Public Radio of Armenia
Armenian American designer Carolyn Rafaelian and reality star Kim Kardashian have made it to the Forbes list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women.
Carolyn Rafaelian is ranked 42nd with a net worth of $520 million. Her fortune comes largely from her majority stake in spiritual bangle brand Alex and Ani, which she founded in 2004.
Alex and Ani, named after her two older daughters, has over 100 company-owned locations across North and South America. It also sells online.
Granddaughter of Armenian immigrants, her father made American flag pins and costume jewelry in a Rhode Island factory where she now makes pieces.
Rafaelian has bought up more than 30 properties, most of which are in her native Rhode Island and include a castle and vineyard.
She is an investor in Big3, a 3-on-3 basketball league made up primarily of former NBA players; it was cofounded by rapper and actor Ice Cube.
Rafelian first joined the list of Richest Self-Made Women in 2016. A a mother of three children, she was listed among the 50 Most Powerful Moms of 2017.
With a net worth of $370 million, Kim Kardashian is placed 57th on the list.
Social media queen, Kardashian West has parlayed reality TV into a real fortune by selling a mobile game, emojis – and now, cosmetics.
The bulk of her fortune comes from her 2-year-old cosmetics company KKW Beauty, which generated more than $100 million in sales in 2018.
The celebrity daughter of American Armen lawyer Robert Kardashian, Kim is following in his footsteps, apprenticing to be a lawyer.
Passionate about criminal justice reform. she is forgoing law school but plans to take the bar in 2022.
ABC Supply Cofounder and Chair Diane Hendricks tops the list, followed by Quibi CEO Meg Whitman and Little Caesars Pizza co-founder Marian Ilitch,