Nearly half the world’s most powerful women are American. Here is the list of 10 most powerful women who have surpassed the expectations in different areas and truly made a mark in global leadership.
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, remains the world’s most powerful woman. Having just been re-elected, the most powerful woman in the world shows no sign of relinquishing her crown. Angela Dorothea Merkel is a German politician serving as Chancellor of Germany since 2005 and leader of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union since 2000.
Theresa May the Prime Minister of United Kingdom is the 2nd most influential woman in the world for 2018. Theresa Mary May is a British politician serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party since 2016. She served as Home Secretary from 2010 to 2016.
Melinda Ann Gates, the 3rd most influential woman in the world for 2018 is an American philanthropist. She is a former Microsoft employee and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She worked at Microsoft, where she was project manager for Microsoft Bob, Encarta and Expedia.
Sheryl Kara Sandberg the 4th most influential woman in the world for 2018 is an American technology executive, activist, and author. She is the chief operating officer of Facebook and founder of Leanin.org.
Marry Barra CEO of General Motors is the 5th most influential woman in the world for 2018. The 55-year-old was the first woman to hold the position and has overseen the company’s move into technology. This year, she also joined Disney’s board. Mary Teresa Barra is the Chairman and CEO of General Motors Company. She has held the CEO position since January 15, 2014, and she is the first female CEO of a major global automaker.
Susan Diane Wojcicki the 6th most influential woman in the world for 2018 is an American technology executive. She has been the CEO of YouTube since February 2014. She is from Los Altos, California, and has a net worth of $410 million
President and CEO of Fidelity Investments, Abigail Johnson, is the 7th most influential woman in the world for 2018. Johnson’s company is determined to tackle sexual abuse at her company and in the industry. Abigail Pierrepont Johnson is an American businesswoman. Since 2014, Johnson has been president and chief executive officer of US investment firm Fidelity Investments, and chairman of its international sister company Fidelity International.
Christine Lagarde, Head of the International Monetary Fund, is the 8th most influential woman in the world for 2018. She had previously been the first female chairwoman of law firm Baker & Mackenzie. Christine Madeleine Odette Lagarde is a French lawyer and politician who has been the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund since 5 July 2011.
Ana Patricia Botín-Sanz de Sautuola O'Shea, the 9th most influential woman in the world for 2018 is a Spanish banker. On 10 September 2014 she was appointed executive chairman of Santander Group, the fourth generation of the Botín family to hold this role.
Virginia Marie "Ginni" Rometty the 10th most influential woman in the world for 2018, is an American business executive. She is the current chair, president, and CEO of IBM, and the first woman to head the company.