Certainly! Here’s a revised version:
While the automotive industry has traditionally been male-dominated, recent years have seen the rise of three remarkable women who have not only thrived but also amassed considerable fortunes in this sector.
Challenging age-related stereotypes, these dynamic women, aged 61, 80, and 82, epitomize unwavering success in the automotive industry. With a collective wealth amounting to $38.5 billion, they underscore enduring influence, proving that skill and innovation recognize no boundaries.
As per Forbes, here are the top three female billionaires in the automotive world as of March 8th:
Susanne Klatten
With a remarkable net worth of $26.4 billion, Susanne Klatten stands as a highly influential figure in the automotive industry. Born in Bad Homburg, Germany, in 1962, Klatten is the daughter of the renowned industrialists Herbert and Johanna Quandt. Her substantial wealth primarily stems from her 19% ownership of BMW, the prestigious German luxury automobile manufacturer, while her brother Stefan Quandt holds nearly 24%.
At 61 years old, Klatten’s business ventures transcend the automotive realm. She is the sole owner and deputy chair of Altana, boasting over $2.5 billion in annual sales. Moreover, Klatten holds stakes in Entrust, specializing in digital identity and data security, as well as the carbon and graphite producer SGL Group.
Her strategic investments and business acumen have played a pivotal role in BMW’s sustained success, securing her a prominent position on Forbes’ list of female billionaires.
Gail Miller
Gail Miller, a significant figure at 80 in the American automotive sector, possesses a net worth of $3.9 billion as the owner of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies. This diversified business empire encompasses car dealerships, real estate, healthcare, finance, and entertainment ventures.
Together with her late husband Larry, who passed away in 2009, they turned a single Toyota dealership into the eighth-largest auto dealer group in the U.S. In 2021, she orchestrated the sale of the group to Asbury Automotive for $3.2 billion. Furthermore, the Millers’ ownership of the Utah Jazz NBA team, acquired in 1986 for $22 million, was sold to billionaire Ryan Smith in 2020 for $1.66 billion, although they maintain a small stake.
Gail Miller’s dedication to community involvement and philanthropy, coupled with her 2018 book “Courage To Be You: Inspiring Lessons From An Unexpected Journey,” has cemented her reputation as a respected figure in the American business landscape.
Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler
At 82, Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler-Thumann is a prominent figure in German auto parts manufacturing. Together with her son Georg, she owns the Schaeffler Group, a global technology company renowned for being one of the world’s largest producers of ball bearings and machine components.
With a substantial net worth of $8.2 billion, she assumed leadership in 1996 after her husband’s passing. The company, founded by her husband and his brother Wilhelm in 1946, reached a significant milestone in 2008 when it acquired Continental AG, a tire and auto parts giant, in a debt-financed deal totaling $15 billion.
Under her guidance, the Schaeffler Group has thrived, supplying vital components to the global automotive industry. Maria-Elisabeth’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to innovation have firmly established the company as a key player in the worldwide auto parts market.