Nearly a quarter of world 's leaders are women , with combined wealth of $ 100 billion . Wealth - X has compiled a list of the wealthiest women in each region . Aged just 15 , Bettencourt joined her father 's cosmetics company as an apprentice and today her $ 31.3 billion fortune makes her the richest woman in Europe , and the second richest female in the world . Topping the list in North America -- and globally -- is Penny Marshall worth $ 37.9 billion .
Nearly a quarter of world 's leaders are women , with combined wealth of $ 100 billion . Wealth - X has compiled a list of the wealthiest women in each region . Topping the list in North America -- and globally -- is Penny Marshall worth $ 37.9 billion .