The Richest Black Women, 2019

They have been able to break glass ceilings, some have diligently built on the legacy of their parents. These women of African descent have proven that wealth does not recognize gender, race or geography. Despite the multiplicity of roles, these women have pulled through to an enviable height. 

1. Isabel Dos Santos

Isabel Dos Santos has a net worth of $3.5 Billion. She is the first daughter of Angolan president, José Eduardo Dos Santos.

She is among the list of 2015 100 most influential women in the world according to Forbes (a world economy analysis site).

She is top on the list of women billionaires in Africa. She’s the CEO of Miami Beach club which was inaugurated in 1997. She is also the chairwoman of Sanagol company, Angola’s leading oil and gas company.

2. Oprah Winfrey

Born in 1954, Mississippi, US. She is also one of the few wealthy black people alive 

Popular for her talk show, Oprah Winfrey is also an actress, producer and a much more into charity. Oprah Winfrey made her huge fortune by running daytime TV shows

At a time, she was declared as the greatest black philanthropist in the history of America. She was also the most influential black woman and the richest African American woman.

She is worth over $3 billion.

3. Folorunsho Alakija

With a net worth of $2.6 billion, Folurunso Alakija was a financial secretary in the banking system (FCMB). She is an Oil and gas magnate, real estate, fashion designer, etc. She is also the richest woman in Nigeria alive today and is happily married with children and grand children.

4. Sheila Crump Johnson

Sheila Crump Johnson is also one of the wealthiest black woman on our list. Research has it that she is the fourth world’s richest black woman on earth with an estimated net worth of $740 million.

She is also the founder of Black Television Entertainment, a leading station in the media industry. She also has stakes in NBA, NHL, WNBA.

5. Hajia Bola Shagaya

She has a net worth estimated at $630 million. 

Bola Shagaya’s wealth reflects her entrepreneurship zeal, especially the real estate business across Europe and the United states.

She has flourished in photography, communications, oil, fashion, banking and real estate business.

6. Ngina Kenyatta

She is the wife to the former President of Kenya. Her net worth is estimated at $515 million according to Forbes. She is in charge of majority of the multi-national companies in the East African country, which are said to be worth millions of dollars. Most of the businesses she possesses ranges from real estate, manufacturing, farming and banking.

7. Beyonce

She runs the world! Beyonce Knowles, female singer and wife to popular rich American rapper, Jay-z.

Apart from being one of the richest black women in the world, Beyonce is known to be the most popular female singer across the globe. It is said that she has made money through various sponsorship deals.

She has a popular record label to her credit - Parkwood Entertainment. She is also into fashion and modelling, where she has her own brand. Beyonce is said to be worth $450 Million.

8. Wendy Appelbaum

This South African business tycoon got her huge fortune when her late father willed her all his property. She has invested in hotel business, real estate and diamonds. Wendy Appelbaum's net worth is estimated at $310 million according to Forbes.

9. Rosalind Brewer

She is one of the most influential women in the world and 57th most powerful. She is also the first African-American to become Sam’s club president.

10. Risa Lavizzo Mourey

Born in 1954 at Seattle, Washington. She’s an American doctor and executive who served as President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation from 2003 to 2017. She was the first woman and the first African-American to head the Foundation, which has an endowment of about $8 billion and distributes more than $400 million a year.

Honourable mention:

The wife of America's 44th president - Barrack Obama with a net worth of $100 million. Her recent book tour and her role during the 2016 US election made her the most influential woman in 2018.

Header image credit: The African Exponent