Title: Ursula von der Leyen Remains the World's Most Influential Woman, According to Forbes
Once again, Forbes has named Ursula von der Leyen (65) as the most influential woman in the world. The German politician, currently serving as President of the European Commission, nabbed the top spot for the second year in a row.
Von der Leyen outranks notable figures like United States Vice President Kamala Harris (59) and pop star Taylor Swift (33), who placed third and fifth respectively, in Forbes' "The World's Most Powerful Women" ranking. French politician Christine Lagarde (67) trails von der Leyen in second place, followed by Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (46) and Taylor Swift in fourth place.
Additionally, Forbes recognized other influential women, such as Melinda French Gates (59), Bill Gates' ex-wife, who ranks tenth, and Jeff Bezos' ex-wife MacKenzie Scott (53), who reached 13th place. Talk-show legend Oprah Winfrey (69) ranks 31st, closely followed by Beyoncé (36th) and singer-entrepreneur Rihanna (35th).
The list also includes an interesting surprise – Barbie (100th place). Despite the doll's cartoonish image, she made the cut due to being a highly influential and globally recognized brand with significant wealth and media impact.
Factors Contributing to Von der Leyen's Influence:
While Forbes doesn't rank von der Leyen as the most powerful woman two years in a row, she has proven her influential role in European politics, including: - Guiding the EU's response to global challenges, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and COVID-19 pandemic. - Advocating for gender equality and diversity, including pushing for more women to join leadership positions in the military and other sectors. - Demonstrating exceptional diplomatic skills, notably in securing re-election as President of the European Commission with a heterogeneous coalition.
Upon closer examination, these women on Forbes' list represent a diverse range of professionals who have made significant contributions towards their fields and society as a whole.
