In today’s fast-paced world, there’s a fascinating trend unfolding: young women are shattering traditional expectations and making waves as highly successful entrepreneurs.

With their drive, ingenuity, and fresh perspectives, they’re not just redefining what it means to succeed in business, but they’re also inspiring others to pursue their own ambitions.

As documented by the esteemed Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List, the following individuals stand as the top 10 youngest female billionaires in 2024.

Kim Jung-Youn

At a mere 20 years of age, Kim Jung-youn, born in South Korea, along with her elder sister, Jung-min, holds approximately 31% ownership in NXC, the principal shareholder of the online gaming powerhouse Nexon. Their substantial stakes were primarily inherited from their father, Kim Jung-ju, who established Nexon in 1994. Tragically, Kim Jung-ju passed away in February 2022 at the age of 54, leaving behind a profound legacy in the gaming industry.

Kim Jung-Min

Jung-min and her younger sister, Jung-youn, both possess roughly 31% ownership stakes in NXC, the primary shareholder of the online gaming titan Nexon. At 22 years old, Jung-min, like her sister, originates from South Korea. Their substantial holdings were largely bequeathed to them by their father, Kim Jung-ju, the visionary founder of Nexon in 1994.

Alexandra Andresen

At the age of 27, Alexandra Andresen of Norway has accrued a staggering $1.5 billion fortune through astute investments. Alexandra, along with her elder sister Katharina, who is one year her senior, inherited 42% ownership stakes in Ferd, the family-owned investment firm. Their father, Johan Andresen, continues to lead the company and maintains control of 70% of the voting rights through a dual-class share structure. Ferd is renowned for managing hedge funds, engaging in active investments on the Nordic stock exchange, and venturing into private equity investments.

Katharina Andresen

Katharina Andresen, born in 1995, stands as one of the youngest billionaires globally. Alongside her sister Alexandra, who is one year her junior, Katharina inherited 42% ownership shares in Ferd, the family’s investment company. Katharina’s ascent to billionaire status, with a net worth of $1.5 billion, further solidifies the family’s financial legacy.

Taylor Swift

In October 2023, Taylor Swift ascended to billionaire status, propelled by the earnings from her Eras tour and the considerable value of her music catalogue. The iconic musician, aged 34, boasts a net worth of $1.1 billion. Swift’s achievement marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first musician to reach billionaire status solely through her songs and performances. Her vast fortune encompasses over $500 million in estimated wealth accrued from royalties and touring, complemented by a music catalogue valued at $500 million and investments in real estate amounting to approximately $125 million.

Franziska Wuerbser

At 35 years old, Franziska Wuerbser of Germany boasts a net worth of $1.6 billion. She is the daughter of Gabriella Meister, one of four family heirs who collectively inherited 63% ownership of Rational AG, a leading kitchen appliance manufacturer. Notably, Rational AG commands over 50% of the global market for food preparation appliances utilised in large-scale and commercial kitchens. Wuerbser’s substantial wealth is intricately tied to the success and market dominance of Rational AG in the culinary industry.

Rihanna

At 35 years old, Rihanna, the pride of Barbados and a global icon, has achieved billionaire status, largely propelled by the remarkable success of her cosmetics line, Fenty Beauty. Co-owned with the renowned French luxury retailer LVMH, Fenty Beauty experienced a doubling of its revenue in 2022, contributing significantly to Rihanna’s wealth. Additionally, she holds a 30% stake in the Savage x Fenty lingerie line, which garnered substantial attention by securing investments at a valuation of $1 billion in February 2021. With a net worth of $1.4 billion, Rihanna’s entrepreneurial ventures have solidified her status not only as a music and fashion icon but also as a shrewd businesswoman.

Melanie Perkins

With a net worth of $3.6 billion, 36-year-old Melanie Perkins of Australia has reached remarkable success in the software industry as the co-founder and CEO of Canva, a design software maker. Canva, launched in 2013 in Sydney, Australia, by Perkins, her now-husband Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams, defied initial investor scepticism about its location and surged in value. In September 2021, private investors valued Canva at an impressive $40 billion. Perkins, alongside Obrecht, holds an estimated 18% ownership stake in the company. Notably, the couple has committed to transferring more than 80% of their stake to the Canva Foundation, dedicated to supporting charitable causes.

Ginia Rinehart

At 37 years old, Ginia Rinehart, the youngest child of Australian mining tycoon Gina Rinehart, has firmly established herself in her family’s legacy of mining wealth. With a net worth of $2.1 billion, Ginia Rinehart has followed in her family’s footsteps, benefiting from a trust that she shares with her three siblings. This trust holds a significant stake in the mining powerhouse Hancock Prospecting. Notably, Ginia Rinehart opted to remain uninvolved in a contentious legal dispute aimed at gaining control of the trust from her mother, choosing instead to focus on her own ventures within the mining industry.

Eva Maria Braun-Luedicke

At 37 years old, Eva Maria Braun-Luedicke has amassed a substantial net worth of $1.6 billion, primarily through her remarkable success in the field of medical technology. She holds a notable 12% ownership stake in the esteemed medical device company B. Braun Melsungen, which traces its origins back to 1839 when it began as a small pharmacy specialising in herbal remedies. (Saturday Tribune)

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