GINA Rinehart topped the 2012 BRW Rich 200 list with an estimated fortune of AU$29.17 billion (US$28.48 billion), putting the iron ore magnate's wealth at more than AU$10 billion higher than recent estimates. According to BRW, Rinehart’s wealth has soared by an incredible $18.7 billion in the space of one year to a staggering $29.17 billion. At that level, the magazine says, the queen of iron ore becomes the richest woman in the world, streaking ahead of Wal-Mart heir Christy Walton, who was valued by Forbes in March at $US25.3 billion.

1. Gina Rinehart - AU$29.17 Billion, Chairman of Hancock Prospecting and the daughter of mining magnate Lang Hancock

2. Ivan Glasenberg - AU$7.40 Billion, Glencore International chief executive

3. Frank Lowy - AU$6.47 Billion,  Chairman of Westfield

4. Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest - AU$5.89 Billion, Non-executive chairman of the Fortescue Metals Group

5. Anthony Pratt - AU$5.45 Billion, Executive chairman of Visy

6. James Packer - AU$5.21 Billion, Crown Limited and Consolidated Media Holdings

7. Harry Triguboff - AU$4.85 Billion, Property developer

8. Clive Palmer - AU$3.85 Billion, Owner of Mineralogy

10. John Gandel - AU$3.35 Billion, Owner of Melbourne's Chadstone shopping centre