15 Famous Women Business Leaders in History

Throughout history, women in business have defied societal expectations and transformed industries with their entrepreneurial vision, leadership, and innovation. These women not only broke through the glass ceiling but also reshaped global economies, leading companies, founding enterprises, and inspiring future generations of business leaders. At Oxford Summer Courses, we explore the stories of these pioneering women, encouraging students to embrace their potential and influence in the business world.

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These 15 women business leaders have transformed industries and continue to inspire entrepreneurs across the world.

1. Madam C.J. Walker (1867–1919)

Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove, was an African-American entrepreneur and philanthropist who became one of the first female self-made millionaires in the United States. She built her fortune by developing and marketing a line of cosmetics and hair care products for African-American women.

Famous works:

• Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower - Her signature product, a hair growth treatment, became wildly popular among African-American women, helping her to build a beauty empire.
• Philanthropic Efforts - Walker was deeply involved in philanthropy, donating large sums to educational institutions and African-American causes.

Awards and Legacy:

• Walker’s legacy is celebrated as one of the most successful African-American entrepreneurs of her time. Her business acumen and dedication to social causes have inspired generations of women entrepreneurs, and she was posthumously inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993.

2. Coco Chanel (1883–1971)

Coco Chanel revolutionised the fashion industry with her modernist approach, liberating women from the restrictive clothing of the 19th century. She founded the Chanel brand, which remains one of the most iconic and successful luxury fashion houses in the world.

Famous works:

• Chanel No. 5 - Chanel’s signature fragrance, launched in 1921, became a symbol of luxury and sophistication.
• The Little Black Dress - Chanel popularised the concept of the "little black dress," which became a timeless fashion staple.

Awards and Legacy:

• Chanel’s influence on fashion and business was recognised worldwide. In 1957, she was awarded the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award for her contributions to the industry. Her brand, Chanel, remains a global leader in fashion and beauty, embodying her vision of timeless elegance.

3. Estée Lauder (1906–2004)

Estée Lauder was the co-founder of the Estée Lauder Companies, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of skincare, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products. She built a beauty empire by focusing on high-quality products and personalised customer service.

Famous works:

• Youth-Dew - One of her first successful products, this bath oil doubled as a perfume, revolutionising how women used fragrances.
• Estée Lauder Companies - Lauder grew her company into a global business, acquiring brands like Clinique and MAC Cosmetics.

Awards and Legacy:

• Lauder received numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004. Her commitment to innovation, branding, and customer care made her one of the most influential women in the beauty industry.

4. Oprah Winfrey (1954– )

Oprah Winfrey is a media mogul, talk show host, and philanthropist who became the first African-American woman to own a production company. Her influence spans television, film, publishing, and philanthropy, making her one of the most powerful women in business.

Famous works:

• The Oprah Winfrey Show - Winfrey’s talk show became the highest-rated television program of its kind, running for 25 years.
• OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network - Winfrey founded her own television network, expanding her media empire.

Awards and Legacy:

• Winfrey has received numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and an honorary Academy Award. Her business acumen, combined with her commitment to social causes, has made her one of the most respected figures in media and business.

5. Martha Stewart (1941– )

Martha Stewart is an American businesswoman, television personality, and author who built a multimedia empire based on cooking, entertaining, and home décor. Her brand became synonymous with domestic expertise and elegant living.

Famous works:

• Martha Stewart Living - Stewart’s lifestyle magazine became a go-to resource for homemaking, cooking, and entertaining tips.
• Television and Product Lines - Stewart expanded her brand into television, publishing, and home goods, turning her name into a household brand.

Awards and Legacy:

• Stewart received numerous business awards, including the Edison Achievement Award. Her success in building a multimedia lifestyle brand has made her an iconic figure in American business.

6. Sheryl Sandberg (1969– )

Sheryl Sandberg is an American business executive and author who served as the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook (now Meta) for over a decade. She played a pivotal role in scaling the company and making it one of the most successful social media platforms in the world.

Famous works:

• Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead - Sandberg’s best-selling book encourages women to pursue leadership positions and challenges the barriers women face in the workplace.
• Scaling Facebook - Sandberg was instrumental in monetising Facebook’s advertising platform, contributing to its financial success.

Awards and Legacy:

• Sandberg was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world and has been recognised by Fortune and Forbes as one of the most powerful women in business. Her advocacy for women in the workplace continues to inspire leadership discussions globally.

7. Indra Nooyi (1955– )

Indra Nooyi is an Indian-American businesswoman who served as the CEO and Chairperson of PepsiCo, making her one of the most powerful female executives in the world. She led the company through a period of significant growth and innovation.

Famous works:

• Leading PepsiCo - Under Nooyi’s leadership, PepsiCo expanded its product lines to focus on healthier options and sustainability.
• Performance with Purpose - Nooyi’s business philosophy emphasised balancing financial success with social responsibility, guiding PepsiCo’s long-term strategy.

Awards and Legacy:

• Nooyi has received numerous honours, including being named one of the world’s 100 most powerful women by Forbes and receiving the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award. Her leadership at PepsiCo is widely regarded as a model of corporate social responsibility.

8. Arianna Huffington (1950– ) Arianna Huffington is a Greek-American businesswoman and author, best known as the founder of The Huffington Post, one of the most popular news websites in the world. She later launched Thrive Global, focusing on health and well-being.

Famous works:

• The Huffington Post - Huffington founded the news and blog site, which became a major player in digital media and was later sold to AOL for $315 million.
• Thrive Global - Huffington’s latest venture focuses on promoting health and well-being in the workplace.

Awards and Legacy:

• Huffington was named to Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world and has received numerous awards for her contributions to media and business. Her work in promoting health and well-being continues to shape corporate culture globally.

9. Melinda Gates (1964– )

Melinda Gates is an American philanthropist and former general manager at Microsoft. As co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, she has been instrumental in shaping global health and development policies.

Famous works:

• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - Gates co-founded one of the largest private charitable foundations in the world, focusing on global health, education, and poverty alleviation.
• The Moment of Lift (2019) - Gates authored this best-selling book on women’s empowerment and global development.

Awards and Legacy:

• Gates has received numerous accolades for her philanthropic work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She continues to be a leading voice in global development, particularly in empowering women and improving healthcare.

10. Angela Ahrendts (1960– )

Angela Ahrendts is an American businesswoman who served as the CEO of Burberry before becoming Senior Vice President of Retail at Apple. She transformed Burberry into a digital leader in the fashion industry and later revitalised Apple’s retail operations.

Famous works:

• Transforming Burberry - Ahrendts led Burberry’s digital transformation, making the brand one of the most innovative in the luxury fashion sector.
• Apple Retail Experience - At Apple, Ahrendts oversaw the redesign of its retail stores, focusing on enhancing customer experience.

Awards and Legacy:

• Ahrendts was named one of the world’s most powerful women by Forbes and received the British Fashion Council’s Outstanding Achievement Award. Her leadership in retail innovation has had a lasting impact on both the fashion and technology industries.

11. Helena Morrissey (1966– )

Helena Morrissey is a British financier and former CEO of Newton Investment Management. She is also the founder of the 30% Club, a campaign for gender diversity on corporate boards.

Famous works:

• Newton Investment Management - Under Morrissey’s leadership, the firm grew significantly, managing billions in assets.
• The 30% Club - Morrissey founded this influential campaign to increase female representation on company boards, which has achieved global success.

Awards and Legacy:

• Morrissey was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her services to business and gender equality. Her work in finance and advocacy for women’s representation continues to influence corporate culture.

12. Cher Wang (1958– )

Cher Wang is a Taiwanese entrepreneur and co-founder of HTC, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of smartphones and virtual reality technology. Her leadership has made HTC a major player in the technology sector.

Famous works:

• HTC Smartphones - Wang co-founded HTC, which became a pioneer in the development of smartphones and virtual reality.
• Virtual Reality - Wang led HTC’s expansion into virtual reality with the launch of the HTC Vive, one of the most advanced VR systems available.

Awards and Legacy:

• Wang has been recognised as one of the most powerful women in technology by Forbes and has received numerous awards for her contributions to the tech industry. Her leadership at HTC has had a lasting impact on both the smartphone and VR markets.

13. Anne Mulcahy (1952– )

Anne Mulcahy is an American businesswoman and former CEO of Xerox Corporation. She is credited with saving the company from bankruptcy by restructuring its operations and focusing on customer service.

Famous works:

• Turning Around Xerox - Mulcahy led Xerox through a major financial crisis, implementing cost-cutting measures and refocusing on core business strategies.
• Leadership and Change Management - Mulcahy’s leadership style emphasised the importance of employee engagement and customer satisfaction.

Awards and Legacy:

• Mulcahy was named one of the most powerful women in business by Fortune and received numerous awards for her leadership during Xerox’s turnaround. Her success in leading a major corporation through crisis has made her a role model for business leaders.

14. Sara Blakely (1971– )

Sara Blakely is an American entrepreneur and founder of Spanx, a company specialising in shapewear and undergarments. She built her business from scratch, becoming one of the youngest self-made female billionaires.

Famous works:

• Spanx - Blakely invented and marketed Spanx, which became a global brand and revolutionised the shapewear industry.
• Philanthropy and Entrepreneurship - Blakely has donated millions to women’s empowerment causes and is an advocate for female entrepreneurs.

Awards and Legacy:

• Blakely was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people and has received numerous awards for her entrepreneurial achievements. Her success story continues to inspire women in business around the world.

15. Mary Barra (1961– )

Mary Barra is the CEO of General Motors, making her the first woman to lead a major global automaker. She has overseen significant changes at GM, including a focus on electric vehicles and sustainability.

Famous works:

• Leading General Motors - Barra has led GM through a transformative period, focusing on innovation and sustainability in the automotive industry.
• Electric Vehicle Development - Under Barra’s leadership, GM has committed to developing a wide range of electric vehicles to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

Awards and Legacy:

• Barra has been named one of the world’s most powerful women by Forbes and Fortune and received numerous accolades for her leadership in the automotive industry. Her focus on innovation and sustainability continues to shape the future of transportation.

How did the personal experiences and backgrounds of these famous women business leaders influence their contributions to the field?

Many of these women were driven by personal challenges or unique experiences that shaped their approach to business. For example, Sara Blakely’s frustration with traditional undergarments led her to create Spanx, while Madam C.J. Walker’s personal experience with hair loss inspired her to start her beauty empire. Their diverse backgrounds allowed them to bring fresh perspectives to their industries, leading to innovation and success.

What challenges did these women business leaders face during their careers, and how did they overcome them?

Women in business often faced significant challenges, including gender discrimination, limited access to funding, and societal expectations. Many, like Oprah Winfrey and Indra Nooyi, had to prove themselves in male-dominated industries. Despite these obstacles, their determination and vision allowed them to succeed and pave the way for future generations of women leaders.

How did the contributions of these women business leaders impact broader business and cultural movements?

The contributions of these women have had a lasting impact on industries ranging from technology and fashion to media and automotive manufacturing. Their leadership and innovation have influenced global business practices, corporate culture, and social movements, including gender equality and corporate social responsibility.

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