The Rise of Self-Made Female Billionaires: Global Leaders and Trends

Women now represent a growing share of billionaires worldwide, with the US, China, and Germany leading in self-made fortunes. Their wealth is rising fast, driven by tech, energy, and healthcare sectors shaping the future of female financial power.

Women represent just 13% of the world’s billionaires, and those who built their fortunes from scratch are even rarer, just 3.6% globally. Yet their influence is growing fast. Since 2015, the number of self-made female billionaires has jumped 81%, with their combined wealth now topping $1.7 trillion.1,2

With this in mind, award-winning GEO Agency Reboot Online set out to uncover the countries with the most self-made female billionaires. Using Forbes’s billionaire list, the female billionaires were identified and analysed to determine which of them built their fortunes independently. 

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The results: Countries with the most self-made female billionaires

The United States has the most self-made female billionaires worldwide

The United States leads the world with 51 self-made female billionaires, 38% more than China (37). The US has a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem and venture capital networks, as well as a culture that encourages innovation and risk-taking. With a supportive system for startups, access to global markets and a focus on financial independence, the US remains the top hub for female financial success.

High-profile figures include Lyndal Stephens Greth, who chairs Endeavour Energy Resources, a private oil exploration firm acquired by Diamondback Energy in 2024. With a net worth of $25.8 billion, she ranks second amongst the wealthiest women in the world and represents the vast fortunes generated in the energy sector. Meanwhile, the tech sector is shaping the next generation of billionaires: Lucy Guo, co-founder of Scale AI, became the world’s youngest self-made woman billionaire at 30, surpassing global icons like Taylor Swift.3 

China rank second with 37 self-made female billionaires

China’s 37 self-made female billionaires reflect the country’s rapid growth and tech-driven economy. Their average age is 58, the second youngest group globally, highlighting how China is generating wealth at a younger age than most other countries. Among them is Zhou Chaonan, chair of Range Intelligent Computing Technology Group, a leading provider of data centre services. With a net worth of $7.3 billion, she ranks 13th globally among the wealthiest self-made women and has played a key role in expanding the company’s influence in the industry.

Germany has the youngest self-made female billionaires

Germany ranks third with 18 self-made female billionaires, but boasts one of the youngest average ages at 56, reflecting strength in publishing, media, and healthcare. Christiane Schoeller, with a net worth of $5.4 billion, holds a significant stake in Holtzbrinck Publishing Group and has helped shape the company’s direction. Meanwhile, Katharina von Baumbach, valued at over $5 billion, represents a new generation of wealth at just 25, playing an active role in Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the world’s largest privately held pharmaceutical companies. Both Schoeller and Baumbach rank 24th globally among the wealthiest self-made women.

The United Kingdom placed sixth with 3 self-made female billionaires 

The UK’s three self-made female billionaires may be few in number, but their impact is considerable. With the highest average age on the list at 71, they bring decades of business experience. Denise Coates, worth $7.3 billion, is the most prominent, serving as co-CEO of Bet365, one of the world’s largest online gambling companies. She owns 50% of the company, which now facilitates over $65 billion in bets each year, and ranks 13th globally among the wealthiest self-made women.