Women billionaires are steadily claiming their share of the global wealth pie, reshaping how power and influence are wielded. According to the 2024 Altrata Billionaire Census, women now account for 13% of the world’s 3,323 billionaires. While this might seem modest, their numbers and influence have grown consistently over the last decade, propelled by entrepreneurship, shifting societal norms, and significant wealth transfers.
Nonetheless, this transformation is not just about money. It is about purpose. From owning luxury estates to leading philanthropy, women billionaires are rewriting the rules of wealth creation and distribution.
The Rise of Women Billionaires Over the Years
Women billionaires owe much of their rise to inheritance. The report reveals that three-quarters of today’s female billionaires inherited some portion of their wealth. Among them, 38% inherited their fortunes entirely, including Alice Walton, Julia Flesher Koch, and Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, whose combined net worth eclipses $250 billion. By contrast, only 5% of male billionaires built their fortunes on inheritance alone.
Forbes / According to the Altrata Billionaire Census, 13% of the world’s billionaires are women (431 to be exact.)
The inheritance trend is accelerating. With the Great Wealth Transfer expected to shift $30 trillion to women in the next decade, female billionaires will grow in number and influence. However, about a quarter of women billionaires are self-made. This marks a significant shift!
Women Billionaires Have Unique Spending Habits
Female billionaires prioritize where and how they spend. They tend to hold a significant portion of their wealth in private companies (35% compared to 28% for men) and maintain more liquid assets like cash (39% versus 30%). This focus allows them greater flexibility and resilience in uncertain markets.
Their male counterparts, often rooted in tech ventures, invest more heavily in stocks, holding 40% of their wealth there compared to 22% for women.
Similarly, luxury real estate and art are also prominent in women billionaires’ portfolios. They are 1.5 times more likely to own properties worth over $10 million, and their passion for fine art often translates into curated, high-value collections. While men might pour their wealth into private jets and yachts, women tend to focus on enduring assets and cultural investments.
How Female Billionaires Approach Philanthropy?
Nearly one in five dedicates their professional energy to nonprofit causes, compared to just 5% of men. This focus often stems from inherited wealth, which fosters earlier engagement in social justice and welfare initiatives.
Bios / Women billionaires are building impactful legacies by funding education, healthcare, and environmental programs - the report says.
Alice Walton, for example, has revolutionized art accessibility with her Crystal Bridges Museum, while Melinda French Gates channels her fortune into global health and gender equity. However, their causes are not hobbies. They are missions that align with deeply held values.
Differences Between Women and Men Billionaires
Women billionaires handle their finances differently than men. Their portfolios lean toward long-term stability and tangible assets, often tied to their inheritance of private businesses. This gives them a distinct edge, particularly in industries where stability trumps volatility.
Billionaire men, driven by tech wealth, hold riskier portfolios with high exposure to stocks. The difference in strategy highlights a broader gendered approach: women prioritize sustainable, meaningful investments, while men often favor innovation-driven risk.
While women billionaires might share some passions with their male peers, their interests and indulgences often stand apart. They are significantly more inclined to invest in luxury real estate and collectibles than flashy vehicles or high-tech toys. Private jets and yachts may captivate male billionaires, but women are crafting lifestyles rooted in cultural richness and personal fulfillment.
