Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century

Trista - May 16, 2025

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Barbara Hutton standing on a ship and looking to her left. She is holding a pair of white gloves in her hands. Source: Los Angeles Times / Wikipedia

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Marjorie Merriweather Post Hutton Davies, American socialite and heiress of General Foods, Inc. Source: C. M. Stieglitz, World Telegram staff photographer / Library of Congress / Wikipedia

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Abby Rockefeller in 1900. Source: Bain News Service / Library of Congress / Wikipedia

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Polish-American cosmetics industrialist Helena Rubinstein (1870-1965). Source: George Grantham Bain Collection / Library of Congress / Wikipedia

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, in Vogue magazine, by Adolf de Meyer, January 15, 1917. Source: Adolf de Meyer / Wikipedia

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Katharine Graham (1917-2001), publisher of The Washington Post, guest at a meeting of the Dutch Newspaper Press (NDP), 22 May 1975. Source: Wikipedia

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Scanned from the 1951 edition of The Chanticleer, the yearbook of Duke University. Source: Duke University / Wikipedia

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
She launched her company in 1963 after being passed over for a promotion in favor of a man she had trained. Source: Mary Kay Global

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Pepperidge Farm grew out of founder’s Margaret Rudkin’s quest to bake a bread her son could eat without triggering allergy-related asthma. Source: Everett Collection / Newscom

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Wilhelmina Cooper in a photograph by Edgar de Evia. Source: Wikipedia

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Estee Lauder, in a vivid print from Yves Saint Laurent, puts today’s face on customer by using darker shade of lipstick. Source: World Journal Tribune photo by Bill Sauro / Wikipedia

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Ruth Handler, executive of Mattel Toy company, posing with collection of Barbie dolls, 1961. Source: Los Angeles Times / Wikipedia

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Elizabeth Arden (neé Florence Nightingale Graham). Source: New York World-Telegram and the Sun / Alan Fisher / Wikipedia

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Anne Cox Chambers at her desk in Atlanta, Ga. on December 13, 1973. Source: Joe McTyre / The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Industrialist Herbert Quandt and his wife, Johanna, in 1971. Source: The Washington Post

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
An ad from Seventeen magazine featuring Betty Barclay fashion, May, 1980. Source: Seventeen

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-)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Before becoming a domestic lifestyle mogul, she was a successful stockbroker on Wall Street in the 1960s. Source: marthastewart.com

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-)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Oprah Winfrey at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., 1997. Source: John Mathew Smith / Wikipedia

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Leona Helmsley’s 1988 mugshot after she was indicted by the Southern District of New York for tax fraud. Source: Bureau of Prisons / Getty

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
She was secretly a photographer and published work under a pseudonym in her younger years. Source: Wikipedia

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-)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
She is a trained equestrian and passionate horse breeder, having owned and supported numerous Olympic-level horses and riders over the years. Source: Wikipedia

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-)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Susanne Hanna Ursula Klatten is a German billionaire heiress. Source: Wikipedia

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-)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Imelda Marcos of the Philippines speaking with Carl Albert during her visit to the U.S. on January 18, 1973. Source: Carl Albert Research and Studies Center, Congressional Collection / Wikipedia

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-)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Chile’s richest woman and a global mining magnate, is her discreet yet significant influence in the Croatian hospitality industry. Source: Iris Fontbona

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-)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Her deep-rooted passion for art that began in childhood. Source: Alice L. Walton Foundation

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Madam C.J. Walker, the first self-made U.S. woman millionaire of any race, owned property in Idlewild. Source: Scurlock Studio / Wikipedia

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-)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Abigail Johnson and her father Edward (Ned) C. Johnson III applaud as President George W. Bush speaks to company employees about the economy in 2004. Source: Brooks Kraft / Corbis via Getty Images

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
Queen Elizabeth II waving to crowds in Queensland, Australia, some time in 1970. Source: Queensland State Archives / Wikipedia

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-)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
She founded Cuna del Mar, an investment fund dedicated to supporting companies that develop sustainable seafood supplies. Source: Wikipedia

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)

Behind the Fortune: The Most Menaced and Wealthy Women of the 20th Century
The Queen Mother arriving at Walker Naval Yard, June 1961. Source: Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums / Wikipedia

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.

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