Every year since 2004, Forbes has announced a list of the world’s most powerful women. The 100 most powerful women around the globe, from politicians to philanthropists to celebrities, are ranked in order by Forbes based on factors like “money, media momentum, spheres of influence and impact.”
The 2015 rankings announced German Chancellor Angela Merkel as the most powerful woman in the world for the fifth consecutive year. Next year, however, she may be in danger of losing her spot for the first time to her current runner-up: Hillary Rodham Clinton, whom Forbes describes as “just a breath and a ballot away from the Most Powerful Woman crown.”
Beyond Angela Merkel and Hillary Clinton, the list of the top 10 most powerful women in the world includes Melinda Gates, Janet Yellen, Mary Barra, Christine Lagarde, Dilma Rousseff, Sheryl Sandberg, Susan Wojcicki and Michelle Obama. This year’s top ranking billionaire is Oprah Winfrey at number 12 overall; Oprah is personally worth approximately $3 billion.
Looking at the list by field, the most powerful woman in politics is Merkel, and the most powerful female philanthropist in the world is Gates. Barra is the most powerful businesswoman while Sandberg is the most powerful woman in the field of technology. Ana Patricia Botin is the most powerful woman in finance at number 18 overall. Beyoncé rules the entertainment field at number 21 overall, and Anna Wintour takes the media sector at number 28 overall.
Congratulations to all of the powerful women whose hard work and success has earned them a spot on this list! You inspire us every day to be the best women we can be.