[image:gencraftai]

Reflecting on the “complex picture of women’s influence in a volatile world,” Forbes released their list of women who are having the greatest impact on our world.

For the second year in a row, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been named the world’s most powerful woman.

Von der Leyen, 65, is the first woman to serve in the role of European Commission President, “which is responsible for legislation affecting more than 450 million Europeans”.

The German politician, who has held the post since 2019, finished ahead of European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, US Vice President Kamala Harris, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who came fourth.

Forbes noted that politicians featured top of the list, despite other female leaders such as Sanna Marin, Jacinda Ardern and Nicola Sturgeon no longer running countries, after they were all “replaced by a man.”

Earlier this year, Forbes wrote, “Political leaders Sanna Marin, Jacinda Ardern and Nicola Sturgeon either lost or relinquished their jobs overseeing Finland, New Zealand and Scotland. Susan Wojcicki stepped down as YouTube CEO after nine years at the helm, and so did Martina Merz, the chief executive of German conglomerate Thyssenkrupp. Every one of them was replaced by a man.”

Adding a bit of culture to the ‘political power list’ was Taylor Swift, who ranked fifth. The singer had a bumper year with her Eras tour, which added a hefty $850 million (R16 billion) to her purse, as well as contributing to an estimated $5 billion (R94 billion) windfall to the US states she performed in.

Swifties must be elated as the massive tour’s exposure lifted her from 79th place last year, which is a long way ahead of the next singer on the list, Beyonce, who is in 36th place, while Rihanna only managed 76th place.

Perpetual sympathiser Oprah Winfrey only managed to come in at 31. Your guess is as good as mine whether the Harry and Meghan interview klapped her popularity somewhat, or whether the ‘Hawaii fires appeal’ issue doused her power.

Philanthropist Melinda Gates garnered the 10th spot, while the highest-placed British woman was GlaxoSmithKlein chief executive Emma Walmsley, who came in at number 15. Walmsley became the first woman to run a major pharmaceutical company when she was appointed in 2017.

Now we’d really like to see a list of SA’s most powerful women.

[source:sky]