Canva founder Melanie Perkins has been crowned as Australia’s second-richest woman, with a net worth of $5.27 billion. 

This is according to the latest study from City Index, which analysed Forbes’ live billionaire tracker to find the country producing the most female billionaires, the richest woman according to the tracker and also the overall net worth of female billionaires in the country.

Perkins ranked behind Gina Rinehart who took the top spot. Rinehart’s net worth is $43.17 billion.

According to the study, the incredible achievement of Perkins and Rinehart has ultimately contributed to Australia placing fifth globally for producing the highest number of female billionaires. 

The US took the top spot with 92 female billionaires and a net worth of $906.44 billion. China and Germany followed behind with 50 female billionaires and $205.2 billion in net worth and 32 female billionaires and $156.42 billion in total net worth respectively.

Australia tied with India and Hong Kong in fifth place, with each country home to nine female billionaires.

“Of the nine Australian female billionaires, only one has made her wealth solely through entrepreneurship. Melanie Perkins — the CEO and co-founder of Canva — first conceptualised the design program at the age of 19, which later evolved into a unicorn company valued at $40 billion,” City Index said.

“Perkins’ idea for the platform was reportedly rejected by over 100 venture capitalists before receiving funding from a combination of US and Australian investors.”

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