12. Gina Rinehart, 61, from Australia ($12.3 Billion)

Gina is the only child of daughter of Lang Hancock. After the death of her father in March 1992, Rinehart became Chairman of Hancock Prospecting Pty Limited (HPPL) and the HPPL Group of companies. Rinehart owns a substantial stake in Australian media organisations. She is a major shareholder in Fairfax Media and Ten Network Holdings.

11. Abigail Johnson, 53, from USA ($13.4 Billion)

Abigail is the President and Chief Executive Officer of US investment firm Fidelity Investments and chairman of its international company Fidelity Worldwide Investment. This company was founded by her grandfather, Edward C. Johnson II.

10. Iris Fontbona, 73, from Chile ($13.5 Billion)

Iris inherited her husband’s fortune. Antonio AndrÃ³nico Luksic Abaroa was a Chilean businessman wh founded the Luksic Group which has interests in mining, financial, industrial and the beverages sectors.

9. Johanna Quandt, 89, from Germany ($13.9 Billion)

Wife of Herbert Quandt and mother of Susanne Klatten, Johanna and her husband are credited with saving BMW from bankruptcy. She died in August this year.

8. Susanne Klatten, 53, from Germany ($16.8 Billion)

Susanne inherited her father’s (Herbert Quandt) 50.1% stake in pharmaceutical and chemicals manufacturer Altana. She also inherited 12.5% stake in BMW. As an accomplished businesswoman, she increased her wealth.

7. Anne Cox Chambers, 95, from USA ($17 Billion)

Anne is a media tycoon, who inherited Cox Enterprises from her father. This privately held media empire includes newspapers, television, radio, cable television, and other businesses.