Which billionaire was Forbes’ youngest self-made woman in 2019?

Kylie Jenner was Forbes’ youngest self-made woman billionaire in 2019. Forbes said her cosmetics business, Kylie Cosmetics, had made her the youngest self-made billionaire at age 21.

Jenner launched Kylie Cosmetics in 2015, initially building attention through social media and selling products such as lip kits. The company’s growth was closely linked to her personal brand and large online following. Coty later bought a majority stake in the business, providing an important valuation reference.

The phrase “self-made” generated debate because Jenner came from the wealthy Kardashian-Jenner family and had substantial fame and resources before starting the company. Forbes used the term to distinguish how she accumulated her business fortune, while critics argued that family connections and celebrity status gave her major advantages.

Forbes later removed Jenner’s billionaire status after revising its assessment of Kylie Cosmetics’ revenues and valuation. That illustrates why private-company billionaire estimates can change substantially when new financial information becomes available.