Celebrating the power of women in business, we present the top 10 successful business women in the world!
While everyone thinks managing a business is not easy for women, they are still making an immense mark in the business world. Women are reaching new heights not only in the field of fashion and cosmetics but also in the world of technology.
From redefining industries to breaking barriers, these trailblazers are inspiring a new generation of leaders through their unique personalities.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to dive right in!
Table of Contents
Top 10 Successful Business Women in the World
Following is a quick overview of the top 10 most successful business women in the world, whose remarkable journeys continue to pave the way for future trailblazers:
| Name | Key Achievements | Industry | Social Links | Read More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melanie Perkins | Co-founded Canva, valued at over $40 billion | Technology, Design | LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter | Read More |
| Sara Blakely | Founded Spanx; became one of the youngest self-made female billionaires | Apparel, Fashion | LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter | Read More |
| Kiran Mazumdar Shaw | Founded Biocon; first Indian woman billionaire | Biotechnology | LinkedIn, Twitter | Read More |
| Susan Wojcicki | Led YouTube to become a leading video-sharing platform; significantly increased revenue | Technology, Media | LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter | Read More |
| Oprah Winfrey | Transformed media with The Oprah Winfrey Show; influential philanthropist | Media, Entertainment | LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter | Read More |
| Indra Nooyi | Former CEO of PepsiCo; re-shaped the company's product offerings | Food & Beverage | Read More | |
| Whitney Wolfe Herd | Founded Bumble; youngest self-made female billionaire | Technology, Dating | LinkedIn, Instagram | Read More |
| Arianna Huffington | Co-founded The Huffington Post; advocate for well-being and mental health | Media | LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter | Read More |
| Sheryl Sandberg | Former COO of Facebook; author of "Lean In," advocating for women in leadership | Technology, Media | Instagram, Twitter | Read More |
| Tory Burch | Founded Tory Burch LLC; known for philanthropy and promoting women entrepreneurs | Fashion | Instagram, Twitter | Read More |
Let’s delve into the details.
1. Melanie Perkins
Melanie Perkins, a renowned name in Graphic Design is an Australian Billionaire and CEO of Canva, her dream project. She is one of the youngest female CEOs of a technology start-up.
Having been frustrated, by the complexity of traditional design software, she decided to launch her own software. This is how Canva came into existence.
Today Canva has achieved a valuation of over $40 billion which is the major achievement of Melanie Perkins.
With the growth of Canva, Melanie touched the accomplishment of her life. In 2020 Forbes has listed her as one of the “Top Under Thirty of the Decade”.
In 2021, she was considered one of the wealthiest women in Australia with a net worth of Dollar 6.5 billion.
After that, she was honoured by enlisted into the 30 under 30 Hall of Fame in 2022. In 2023, she ranked 89 in Forbes list of “World’s 100 most powerful women.”
In summary, Melanie Perkins is one of the youngest female Billionaires in Australia with a Net worth of 440 crores USD in 2024.
Besides these acquirements, she is very kind and humble to help others. Melanie and her husband are 2nd most generous philanthropists in Australia.
She is also the Pioneer of Gender equality. Her keen dedication and determination for her dream project have made Melanie a well-known businesswoman in the world.
2. Sara Blakely
Sara Treleaven Blakely is another name on the list of the top 10 successful business women in the world who has co-founded SPANX with her savings of $5000.
She is also the CEO of Spanx, a shapewear brand. Sara started her journey in 2000 with the launch of Spanx and never saw behind.
In 2012, Sara first time enlisted on the cover of FORBES magazine for being the youngest self-made billionaire in the world.
Forbes magazine also inducted her as the 93rd most powerful woman in the world. Even, Times magazine also enlisted her among the 100 most influential people in the world in 2012.
Today Spanx products are available in more than 50 countries and are known for their comfortability and latest designs.
As Spanx is a celebrity brand, now Sara has become a celebrity with a Net worth of $12B in 2024. She is not only an American businesswoman but also a philanthropist.
With the growth of her business, she has also engaged in philanthropy through her foundation Spanx. This foundation supports women in education, art, and business.
In conclusion, Sara Blakely has become the epitome of Women’s Empowerment to guide aspiring business persons with a short amount of money.
3. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw
In the list of successful business women, another name comes from India. She is none other than Kiran Mazumdar Shaw.
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is not only the chairman of biotechnology company Biocon Limited but also the managing director of it.
Kiran is also a first-generation global business leader with over four decades of experience in biotechnology.
With the success of Biocon Limited, Kiran touched the heights of achievements. She got the Othmer Gold Medal for outstanding contributions to the progress of science and chemistry.
In 2019, Kiran was enlisted as the 68th most powerful woman in business list by Forbes. Later in 2020, she was awarded Australia’s highest civilian honor. Also, she was named EY World’s Entrepreneur of the Year in the same year.
Indian Government has also awarded her with the Padma Shri (1989) and the Padma Bhushan (2005) for her incredible contributions to science and technology.
Along with business, she also takes part in philanthropy. She has started a corporate social responsibility wing at Biocon, The Biocon Foundation.
This Foundation focuses on the health, education, and infrastructure of rural areas people in Karnataka.
In 2015, she joined ‘The Giving Pledge’ assuring that at least half of her wealth will be used in philanthropy.
So, the list of awards and attainments is limitless to Kiran Mazumdar Shaw. Today she is a shining personality in the realm of biotechnology with a Net worth of $3.2B.
Her company Biocon Limited became the first Indian company to manufacture and export enzymes to the US and Europe.
4. Susan Wojcicki
Susan Diane Wojcicki is a familiar name in the list of successful business woman in the Tech world. She remained the former CEO of YouTube from 2014 to 2023.
Before becoming the CEO of YouTube, she used to work at Google. In 2024, Wojcicki began to work on YouTube. Later she became the new CEO of YouTube.
This step proved a huge milestone in her career. In her first year at YouTube, she was named the most powerful woman on the internet by Time magazine.
Under her leadership, YouTube touched the unbelievable heights of success. Today YouTube has 2 Billion active users. Wojcicki’s journey to success starts with the rise of Google and YouTube.
Wojcicki played an important role in Google’s early days. In 1999, she worked as Google’s first marketing manager.
While working at Google, she observed the success of YouTube and suggested that Google should buy it. So Google purchased YouTube at a deal of 1.65 Billion Dollars in 2006.
In 2015, she was named one of Time’s hundred most influential people. In 2017, Wojcicki’s rank was 6th on Forbes list of the 100 most powerful women in the world.
Next year she was ranked 10th on Fortune’s Most Powerful Women list.
Along with working in the Tech industry, she also takes part in the activities of philanthropy. Wojcicki has donated over $765 million of her fortune to charity.
Thus Susan Wojcicki is a pioneer of women’s growth in the Tech world with a Net Worth of $800 million. She is like a role model for women who are passionate about achieving great accomplishments in industrial and technology areas.
5. Oprah Winfrey
In this part, we’ll talk about the multi-talented lady Oprah Winfrey, a well-known American talk show host, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist.
She is popularly known for hosting her program ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ which aired for 25 seasons from 1986 to 2011. She was the first Black American woman to own her own production company.
Oprah Winfrey was not only the richest African American of the 20th century but also the first black multi-billionaire in North America.
Operah’s journey to fame started when she was 17 years old, she won the Miss Black pageant. After that, she never fell behind and won several awards in various industries.
She is the chairman and CEO of her successful cable Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. She is also the founder of O, The Oprah Magazine, and oversees the Harpo Films.
In 2013, Oprah Winfrey was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama, the Nation’s highest civilian honor.
By now, she has gained 18 Day time Emmy Awards, and two Primetime Emmy awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award, a Tony Award, a Peabody Award, and many more.
Together with business activities, Oprah takes part in philanthropic efforts. She has donated more than $400 million to higher education for girls in the United States and South Africa.
To sum up, Oprah Winfrey is an excellent example of a Successful woman with a Net worth of $3.5 billion to $4 billion.
6. Indra Nooyi
Indra Nooyi is a well-known personality in the realm of Business. She is an Indian-born American who remained the chairman and CEO of PepsiCo from 2006 to 2018.
She was the first colored immigrant to head a Fortune 50 company. Under her leadership company gained transformative positive changes.
Indra has acquired many achievements through her strategic work in business. In 2009 and 2010, Fortune has inducted her name as the Most Powerful Woman in Business.
Forbes ranked her 13th in the list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful women in 2014. In 2018, CEOWORLD Magazine called Indra one of the best CEOs in the world.
Nooyi was also ranked as America’s Best Leader by the US News and World Report. In 2021, Nooyi was enlisted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
In 2007, the Indian Government awarded her with Padma Bhushan. She is also the recipient of 15 honorary degrees.
Nooyi is also a renowned philanthropist. Her donation to her alma mater Yale School of Management makes her the school’s largest Alumni Donor.
She is the first woman to have endowed a chair at a top business school. So, Indra Nooyi is a remarkable businesswoman with great experience in business with a Net Worth of $152 million.
In her speech, she says, “All good things come to those who wait.” Overall, Indra Nooyi is a great source of inspiration to the women of the Modern age.
7. Whitney Wolfe Herd
In terms of successful business woman, the next name is Whitney Wolfe Herd. She is an American who is the Founder of Bumble Inc. an online dating platform.
She was also the co-founder of Tinder and remained the previous Vice-President of marketing. In December 2014, Whitney founded BUMBLE and started her great journey of Achievements.
In 2019, she released the first print issue of Bumble Mag in partnership with Hearts and was also listed in a TechCrunch feature on 42 women succeeding in Tech.
At the age of 31, Whitney took Bumble public and she became the youngest female CEO to take a US company public.
In February 2021, Bumble topped $13 billion in valuation after listing shares on the Nasdaq exchange. The same year Whitney Wolfe Herd became the world’s youngest self-made billionaire.
In 2016, she was inducted as one of Elle’s Women in Tech. For the next two years, she was enlisted to Forbes 30 under 30. In 2024, Forbes estimated the Net Worth of Whitney Wolf Herd as $400 million.
With an interest in business, Wolf Herd also takes an interest in philanthropy. At the age of 20 in her college time, she started a business to sell bamboo tote bags to benefit areas affected by the BP oil spill.
She also partnered with celebrity stylist Patrick Aufdenkamp to launch the non-profit organization called the “Help Us Project.
To conclude, Whitney Wolf Herd is an influential personality of the Modern age. She represents the example of Women’s empowerment before the world.
8. Arianna Huffington
Arianna Huffington is another name in the series of successful businesswomen. She is a Greek American author, publisher, and successful business woman.
She is not only the co-founder of the successful news website ‘Huffington Post’ but also the founder and CEO of ‘Thrive Global’ the wellness site.
By now she has written 15 books including ‘Thrive’ and ‘The Sleep Revolution’. To grow her income, she has invested her money in popular companies such as Uber, Global Citizen, Onex, and Thrive Global.
Together with these achievements, Time Magazine inducted her in the list of the World’s 100 Most Influential People and Forbes enlisted her in the Most Powerful Women list.
Huffington’s website, The Huffington Post was the first digital media company to win a Pulitzer Prize. In 2018, Forbes enlisted Arianna the 77th most powerful woman in the world.
Along with many accomplishments as an author and businesswoman, she takes part actively in philanthropic activities.
To help the needy people, Arianna supports the following charities.
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- CHIME FOR CHANGE.
- David Lynch Foundation.
So, Arianna Huffington’s list of attainments in multiple areas is remarkable and inspires the ladies of the modern age to do great things in their skillful areas.
9. Sheryl Sandberg
Sheryl Sandberg is the next name on the list of successful business woman. She is an American Tech businesswoman, philanthropist, and writer.
Sheryl remained as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of META from 2008 to 2022. She is also the founder of LeanIn. Org.
In 2008, Sheryl was made the COO at Facebook where she was the second highest–ranking officer in the company.
After that, she was elected to Facebook’s Board of Directors and became the first woman to serve on its board.
Besides that, Sandberg remained Vice President of Global Online sales and operations at Google and was involved in its philanthropic arm Google.org.
Her bestselling books are Lean In: Women Work and the Will to Lead and Lean In for Graduates.
Apart from these accomplishments, she also takes an interest in philanthropy. To run philanthropic activities Sandberg has her own organization ‘Lean In. Org.’ and B.Org.
Her organization “Lean In. Org” inspires women to achieve their goals and B. Org helps those people who have experienced loss and obstacles in their lives.
All in all, Sheryl Sandberg is an iconic lady in the realm of Tech with a Net worth $2.2 B. She is not only a successful business woman but also the author of bestselling books.
10. Tory Burch
Tory Burch is a well-known name in the Fashion Industry. She is the Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of the Global Fashion Brand Tory Burch LCC.
After becoming the Executive Chairman and CCO of her namesake company in 2019, she established new steps in fashion Designing.
Time Magazine has enlisted her as one of the most influential people of 2024. Her Fashion Brand is expanding to more than 370 locations around the world and now is focusing on expanding in Asia.
In 2005, She gained the Rising Star Award for Best New Retail Concept from Fashion Group International.
In 2020, Forbes enlisted her as the 88th most powerful woman in the world. She has also introduced a sport activewear line Tory Sport but she is mostly known for her Tunics and ballet flats.
Along with business activities, she takes an interest in philanthropic efforts. In 2009, Burch founded the Tory Burch Foundation which offered an entrepreneurial Education Program.
Today her namesake Brand Tory Burch is acclaimed all over the world for its best quality and fashionable style with varieties. In recent Burch has a Net Worth of $940 million.
Overall, Tory Burch is a shining star in the realm of Fashion and style. She is an inspiration to those who want to choose Fashion Industry as their profession.
Conclusion
In summary, these remarkable successful business women have proven that with determination, resilience, and vision, nothing is impossible.
From Melanie Perkins known for her vision for introducing Canva which made creativity accessible to all to Sara Blakely who disrupted the fashion industry by creating Spanx and more, these successful business women have craved their unique path to success.
To recap, here is a brief overview of each businesswoman we have listed in our article.
- Melanie Perkins: Known for democratizing design for everyone.
- Sara Blakely: Disrupted the fashion industry with an innovative shapewear brand called Spanx.
- Kiran Mazumdar Shaw: Pioneering biotechnology and affordable healthcare solutions.
- Susan Wojcicki: Revolutionizing video content | CEO of YouTube (2014 to 2023)
- Oprah Winfrey: Known as a media powerhouse and cultural icon.
- Indra Nooyi: Former CEO of PepsiCo.
- Whitney Wolfe Herd: Founder & CEO of Bumble.
- Arianna Huffington: Redefining digital journalism and promoting well-being.
- Sheryl Sandberg: COO of Meta, Author of Lean In.
- Tory Burch: Executive Chairman and CCO of Tory Burch LCC
Now it’s your turn – unleash your inner entrepreneur and change the world!
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