They are politicians, CEOs, bankers, cultural icons, billionaires and entrepreneurs. A fresh look at power as reach and influence.
According to Forbes' newly released list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women, Lady Gaga has overtaken the former Queen of Daytime Talk, besting the Big O by a decisive three slots."Poker Face" songbird Gaga, meanwhile, fell from number 7 to number 11, which placed her above Winfrey on the list for the first time.
German chancellor Angela Merkel tops the list, followed by U.S. Secretary Hillary Clinton, for those interested in powerful women in the non-celebrity arena. Other women deemed worthy for inclusion on the list include FIrst Lady Michelle Obama (who comes in at number 8), New York Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson (number 12) and former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who took the number 34 position.
Here are the Top 10 World's Most Powerful Women:
1. Angela Merkel, German chancellor
2. Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State
3. Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil
4. Indra Nooyi, Chief Executive, PepsiCo
5. Sheryl Sandberg COO, Facebook
6. Melinda Gates, Cofounder, Cochair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
7. Sonia Gandhi, President, Indian National Congress Party
8. Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States
9. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
10. Irene Rosenfeld, CEO, Kraft Foods
11. Lady GaGa, Celebrity/Lifestyle, Pop Music
