The automobile business, which has traditionally been dominated by men, is undergoing a dramatic transformation with the rise of female billionaires who are navigating their way to the top. These three powerful women have flourished in this field and built significant fortunes, breaking age-related preconceptions and demonstrating that brilliance and invention have no limitations.
According to Forbes, as of March 8, these women, ages 61, 80, and 82, had a total wealth of $38.5 billion. Their ongoing influence in the automobile industry is due to their strategic investments, business savvy, and commitment to innovation. Let’s look at the profiles of these trailblazing female billionaires who are influencing change in the automotive business.
1. Susanne Klatten
Susanne Klatten, who has a remarkable net worth of $26.4 billion, is an automobile industry giant. She was born in 1962 in Bad Homburg, Germany, and inherited a large share in BMW from her legendary industrialist parents, Herbert and Johanna Quandt. Klatten’s 19% ownership of the German luxury automotive company, combined with her brother Stefan Quandt’s approximately 24%, has contributed significantly to BMW’s long-term prosperity.
However, Klatten’s commercial interests extend beyond the automotive industry. She is the sole owner and deputy chair of Altana, a chemical company with annual sales of more than $2.5 billion, and has investments in Entrust, a digital identity and data security provider, and SGL Group, a manufacturer of carbon and graphite. Her strategic investments and economic ability have garnered her a high ranking on Forbes’ list of female billionaires.
2. Gail Miller
Gail Miller, 80, is an influential player in the American automotive industry with a net worth of $3.9 billion. She co-founded the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies with her late husband Larry, growing from a single Toyota dealership to the eighth-largest auto dealer group in the United States. In 2021, she sold the business to Asbury Automotive for $3.2 billion.
Miller’s corporate empire includes real estate, healthcare, banking, and entertainment, in addition to cars. Her humanitarian activities and community involvement, together with her inspiring book “Courage To Be You,” have cemented her place as a renowned figure in American industry.
3. Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler
Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler-Thumann, 82, is a major player in German car parts production. She and her son Georg own the Schaeffler Group, a multinational technological firm that is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of ball bearings and machine components. With a net worth of $8.2 billion, she took over in 1996 after her husband’s death.
Under her leadership, the Schaeffler Group bought Continental AG in 2008, marking a significant milestone in the company’s history. Her entrepreneurial drive and devotion to innovation have propelled the company to the forefront of the global auto parts market, making a significant contribution to the evolution of the sector.