has released its landmark 2025 ranking of the world’s 50 richest self-made women, revealing a striking global trend: China and Hong Kong together account for 18 of the 50 women on the list—the highest representation by any region. The United States is the second-highest, with 16 women featured, reflecting both regions’ deep-rooted entrepreneurial cultures and global influence.
This elite group, spanning 13 countries and four continents, collectively holds approximately $276 billion in wealth, with an average net worth of $5.5 billion. The minimum net worth to make the list is $2.1 billion. Their fortunes cover 14 different industries, with technology standing out as the most dominant sector. Retail, real estate, and manufacturing also feature prominently.“Self-made women now constitute 3.5% of all billionaires—a modest figure, but about 50% higher than in 2017,” Forbes notes, highlighting both progress and the persistent gender wealth gap.Among the 50 richest self-made women, technology is the leading sector, with 14 women generating their fortunes in this field. Notably, Zhou Qunfei of Hong Kong, valued at approximately $10 billion, heads Hunan-based Lens Technology, a major supplier of touch screens to global giants like Apple, Samsung, and Tesla. The tech sector’s dominance is further underscored by the presence of several founders and executives in software, IT, and electronics manufacturing, reflecting the transformative impact of technology on global wealth creation for women.
Despite the increasing number of women entering entrepreneurship and achieving billionaire status, a significant disparity persists between men and women at the top. The 50 richest self-made men globally are collectively worth $3.8 trillion—14 times greater than the combined wealth of the 50 wealthiest women. Furthermore, men control 96% of the world’s self-made billionaire wealth, with women holding just 4%. There are 1,920 male self-made billionaires worldwide, compared to a much smaller number of women, underscoring the ongoing challenges to gender parity in global wealth.

The 50 richest self-made women of 2025