Forbes has released its annual ranking of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women, spotlighting leaders whose decisions shape economies, technological advancement and global policy. The 2025 list underscores how women are steering major institutions and sectors even as access to the highest levels of power remains limited.
At the top of the ranking is Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, followed by Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank. Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi places third, marking a historic moment as she takes the helm of the world’s third-largest economy amid global supply chain and security pressures. Other top-ranked figures include Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Introducing the 22nd annual Forbes list of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women: https://t.co/90Seih1ZRM
These 100 #PowerWomen—including 17 newcomers—command a collective $37 trillion in economic power and influence more than 1 billion people.
The list reflects a broad definition of power, encompassing political leadership, economic influence, and technological authority. In the private sector, leading executives such as Lisa Su, CEO of AMD, and Jane Fraser, CEO and Chair of Citi, are highlighted for their roles in shaping global markets. Women in finance, technology and corporate leadership collectively oversee trillions in economic activity and influence more than a billion people worldwide.
Notable newcomers this year include Daniela Amodei, co-founder and president of AI firm Anthropic, who has emerged as a significant player in the global artificial intelligence landscape. Cultural influence also features, with figures such as Kim Kardashian recognized for building global brands and commanding large audiences.
The 2025 Forbes list illustrates both progress and persistent barriers. Women continue to take on pivotal roles in sectors that will define the next decade, yet the highest echelons of influence remain difficult to access. The ranking highlights where women hold real power today and points to the ongoing challenge of achieving more balanced representation at the very top of global leadership.
In addition to political and corporate leaders, the list includes influential figures from media, entertainment and culture, demonstrating the diverse ways in which women shape public life and global trends.
