Top 10 Richest Woman in the world

1.     Christy Walton - Currently reigning the title of the world's richest woman, Christy Walton, 56, inherited the wealth of her deceased husband, John T. Walton in 2005. Amassing a wealth of US$26.5 billion, Christy is the 4th richest person in the US and 10th richest person in the world! She holds major stakes in the Wal Mart retail stores and also in First Solar, the global giant in manufacturing of photovoltaic (PV) solar modules.

2.     Lilliane Bettencourt - The heir to the world's largest cosmetic and beauty company, L'Oreal, Lilliane Bettencourt, 88, has US$23.5 billion as her assets. She is the richest woman in France and is a famous business woman and a philanthropist. After the death of her father, she has been a major shareholder in L'Oreal.

3.     Alice Walton - Alice, 61, is the daughter of Wal Mart founder, Sam Walton and is the American heiress to the fortunes of Wal Mart. Just like her sister-in-law, Christy Walton, Alice Walton is amongst the top 10 world's richest women in 2011, with US$21.2 bn in her kitty.

4.     Iris Fontbona - Iris Fontbona is the second wife of Andronico Luksica, a Chilean businessman and founder of Luksic group. After the death of Andronico Luksica in 2005 due to cancer, major shareholdings of the Luksic group that has diversified in many sectors including mining, financial, industrial and beverages, were legally awarded to Iris Fontbona & family, making their net worth equal to US$19.2 billion!

5.     Sussane Klatten - With US$14.6 billion on her name, Sussane Klatten, 48 is the richest woman in Germany and 44th richest person in the world. After her father died, Sussane acquired his 50% stake in the German chemical giant Atlanta and 12.5% stake in the iconic BMW. Sussane, an economist and an MBA, has now acquired complete control in Atlanta and is a member of Board of both the major German companies. She has also invested in alternative energy companies like Nordex AG and several other companies. She is certainly amongst the most powerful and wealthy women in the world.

6.     Birgit Rausing - The global leader in liquid food processing and packaging, Tetra Laval, was founded by Gad Rausing in Lausanne, Switzerland. After Gad's death in 2000, his wife, Birgit Rausing took control of the Tetra Laval group, worth US$14 billion. Along with her three children, Birgit heads the 31,000 work force company spread in 165 countries.

7.     Anne Cox Chambers  - Anne Cox, 91, is the daughter of James M. Cox, who founded the Cox enterprises decades ago. Cox enterprises is one of the biggest diversified media companies in the US and is worth US$13.4 bn.

8.     Savitri Jindal - At 61, Savitri Jindal is officially the Chair person of India based O.P. Jindal Group, that is worth US$13.2 billion. OP Jindal Group was founded by Savitri's late husband Om Prakash Jindal. Jindal Group is a major steel and power conglomerate in India and the world. Practically, its businesses are run by Savitri's four sons.

9.     Abigail Johnson - She is the daughter of Edward Johnson, the businessman and investor who founded America's biggest mutual fund company, Fidelity Investments and Fidelity International. Abigail Johnson, 49, along with her father runs the US$11.3 bn Fidelity Investment company.

10.  Jacqueline Mars - Jacqueline Mars, 71, owns shares in Mars, the legendary makers of Snickers, M&Ms and other global brands of chocolates. In 2008, Mars acquired Wrigley for US$23 bn and became the world's largest confectionery company. Jacqueline Mars has net worth of US$10 bn giving her a place in the top 10 list of richest women in the world.