her father’s newspaper business into a media and automotive empire. A prominent philanthropist supporting arts and education, she became France’s highest civilian honoree. Despite her wealth, she maintained a personal touch with her gardening and down-to-earth approach.
16. Johanna Quandt (1926-2015)
Net worth approximately $13.4 billion
Major shareholder in BMW
Widow of German industrialist Herbert Quandt
Johanna began as Herbert Quandt’s secretary before becoming his third wife. After his death, she managed BMW’s transformation into a luxury automotive powerhouse. The mother of two children who continue managing the family’s automotive empire, she was known for maintaining privacy despite her wealth.
15. Betty Barclay (1923-2012)
Fashion empire worth approximately $2 billion
Pioneer of ready-to-wear women’s fashion
Created one of Europe’s most recognizable fashion brands
Betty revolutionized European women’s fashion with practical yet stylish ready-to-wear collections. Starting with a small shop in Hamburg, she built a global brand synonymous with accessible elegance. Her design philosophy emphasized helping women look professional while expressing individual style.
14. Martha Stewart (1941-)
Built media empire worth $1 billion at its peak
Pioneer of lifestyle branding and merchandising
First self-made female billionaire in America
Martha transformed from model to stockbroker to catering entrepreneur before creating her lifestyle empire. Her magazine, television shows, and product lines revolutionized home entertaining and decorating. Despite a prison sentence for insider trading, she successfully rebuilt her brand.
13. Oprah Winfrey (1954-)
Net worth over $2.5 billion by 1999
Built media empire from television talk show
First Black female billionaire
Oprah overcame childhood poverty and trauma to build a revolutionary media platform. Her talk show’s intimate conversation style transformed television and launched countless careers and products. Her entrepreneurial ventures, from Harpo Productions to OWN network, redefined celebrity business influence.
12. Leona Helmsley (1920-2007)
Real estate empire worth approximately $5 billion
Known as the “Queen of Mean” for her demanding management style
Left a $12 million trust fund to her dog, Trouble
Leona built a hotel empire with husband Harry Helmsley, who was known for micromanagement and exacting standards. Her infamous quote, “Only little people pay taxes,” preceded her conviction for tax evasion. Despite her difficult reputation, she transformed the Helmsley hotel brand into a symbol of luxury.
11. Liliane Bettencourt (1922-2017)
Net worth approximately $18 billion in the 1990s
Principal shareholder of L’Oréal
Daughter of L’Oréal founder Eugène Schueller
Liliane inherited and expanded L’Oréal, transforming her father’s hair dye company into the world’s largest cosmetics group. Family legal battles over her fortune marked her later years. Despite controversy, her business acumen maintained L’Oréal’s dominant market position throughout the century.
10. Jacqueline Mars (1939-)
Family fortune estimated at $23 billion by 1999
Co-owner of Mars, Incorporated (candy and pet food)
Granddaughter of company founder Frank C. Mars
Jacqueline inherited and helped expand Mars Incorporated, known for iconic candies like M&Ms and Snickers. Despite immense wealth, she maintained remarkable privacy. Her equestrian interests and philanthropy, particularly supporting animal welfare causes, reflected her personal passions beyond business.
9. Susanne Klatten (1962-)
Net worth was approximately $8.2 billion by 1999
Major shareholder in BMW and chemical company Altana
Daughter of Herbert and Johanna Quandt
Susanne combined her economics education with business savvy to expand her inherited BMW shares. Unlike many heiresses, she actively managed her investments, transforming Altana into a pharmaceutical powerhouse. She maintained a relatively normal family life despite kidnapping threats while building her empire.
8. Imelda Marcos (1929-)
Family wealth estimated between $5-10 billion during height of power
First Lady of the Philippines (1965-1986)
Famous for her collection of 3,000+ pairs of shoes
Imelda amassed extraordinary wealth during her husband Ferdinand’s dictatorship through alleged corruption and cronyism. Her extravagant spending on New York real estate, jewelry, and art became symbolic of regime excess. Despite facing multiple corruption charges, she later returned to Philippine politics.
7. Iris Fontbona (1942-)
Net worth approximately $10.7 billion by the late 1990s
Inherited and expanded Chilean mining conglomerate Antofagasta PLC
Widow of Andrónico Luksic
In 1982, Iris inherited her husband’s mining empire and expanded operations across Chile and beyond. Under her leadership, Antofagasta PLC became one of the world’s largest copper producers. Despite her immense wealth, she maintained extreme privacy while raising three sons who helped manage family businesses.
6. Alice Walton (1949-)
Net worth approximately $15 billion by 1999
Daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton
Founder of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Alice combined Walmart’s inheritance with investment savvy, focusing particularly on banking and finance sectors. Unlike her brothers, who managed Walmart directly, she channeled wealth into art collecting. Her Crystal Bridges Museum democratized access to masterpieces by establishing itself in Arkansas rather than coastal cities.
5. Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919)
Net worth approximately $1 million at time of death (equivalent to about $15 million today)
Born Sarah Breedlove to formerly enslaved parents in Louisiana
Founder of the Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company
Madam C.J. Walker transformed personal struggles with hair loss into entrepreneurial triumph, developing specialized hair care products for Black women. Unlike contemporary beauty magnates focusing on white consumers, she built her empire by addressing the underserved Black market. Her door-to-door sales approach evolved into a sophisticated network of trained “Walker Agents,” creating unprecedented economic opportunities for thousands of Black women during the Jim Crow era.
4. Abigail Johnson (1961-)
Family fortune worth approximately $14 billion by 1999
Began managing Fidelity Investments under father Edward Johnson III
Granddaughter of Fidelity founder Edward Johnson II
Abigail combined Harvard MBA education with financial instinct to transform Fidelity’s mutual fund business. Unlike many heiresses, she worked from entry-level research analyst positions upward. Her analytical approach and technological innovation positioned Fidelity at the forefront of financial services.
3. Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022)
Royal assets valued at approximately $16-18 billion during the 1990s
Monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms
Owner of significant royal properties and art collections
Elizabeth ascended the throne at 25, overseeing Britain’s post-imperial transition while modernizing the monarchy. Her personal wealth included Balmoral and Sandringham estates, valuable art collections, jewels, and stamp collections. Mother of four, her seven-decade reign represented stability through immense social change.
2. Christy Walton (1949-)
Net worth approximately $20 billion by the late 1990s
Inherited Walmart fortune after husband John died in 2005
Philanthropist focusing on education and environmental causes
Christy married into America’s wealthiest family when she married Sam Walton’s son John. After his death, she inherited extraordinary wealth, including significant Walmart shares and First Solar investments. Despite her fortune, she maintained privacy while supporting sustainable energy and educational initiatives.
1. The Queen Mother (1900-2002)
Royal fortune estimated at £70 million (approximately $112 million)
Mother of Queen Elizabeth II
Widow of King George VI
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon became beloved for refusing to leave London during WWII bombing raids, saying, “the children won’t leave without me, I won’t leave without the King, and the King will never leave.” Her century-long life spanned tremendous historical change. Despite later financial challenges, her popularity remained undiminished.