Miuccia Prada, head designer at Prada and Miu Miu

Net Worth: $6.8 Billion

How She Got To Where She Is: Founded by her grandfather in 1913, Prada did not originally allow women to work in the business until Miuccia's mother Luisa stepped up to the plate, and subsequently ran the company for nearly two decades. Now co-run by Miu Miu (yes, the line is named after her) and her husband, Patrizio Bertelli, Prada has evolved to a worldwide luxury name, as well as fashion conglomerate, which went public just last year. 

Notable Accomplishments: Miuccia's designs are so influential that her creations have been featured at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, just a few halls away from an Egyptian temple and some of Van Gogh and Degas' finest works. (See? You were right in thinking your shoe collection was art.)

And That's Not All... In addition to creating Miu Miu (her nickname) and being the brainchild behind Prada's fascinating wares, Miuccia is successful in her own right. The designer holds a Ph.D. in political science and spent years training to become a mime (!)

Key to Success: Respect one another and always innovate. With Bertelli known for being a fiery boss and indefatigable leader, the entirety of Prada's success rests in the intense relationship between the couple. One reason it works so well is their shared bottom line: making a product that both pushes fashion forward and actually sells. It's no surprise that they've also previously invested in fashion lines including Jil Sander, Helmut Lang, and Azzedine Alaïa.

Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo