The World's 100 Most Powerful Women 2012
For nine years FORBES has ranked the 100 most powerful women in the world. These are the women who adhere to the traditional classifications of power (political and economic might) and those who have risen to the top of the social and cultural landscape. It is our annual snapshot of women who impact the world.
This year the list features eight heads of state–including our No. 1 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (plus one monarch who just celebrated her Diamond Jubilee), and 25 CEOs who control $984 billion in revenues and 11 billionaires. We feature some dozen entrepreneurs and 10 celebrities who do more than look good: they’re philanthropic do-gooders and entrepreneurial go-getters.
The New Celebrity Role Models: Sure, they’re famous but they deserve special attention for their outside work, be it ambassadors to meaningful causes and or as owners of thriving businesses. Oprah owns Harpo Productions and founded The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. Lady Gaga (No. 14): she sings, she tweets and now she started The Born This Way Foundation, with funding from Harvard University and the MacArthur Foundation. Joining the efforts of the U.N. are Shakira (No. 40), Angelina Jolie (No. 66) and Gisele Bundchen (No. 83). Beyonce (No. 32) rules the House of Dereon and Sofia Vergara (No. 75) co-owns LatinWE. Jennifer Lopez (No. 38) is a multi-tiered empire.
This year the list features eight heads of state–including our No. 1 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (plus one monarch who just celebrated her Diamond Jubilee), and 25 CEOs who control $984 billion in revenues and 11 billionaires. We feature some dozen entrepreneurs and 10 celebrities who do more than look good: they’re philanthropic do-gooders and entrepreneurial go-getters.
The New Celebrity Role Models: Sure, they’re famous but they deserve special attention for their outside work, be it ambassadors to meaningful causes and or as owners of thriving businesses. Oprah owns Harpo Productions and founded The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. Lady Gaga (No. 14): she sings, she tweets and now she started The Born This Way Foundation, with funding from Harvard University and the MacArthur Foundation. Joining the efforts of the U.N. are Shakira (No. 40), Angelina Jolie (No. 66) and Gisele Bundchen (No. 83). Beyonce (No. 32) rules the House of Dereon and Sofia Vergara (No. 75) co-owns LatinWE. Jennifer Lopez (No. 38) is a multi-tiered empire.
