There are around 2,668 billionaires in the world, but just 327 people in this select economic club women - worth a total of $1.56 trillion.
While some of these women are heiresses to fortunes, others are self-made as they founded or co-founded profitable businesses that lead to their wealth.
These are the mega-rich tycoons whose vast wealth means they are able to influence the world in a multitude of ways - from the economy, to politics, our media and much more.
Here are the 10 richest women in the world, how they earned their wealth - and what their net worth is according to Forbes.
These are the mega-rich tycoons whose vast wealth means they are able to influence the world in a multitude of ways - from the economy, to politics, our media and much more.