Shuo Wang Ranks #23 Forbes Self-Made Women List; Washington 2026

Key Points

• Shuo Wang, co-founder and chief revenue officer of HR software company Deel, is ranked #23 on Forbes’ 2026 America’s Richest Self-Made Women list
• Wang is tied with Taylor Swift at position #23 among the top 43 self-made women billionaires
• Only billionaires made this year’s Forbes list, with collective net worth exceeding $166.3 billion
• The top ten women alone account for $96 billion in net worth
• This is a record 43 self-made women billionaires, up from 38 a year ago
• Forbes first created this inaugural list in 2015 with only 12 women billionaires
• Forbes valued public company assets using stock prices from June 1, 2026, and private companies with expert help
• Eligibility required women to have “substantially made their own fortunes in the U.S. and/or be permanent residents”
• Each woman received a “self-made score” ranging from 6 (hired hand) to 10 (rags-to-riches entrepreneur)
• Diane Hendricks remains the richest self-made woman in America for the ninth consecutive year

Washington (Evening Washington News) June 11, 2026 –Shuo Wang, co-founder and chief revenue officer of the HR software company Deel, has been ranked #23 on Forbes’ 2026 America’s Richest Self-Made Women list, tied alongside Taylor Swift among the top 43 self-made women billionaires. Only billionaires made the Forbes list this year, and the collective net worth of those ranked exceeds $166.3 billion, marking the highest total in the list’s history. The top ten women alone account for a net worth of $96 billion, according to Forbes.

How Has the Forbes Self-Made Women List Changed Since 2015?

In the inaugural list Forbes created in 2015, only 12 women billionaires made the list. A record 43 self-made women billionaires made Forbes’ 2026 America’s Richest Self-Made Women list, up from 38 a year ago, with fortunes fueled by entrepreneurship.

This represents a dramatic increase of more than threefold from the original 12 women who appeared on the first list.

How Does Forbes Calculate Net Worth for Self-Made Women?

To calculate net worth, Forbes valued assets in public companies using stock prices as well as private companies with the help of experts. Forbes shared its methodology in compiling the list, writing that it

“valued assets including stakes in public companies using stock prices from June 1, 2026”.

“We valued private companies by consulting with outside experts and conservatively comparing them with their public counterparts,”

the outlet added. Forbes said it attempted to verify numbers with all list entrants, noting that

“some cooperated, others didn’t”.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for the Forbes List?

Eligibility for the list also required women to have

“substantially made their own fortunes in the U.S. and/or be permanent residents”.

“To be eligible for the list, women also had to have substantially made their own fortunes in the U.S. and/or be permanent residents,”

the outlet wrote. While none inherited their wealth, some have climbed farther and overcame more obstacles.

What Is the Self-Made Score and How Does It Work?

Each woman was assigned a “self-made score” to gauge how far these billionaires have climbed the economic ladder. From Oprah Winfrey to Sara Blakely, women are given a self-made score of 6 (hired hand) to 10 (rags-to-riches entrepreneur).

A score of 6 indicates a

“hired hand who didn’t create the business”.

The score ranges from 1 to 10, with 1 through 5 indicating someone who inherited some or all of his or her fortune; while 6 through 10 are for those who built their enterprises independently. To achieve score of 10, member of Forbes 400 must have originated from poverty or the lower middle class and encountered hardships such as abuse, orphanhood, or the necessity to undertake low-paying jobs. Self-made individuals who not only grew up in poverty but also overcame substantial challenges include George Soros and Oprah Winfrey, who received score 10.

Who Are the Key Figures on the 2026 List?

Diane Hendricks remains the richest self-made woman in America for the ninth consecutive year. Shuo Wang, co-founder and chief revenue officer of the HR software company Deel, is tied for #23 (alongside Taylor Swift) on a list of the top 43 self-made women billionaires.

The Forbes list includes one Washington woman, demonstrating Washington state’s growing presence in the tech industry’s wealth creation.

Background of the Forbes America’s Richest Self-Made Women Development

The Forbes America’s Richest Self-Made Women list represents one of the most comprehensive rankings of female wealth creation in the United States. Forbes first created this inaugural list in 2015, when only 12 women billionaires qualified.

The list has grown dramatically over the years, reflecting both increased women’s participation in entrepreneurship and the expansion of female-led businesses across technology, healthcare, retail, and other industries.

The methodology has remained consistent since the list’s inception, with Forbes using stock prices for public companies and expert consultation for private companies.

The introduction of the “self-made score” system added nuance to understanding how wealth was accumulated, distinguishing between inherited wealth and independently created fortunes. Scores range from 1 (inherited wealth without contribution) to 10 (rags-to-riches entrepreneur who overcame poverty).

The 2026 list marks a significant milestone, with 43 self-made women billionaires representing a record $166.3 billion in collective wealth.

This represents an increase from 38 women on the 2025 list, demonstrating continued growth in female entrepreneurship and wealth creation. The top ten women alone account for $96 billion, showing concentration of wealth among the highest-ranked individuals.

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Prediction: How This Development Can affect Washington’s Tech Community and Women Entrepreneurs

Shuo Wang’s inclusion on Forbes’ 2026 America’s Richest Self-Made Women list can significantly affect Washington state’s tech community and women entrepreneurs in several ways.

For Washington’s Tech Industry: Wang’s ranking as #23 on the list, tied with Taylor Swift, validates Washington state as a hub for successful HR technology and software innovation. Her role as co-founder and chief revenue officer of Deel demonstrates that Washington-based tech companies can achieve global scale and generate substantial wealth for their founders.

This recognition may attract additional venture capital investment to Washington tech startups, particularly in the HR software and enterprise technology sectors.

For Women Entrepreneurs: The record 43 self-made women billionaires on the 2026 list, up from 38 the previous year, signals increasing opportunities for women in entrepreneurship. Wang’s presence on this list specifically provides a visible example for women in Washington’s tech industry, demonstrating that self-made wealth creation is achievable through technology entrepreneurship.

The growth from 12 women on the 2015 inaugural list to 43 in 2026 shows a more than threefold increase, suggesting systemic improvements in women’s access to capital and business opportunities.

For Economic Development: The collective $166.3 billion net worth of self-made women billionaires represents significant economic power that can influence investment patterns, philanthropy, and business development.

Washington state’s inclusion of Wang on this prestigious list may encourage other states to develop similar support systems for women entrepreneurs, potentially creating competitive pressure for better resources and funding opportunities.

For Future List Entrants: With the list growing from 12 women in 2015 to 43 in 2026, the trajectory suggests continued expansion.

Washington-based women entrepreneurs may view this as evidence that their state’s tech ecosystem can produce billionaires, potentially increasing confidence in local startup ventures and encouraging more women to pursue technology entrepreneurship in the region.

The self-made score system, ranging from 6 (hired hand) to 10 (rags-to-riches entrepreneur), provides a framework for understanding different pathways to wealth creation that can inspire entrepreneurs at various stages of their economic journey.