Since 2006, Germany’s Angela Merkel has held the top position on Forbes’ annual list of the world’s 100 most powerful women.

Okay, okay, in 2010, during the USA election, she sat at number four, but still, it should be no surprise as the chancellor has had to basically hold the whole world together, especially now that she rules alongside the likes of Donald Trump and Theresa May.

Speaking of Miss May, the UK Prime Minister came in second, followed by Melinda Gates (Bill’s wife) and Sheryl Sandberg:

New entries include Ivanka Trump (19), the daughter and adviser of Donald Trump, Nikki Haley (43), the US ambassador to the UN, and the actor Priyanka Chopra (97), also a Unicef goodwill ambassador.

The former first lady Michelle Obama has dropped off the list since she left the White House last year. Hillary Clinton, who has appeared every year since the list’s inception in 2004, fell 63 places, from second in 2016 to 65th in 2017.

Here’s the top ten, as well as their age:

1. Angela Merkel – 63
2. Theresa May – 61
3. Melinda Gates – 53
4. Sheryl Sandberg – 48
5. Mary Barra – 55
6. Susan Wojcicki – 49
7. Abigail Johnson – 55
8. Christine Lagarde – 61
9. Ana Patricia Botín – 57
10. Ginni Rometty – 60

According to The Guardian, the names on the list are drawn from seven “power bases”: billionaires, business, finance, media, politics, philanthropists/NGOs and technology.

Altogether, the women “directly influence more than 3 billion people, according to Moira Forbes, executive vice-president of Forbes Media”:

“Whether leading multibillion-dollar companies, governing countries, transforming an industry, or setting the agenda on critical issues of our time, collectively these women are making a lasting impact on our global footprint,” she said.

Love your work, ladies.

You can read all about them, as well as see the full list, here.

[source:forbes&theguardian]