Wealthiest Women from 1900 to 1999
The twentieth century witnessed incredible social changes, wars, and economic ups and downs. During this time, some women broke through barriers to build enormous fortunes and change the world around them.
These women came from different backgrounds – some inherited wealth, others created it from nothing, and many used their money to make lasting impacts on society. Now let’s take a look at these remarkable women who shaped the financial landscape of their time.
Hetty Green
Henrietta “Hetty” Howland Robinson Green earned the nickname “Queen of Wall Street” and was known as the richest woman in America during the Gilded Age. Born into a wealthy whaling family in New Bedford, Massachusetts, she turned her inheritance into an empire worth over $100 million by the time of her death in 1916.
Her frugal lifestyle and sharp investment skills made her one of the most successful financiers of her era. Despite her wealth, she dressed simply and lived modestly, which earned her both respect and ridicule from society.
Doris Duke
The nicotine heiress inherited $100 million at age twelve when her father James Buchanan Duke died in 1925. She became known as “the richest girl in the world” and used her fortune to collect art, travel extensively, and support various causes.
Duke was also an accomplished pilot, surfer, and journalist who broke many social conventions of her time. Her rivalry with Barbara Hutton became legendary among high society circles.
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Joan Whitney Payson
Born into the wealthy Whitney family, she inherited millions from her father’s business empire. Payson became the first woman to own a major league baseball team when she purchased the New York Mets in 1962.
She was also a serious art collector and patron of the arts who supported many cultural institutions. Her love of sports and art made her a unique figure among wealthy women of her time.
Anne Cox Chambers
The daughter of newspaper publisher James M. Cox, she inherited control of Cox Enterprises along with her sister. Chambers helped build the company into a media empire that included newspapers, television stations, and cable systems.
She served as ambassador to Belgium under President Carter, showing that wealthy women could also serve in government. Her business leadership helped Cox Enterprises become one of the largest privately held companies in America.
Abigail Johnson
Born in 1961, she grew up in the family that founded Fidelity Investments, one of the world’s largest mutual fund companies. Johnson worked her way up through the company, proving her abilities in portfolio management and business strategy.
She became president of Fidelity in the 1990s and was being groomed to take over the family business. Her analytical mind and investment skills impressed even skeptical industry veterans.
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Jacqueline Mars
The daughter of candy company founder Frank Mars, she inherited part of the Mars fortune when the family business went private. Mars worked in the company for many years, helping to expand the brand internationally.
She preferred to stay out of the public eye, focusing on the family business and philanthropic activities. The Mars candy empire made her one of the richest women in America by the end of the century.
Susan Alice Buffett
The wife of investor Warren Buffett, she accumulated wealth alongside her husband’s rise to become one of America’s richest men. Buffett was known for her down-to-earth personality and philanthropic interests, particularly in family planning and women’s rights.
She preferred simple living despite the family’s enormous wealth. Her influence on her husband’s charitable giving would later shape billions of dollars in donations.
Laurene Powell Jobs
She married Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in 1991 and became wealthy through her husband’s success in technology. Powell Jobs had her own successful career in business and finance before focusing on philanthropy and education reform.
She founded organizations dedicated to improving education and environmental protection. Her approach to wealth emphasized using money to create positive social change.
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Ruth Handler
The co-founder of Mattel toy company revolutionized the toy industry by creating the Barbie doll in 1959. Handler turned a simple idea into a billion-dollar brand that dominated toy stores worldwide.
She overcame personal setbacks, including health problems and business controversies, to build lasting wealth. Her creativity and business sense showed that women could succeed in traditionally male industries.
Mary Kay Ash
She started Mary Kay Cosmetics in 1963 with just $5,000 and built it into a cosmetics empire worth hundreds of millions. Ash created a business model that empowered women to become entrepreneurs and achieve financial independence.
Her pink Cadillacs and motivational approach became legendary in direct sales. The company made many women wealthy while challenging traditional ideas about women in business.
Estée Lauder
Born Josephine Esther Mentzer, she started selling face creams from her kitchen and built the Estée Lauder cosmetics empire. Lauder’s innovative marketing techniques and high-quality products made her company one of the most successful in the beauty industry.
She understood that luxury and exclusivity could command premium prices. Her business sense and determination made her one of the wealthiest self-made women of the century.
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Madonna Louise Ciccone
The pop star built an entertainment empire that included music, movies, books, and fashion ventures. Madonna’s business sense was as sharp as her artistic talents, allowing her to control her image and maximize profits.
She pioneered new ways for artists to maintain ownership of their work and brand. Her wealth came not just from performing but from smart business decisions and investments.
Oprah Winfrey
Starting from poverty, she built a media empire centered around her television talk show that began in 1986. Winfrey’s authentic personality and business acumen made her one of the most influential women in America.
She expanded beyond television into magazines, book clubs, and production companies. Her success proved that women could build enormous wealth in the entertainment industry while maintaining their values.
Diane von Furstenberg
The Belgian-American fashion designer created the wrap dress in 1974 and built a fashion empire around accessible luxury. Von Furstenberg’s designs appealed to working women who wanted to look professional and stylish.
She understood that fashion could be both practical and elegant. Her business recovered from setbacks in the 1980s to become even stronger in the 1990s.
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Donna Karan
The fashion designer built her company around the idea of dressing the modern working woman. Karan’s DKNY brand became synonymous with New York style and urban sophistication.
She understood that busy women needed clothes that could transition from work to social events. Her practical approach to luxury fashion created a loyal customer base and substantial wealth.
Sherry Lansing
The movie executive became the first woman to head a major Hollywood studio when she was named chairman of Paramount Pictures. Lansing’s leadership helped produce many successful films and changed how women were perceived in the entertainment industry.
She combined creative instincts with business sense to build a successful career. Her influence extended beyond movies to mentoring other women in Hollywood.
Martha Stewart
She built a lifestyle empire from her catering business and magazine publishing ventures. Stewart’s attention to detail and perfectionist approach created a brand that defined good living for millions of Americans.
Her business expanded into television, retail partnerships, and product lines. She showed that domestic skills could be turned into serious business opportunities and substantial wealth.
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Muriel Siebert
Known as the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange, she broke barriers in the financial industry. Siebert founded her own brokerage firm and became a successful businesswoman in a male-dominated field.
She used her position to advocate for other women in finance and business. Her pioneering work opened doors for future generations of women on Wall Street.
Liz Claiborne
The fashion designer co-founded her clothing company in 1976 and built it into a billion-dollar business. Claiborne understood that working women needed professional clothes that were both stylish and affordable.
Her designs filled a gap in the market and created a new category of women’s fashion. She proved that women could succeed as both designers and business executives in the competitive fashion industry.
Maggie Hardy Magerko
She inherited 84 Lumber Company from her father and expanded it into one of the largest building supply companies in America. Magerko’s leadership helped the company grow during the housing boom of the 1990s.
She modernized operations and expanded into new markets while maintaining the company’s family culture. Her success showed that women could effectively lead traditional male-dominated industries like construction and building supplies.
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Patricia Kluge
The former model married billionaire John Kluge and received a substantial settlement in their divorce. She used her wealth to build a wine business and collect art while maintaining a high-profile social life.
Kluge showed that divorced women could use their settlements to build independent wealth and influence. Her vineyard in Virginia became one of the most respected wineries on the East Coast.
Legacy that lives on today
These women didn’t just accumulate wealth – they changed how society viewed women’s capabilities in business, finance, and leadership. Their stories show that success came through different paths: inheritance, entrepreneurship, marriage, and pure determination.
Many used their fortunes to support causes they believed in, from education to the arts to women’s rights. Today’s successful businesswomen often cite these pioneers as inspiration for breaking through barriers that once seemed impossible to cross.
Their influence extends far beyond their bank accounts to the opportunities they created for future generations.
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