Forbes has unveiled its annual list of the 100 most powerful women in the world, which this year is topped by German chancellor Angela Merkel.
Theresa May, Melinda Gates and YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki are some of the other names included in the business magazine’s esteemed list, which celebrates the world’s most high-achieving women who are leading the way in terms of change and disruption in their respective industries.
Angela Merkel: Merkel became the first female Chancellor of Germany in 2005 and is serving her fourth term.
In November Merkel stepped down as leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and announced she wouldn t seek another term as chancellor in 2021.
Her leadership is marked by her steely reserve, from standing up to Donald Trump to allowing more than a million Syrian refugees into Germany.
Theresa May: May became Prime Minister in July 2016 following David Cameron s resignation after the UK s referendum decision to leave the EU.
May has spent the past two years negotiating the exit, facing pushback from both pro and anti-European factions in her own party and the opposition.
European leaders approved her plan in November 2018, opening the door for the first major member state in the bloc s 45-year history.
Christine Lagarde: Lagarde has led the IMF since 2011, providing financial oversight and guidance for its 189 member countries, including China, Russia and the U.K.
Under her tenure, the IMF has navigated the eurozone debt crisis, managed emerging market risks and the threat of a U.S. trade war with China.
Melinda Gates: Gates maintains her position as most powerful woman in philanthropy as co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Founded in 2000, it s the world s largest private charitable foundation with a $40 billion trust endowment.
Sheikh Hasina Wajed: In 2017, Wajed provided aid to Rohingya Muslim refugees fleeing Myanmar, allotting 2,000 acres of land in Bangladesh for the refugees.
Now she is working on the safe repatriation of Rohingya to Myanmar, saying that Bangladesh can t bear the burden of permanent shelter.
But there are a number of notable names missing from this year’s roundup, including Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama.
Hillary Clinton: Hillary Rodham Clinton has served as secretary of state, senator from New York, first lady of the United States, first lady of Arkansas, a practicing lawyer and law professor, activist, and volunteer—but the first thing her friends and family will tell you is that she’s never forgotten where she came from or who she’s been fighting for.
Hillary, who ran for US presidency in 2016, was ranked number 65 in the publication’s 2017 list.
Michelle Obama: Michelle Obama is an American lawyer, university administrator, and writer who served as the First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. She is married to the 44th U.S. President, Barack Obama, and was the first African-American First Lady.
