15 Famous Female Entrepreneurs in History

Throughout history, female entrepreneurs have defied societal expectations, overcome challenges, and built successful businesses that have had a lasting impact on economies worldwide. From technology and fashion to media and hospitality, these pioneering women have led the way, inspiring countless others to follow in their footsteps. Their famous works, achievements, and awards continue to define what it means to be a leader in business. At Oxford Summer Courses, we encourage students to channel the spirit of these entrepreneurial leaders in their own pursuits.

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Here are 15 famous female entrepreneurs who have left an indelible mark on history through their significant contributions.

1. Oprah Winfrey (1954– )

Oprah Winfrey is one of the most successful and influential female entrepreneurs in history. From her beginnings as a television host, she built a multimedia empire, becoming one of the richest and most powerful women in the world.

Famous works:

• The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986–2011) - The highest-rated talk show in television history.
• Harpo Productions - Winfrey's multimedia production company, which includes television, films, and books.

Awards and Legacy:

• Winfrey has received numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, multiple Daytime Emmy Awards, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. Her influence extends far beyond media, making her a key figure in philanthropy and social activism.

2. Sara Blakely (1971– )

Sara Blakely is the founder of Spanx, a shapewear brand that revolutionised the fashion industry. Starting with just $5,000 in savings, Blakely grew her company into a billion-dollar business, becoming the youngest self-made female billionaire in the world.

Famous works:

• Spanx - Blakely’s invention of shapewear transformed the lingerie industry by focusing on comfort, fit, and empowerment.
• The Sara Blakely Foundation - Established to support women through education and entrepreneurial initiatives.

Awards and Legacy:

• Blakely was listed on Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2012 and was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2021. Her success has inspired countless female entrepreneurs globally.

3. Coco Chanel (1883–1971)

Coco Chanel was a French fashion designer and businesswoman who founded the Chanel brand. Her influence on fashion is unparalleled, and her designs, including the iconic Chanel suit and the little black dress, revolutionised women's fashion in the 20th century.

Famous works:

• Chanel No. 5 - The most famous perfume in the world, introduced in 1921.
• The Chanel Suit - A symbol of modern women's fashion, introduced in the 1920s.

Awards and Legacy:

• Chanel was named in Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century. Her fashion empire remains one of the most valuable brands in the world, continuing her legacy as an icon of style and innovation.

4. Anita Roddick (1942–2007)

Anita Roddick was the British founder of The Body Shop, a cosmetics company that pioneered the use of ethical, natural ingredients and championed environmental activism. She was one of the early advocates for corporate social responsibility.

Famous works: The Body Shop - Roddick built a global brand known for its ethical business practices and social activism. Business as Unusual (2000) - Roddick’s book on how she built The Body Shop, while challenging business conventions.

Awards and Legacy:

• Roddick received the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2003 for her contributions to business and social causes. She left behind a legacy of ethical entrepreneurship that continues to influence businesses today.

5. Estée Lauder (1906–2004)

Estée Lauder co-founded the beauty brand Estée Lauder Companies, which has become one of the world’s leading manufacturers of skincare, makeup, and fragrance products. Lauder’s innovative approach to marketing transformed the cosmetics industry.

Famous works:

• Estée Lauder - The beauty brand that revolutionised the way cosmetics were marketed and sold.
• Clinique - A sub-brand under Estée Lauder known for its dermatologist-developed skincare.

Awards and Legacy:

• Lauder was named one of Time magazine’s 20 most influential business geniuses of the 20th century. Her company remains a dominant force in the beauty industry, with brands like MAC and Bobbi Brown under its umbrella.

6. Sheryl Sandberg (1969– )

Sheryl Sandberg is the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook (now Meta) and the founder of LeanIn.Org, an organisation that advocates for women in the workplace. Sandberg’s leadership has helped transform Facebook into one of the most valuable companies in the world.

Famous works:

• Lean In (2013) - Sandberg’s bestselling book on leadership and women’s empowerment.
• Facebook/Meta - Sandberg’s work as COO helped Facebook scale globally and establish its advertising model.

Awards and Legacy:

• Sandberg has been listed multiple times on Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list and Forbes’ Most Powerful Women in Business. She continues to be a strong advocate for gender equality in the workplace.

7. Sophia Amoruso (1984– )

Sophia Amoruso is the founder of Nasty Gal, a fashion retailer, and Girlboss Media, a company that creates content and events for women in business. She became a symbol of millennial entrepreneurship after building a multimillion-dollar fashion empire from a small eBay store.

Famous works:

• Nasty Gal - Amoruso’s fashion company, known for its edgy and vintage-inspired clothing.
• #GIRLBOSS (2014) - Amoruso’s memoir, which became a New York Times bestseller and inspired a Netflix series.

Awards and Legacy:

• Amoruso was named one of Forbes’ 30 under 30 in 2013. Despite facing challenges in her business journey, her story has inspired a new generation of female entrepreneurs to embrace their unique paths to success.

8. Madame C.J. Walker (1867–1919)

Madame C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove, was the first African-American woman to become a self-made millionaire. She founded a line of hair care products specifically designed for African-American women, transforming beauty standards and entrepreneurship.

Famous works:

• Madame C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company - Walker’s line of hair care products, which empowered African-American women to take control of their beauty routines.
• Philanthropy - Walker was known for her contributions to African-American causes, including the NAACP and Black colleges.

Awards and Legacy:

• Walker’s legacy continues through the Madame C.J. Walker Beauty Culture brand, now part of Sundial Brands. She is remembered not only as an entrepreneur but also as a philanthropist and social activist.

9. Arianna Huffington (1950– )

Arianna Huffington is the co-founder of The Huffington Post and the founder and CEO of Thrive Global, a wellness and productivity company. She is one of the most influential figures in media and business, known for her advocacy of work-life balance.

Famous works:

• The Huffington Post - Huffington co-founded this news and opinion site, which became one of the most visited websites in the world.
• Thrive (2014) - Huffington’s bestselling book on redefining success and well-being in the workplace.

Awards and Legacy:

• Huffington has been listed on Forbes’ Most Powerful Women in Media and Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People. Her work in promoting wellness and preventing burnout has had a significant impact on modern business culture.

10. Mary Barra (1961– )

Mary Barra is the Chair and CEO of General Motors (GM), making her the first female CEO of a major global automaker. Barra has led GM through significant changes, including its pivot towards electric vehicles and sustainability.

Famous works:

• Leadership at General Motors - Barra has overseen GM’s transformation into a more sustainable company with a focus on electric vehicles.
• Inclusion and Diversity Advocacy - Barra has championed diversity and inclusion initiatives within GM, making the company a leader in workplace equality.

Awards and Legacy:

• Barra has been named on Forbes’ list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women and was awarded the Stanford Graduate School of Business’ Arbuckle Award for leadership. She remains a trailblazer in the male-dominated automotive industry.

11. Radhika Aggarwal (1975– )

Radhika Aggarwal is the co-founder of ShopClues, an Indian e-commerce platform. As one of India’s most prominent female entrepreneurs, Aggarwal helped build ShopClues into one of the country’s largest online marketplaces.

Famous works:

• ShopClues - Aggarwal co-founded this e-commerce platform, which serves millions of customers across India.
• Advocacy for Women in Tech - Aggarwal has been an advocate for more female representation in the Indian tech industry.

Awards and Legacy:

• Aggarwal has been named one of the Most Powerful Women in Business by Fortune India and received the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award. Her contributions to India’s e-commerce landscape have made her a key figure in the country’s startup ecosystem.

12. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (1953– )

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is the founder of Biocon, a biopharmaceutical company in India. She is one of the most influential women in the biotechnology industry, and her company has played a crucial role in making affordable healthcare accessible in developing countries.

Famous works:

• Biocon - Mazumdar-Shaw founded this biopharmaceutical company, which specialises in the production of biosimilars and generic drugs.
• Philanthropy - Through her foundation, Mazumdar-Shaw has supported healthcare initiatives in India, particularly in cancer treatment.

Awards and Legacy:

• Mazumdar-Shaw has been awarded the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, two of India’s highest civilian honours. She has also been featured on Forbes’ list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.

13. Whitney Wolfe Herd (1989– )

Whitney Wolfe Herd is the founder and CEO of Bumble, a dating app that allows women to make the first move. She has become one of the youngest female CEOs to take a company public, and Bumble’s success has made her a prominent figure in the tech industry.

Famous works:

• Bumble - Wolfe Herd founded Bumble, which expanded beyond dating into social networking and professional connections.
• Advocacy for Women’s Empowerment - Wolfe Herd has been an outspoken advocate for women in technology and leadership roles.

Awards and Legacy:

• Wolfe Herd became the youngest female self-made billionaire when Bumble went public in 2021. She has been listed on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People.

14. Cher Wang (1958– )

Cher Wang is a Taiwanese entrepreneur and co-founder of HTC, a global leader in smartphone technology. Under her leadership, HTC became one of the early pioneers of the smartphone revolution, introducing innovations that transformed the industry.

Famous works:

• HTC - Wang co-founded this leading smartphone manufacturer, known for its contributions to mobile technology.
• Vive - HTC’s venture into virtual reality technology, which has been a major player in the VR market.

Awards and Legacy:

• Wang has been named on Forbes’ list of the World’s Most Powerful Women and was inducted into the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame. Her leadership in the tech industry continues to inspire future generations of female entrepreneurs.

15. Debbi Fields (1956– )

Debbi Fields is the founder of Mrs. Fields Cookies, a global chain of cookie stores that became synonymous with high-quality baked goods. Starting with one small shop, Fields grew her business into a global franchise.

Famous works:

• Mrs. Fields Cookies - Fields founded this cookie empire, which became a household name in the food industry.
• Cookbooks and Media - Fields has authored several cookbooks and has been a prominent media figure, promoting entrepreneurship.

Awards and Legacy:

• Fields has been inducted into the Entrepreneur Hall of Fame and received the Golden Gavel Award. Her success as a self-made entrepreneur remains an inspiration for aspiring business owners worldwide.

How did the personal experiences and backgrounds of these famous female entrepreneurs influence their achievements?

These female entrepreneurs drew from personal experiences, resilience, and determination to create successful businesses. Oprah Winfrey’s background in poverty and adversity shaped her empathy-driven approach to business, while Sara Blakely’s personal frustration with uncomfortable clothing led her to create Spanx. Each of these women leveraged their unique experiences to inspire and build brands that resonate globally.

What challenges did these female entrepreneurs face during their careers, and how did they overcome them?

Many of these women faced gender bias, lack of access to funding, and societal expectations. Despite these challenges, they persevered. Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In sparked global conversations on women’s leadership, while Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw broke barriers in the male-dominated biotech industry. Their resilience and adaptability allowed them to thrive.

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

The contributions of these entrepreneurs have had a lasting impact on industries and societal movements. Estée Lauder transformed beauty marketing, while Anita Roddick revolutionised corporate social responsibility with The Body Shop. Their businesses continue to shape not only commerce but also social consciousness, demonstrating the power of female leadership.

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