Men have been at the top of the leading board for years, dominating the world of business. But with the rise of influential women like Coco Chanel and Estée Lauder came the launch of a whole new era for businesswomen across the globe. Today, women are sitting side by side and establishing their businesses as household names in a variety of industries, including publishing, technology, fashion, broadcasting and beauty. And to inspire you to do the same, we’ve listed the most powerful businesswomen in the world today.
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The Most Powerful Businesswomen In The World
1. Sophia Amoruso
Company: Nasty Gal and Girlboss Media
Age: 36
Net worth: $5 million (£4 million)
Sophia Amoruso had her fair share of knockbacks when building her empire but has since managed to pull through and create an inspiring brand for Millennials.
In 2015, she stepped down as Nasty Gal’s CEO and watched the company file for bankruptcy, but this was just a setback and went on to develop her new venture, Girlboss, a site that’s dedicated to advising and empowering women on wellness, beauty, careers and more. Although she went from having a net worth of $280 million in 2016 to $5 million today, her entrepreneurial spirit landed her a spot on this list!
2. Huda Kattan
Company: Huda Beauty
Age: 36
Net worth: $610 million (£460 million)
Huda Kattan started her beauty empire after she quit her finance gig in Dubai. Struggling to find great quality false eyelashes as a freelance makeup artist, the beauty mogul decided to start making her own synthetic and faux minx eyelashes. After becoming the new ‘it’ product for Kim Kardashian, Huda Beauty lashes sold out within the first day, making makeup queen Kattan a person to look out for. Since then, her beauty empire has expanded to skincare with the launch of her new range Wishful, promoting natural, glowing skin.
3. Tory Burch
Company: Tory Burch
Age: 54
Net worth: $850 million (£640 million)
After gaining work experience in some of the biggest fashion houses in the world, including Polo Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang and Loewe, Tory Burch decided to spread out her wings and build her own label. In 2004, she launched her very own fashion brand, which has become a huge success with unique and on-trend designs.
With her rise to fame, Burch wanted to get involved in philanthropy and founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which supports women with cancer and provides awareness to young women about the disease.
4. JK Rowling
Profession: Novelist, film producer and screenwriter
Age: 55
Net worth: $60 million (£45 million)
British novelist JK Rowling is one of the most powerful businesswomen who faced her fair share of obstacles and rejection when she was trying to publish her first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Once she managed to break through the publishing barriers, though, Rowling’s books became an instant hit seemingly overnight, turning the book series into films, merchandise and even adventure parks.
5. Vera Wang
Company: Vera Wang
Age: 71
Net worth: $460 million (£350 million)
Vera Wang was a late bloomer, compared to the rest of the ladies on this list. It wasn’t until she designed her own wedding dress at the age of 40 that she decided to start her own fashion label. Luckily, Wang had all the right contacts, having worked at Vogue magazine, to make her brand a success. She has since expanded her company and now designs everything from jewellery to homeware and kitchenware, as well as clothes, shoes and accessories.
7. Martha Stewart
Company: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
Age: 79
Net worth: $638 million (£480 million)
Martha Stewart grew to stardom as a celebrity chef, publishing a number of cookbooks and writing columns for several magazines. In 1997, the businesswoman centralized all her ventures with the creation of her media company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. She has since delved into TV and radio, and she continues to focus on her cooking success.
8. Indra Nooyi, Former CEO of PepsiCo
After joining PepsiCo in 1994, Indra Nooyi was named the company’s 5th CEO eight years later in 2006. Under Nooyi’s guidance, PepsiCo succeeded much by way of expansion and acquisition. This includes the purchase of Tropicana in 1998. And a merger with the Quaker Oats Company in 2001. The former alone gave PepsiCo a competitive edge, as Tropicana controlled 44% of the American chilled fruit juice trade.
Nooyi has also driven PepsiCo towards a healthier approach to its snacks and drinks. Expanding the number of healthy options the company offers, she also found ways of making its “fun” items healthier too.
In 2007 and 2008, Nooyi was listed as one of the Wall Street Journal’s 50 Women to Watch. And in October 2010 she was ranked by Fortune magazine at 6th place on their list for the Most Powerful Women in the World. By 2015, she climbed to 2nd place.
