Swimming in Swimming World Championships |  | ||||
| 2024 |  | ITA | Simona Quadarella | |
| 2023 |  | USA | Katie Ledecky | |
| 2022 | | USA | Katie Ledecky | |
| 2019 | | USA | Katie Ledecky | |
| 2017 | | USA | Katie Ledecky | |
| 2015 | | USA | Katie Ledecky | |
| 2013 | | USA | Katie Ledecky | |
| 2011 |  | GBR | Rebecca Adlington | |
| 2009 |  | DEN | Lotte Friis | |
| 2007 | | USA | Kate Ziegler | |
| 2005 | | USA | Kate Ziegler | |
| 2003 |  | GER | Hannah Stockbauer | |
| 2001 | | GER | Hannah Stockbauer | |
| 1998 | | USA | Brooke Bennett | |
| 1994 | | USA | Janet Evans | |
| 1991 | | USA | Janet Evans | |
| 1986 |  | GDR | Astrid Strauss | |
| 1982 | | USA | Kimberley Linehan | |
| 1978 |  | AUS | Tracey Wickham | |
| 1975 | | AUS | Jennifer Turrall | |
| 1973 | | ITA | Novella Calligaris | |