German Chancellor and head of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party Angela Merkel delivers a speech to promote CDU top-candiate Frank Henkel during an election rally in Berlin September 9, 2011. The sentence reads "So that something changes".REUTERS
German Chancellor and head of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party Angela Merkel delivers a speech to promote CDU top-candiate Frank Henkel during an election rally in Berlin September 9, 2011. The sentence reads "So that something changes".REUTERSUS Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is viewed as the second most powerful woman in the world.ReutersDilma Roussef is the current President of Brazil.REUTERSChairman and CEO of PepsiCo Inc. Indra Nooyi speaks at a panel discussion "Wellness in the Workplace: Obesity and Other Bottom-Line Issues" at the 2009 Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, April 27, 2009.REUTERS/Fred ProuserSheryl Sandberg is the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook.com.REUTERSMelinda Gates is the Co-Founder and Co-Chair, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.REUTERSSonia Gandhi is the President of the Indian National Congress Party.REUTERSU.S. first lady Michelle Obama looks at red pepper she had pulled from the White House Kitchen Garden during the fall season harvest in Washington, October 5, 2011.REUTERSIMF Managing Director Christine LagardeREUTERSChief Executive Officer of Kraft, Irene Rosenfeld, arrives for a meeting with Britain's Business Secretary Peter Mandelson at the Cabinet Office in central London, February 2, 2010. Kraft Foods sealed its 11.7 billion pound ($18.6 billion) takeover of Cadbury after 71.73 percent of the British group's shareholders accepted a deal to create the world's biggest confectioner.REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett
This is a compilation of the top 10 most powerful women in the world according to Forbes. A spokesperson for Forbes said that the impact of these women in the world and their power was determined not only through money and might, but also through reach and influence.
"Our list reflects the diverse and dynamic paths to power for women today, whether leading a nation or setting the agenda on critical issues of our time," said Moira Forbes, president & publisher of ForbesWoman, said in a statement. "Across their multiple spheres of influence, these women have achieved power through connectivity, the ability to build a community around the organizations they oversee, the countries they lead, the causes they champion and their personal brands," Forbes added.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel topped the list which is dominated by politicians, businesswomen and leaders in media and entertainment. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was second, followed by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.
Start the slideshow to view the top 10 most powerful ladies.
