According to Forbes, Ursula von der Leyen will be the Most Powerful Woman in 2023. Forbes' annual list highlights women's achievements in a variety of disciplines, with a focus on four important parameters.
- Money: This indicator measures financial resources and economic impact.
- Media: This indicator measures media presence and influence.
- Impact: This indicator assesses an individual's beneficial impact on society and the planet.
- Spheres of impact: This measure examines the scope and breadth of an individual's impact in their area and beyond.
Political leaders like von der Leyen's power is measured using the following metrics:
- Gross Domestic Product: This indicator assesses the economic strength of the country they govern.
- Population: This measure indicates the size and scope of their impact.
Corporate executives' authority is measured using the following metrics:
- Revenue: This number measures the financial performance of the company they lead.
- Valuations reflect the company's market value.
- Employee Counts: This measure indicates the size and reach of their staff.
Ursula von der Leyen 
Ursula von der Leyen made history as the first woman to lead the European Commission, the EU's executive department. Since entering office in July 2019, she has navigated complex political environments and wielded tremendous authority, influencing the lives of more than 450 million Europeans.
Prior to her historic appointment, von der Leyen spent 14 years in Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet, making her Germany's longest-serving cabinet member. For the latter six years of her tenure, she served as Defense Minister, leading the German military with distinction.
In 2020, von der Leyen took on the task of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the European Union's 750 billion euro recovery package. This ambitious initiative displayed her leadership and dedication to the continent's economic revival.
Christine Lagarde 
Christine Lagarde became the first woman to lead the European Central Bank (ECB) on November 1, 2019, making history for both the organization and global finance. As she takes on the vital task of establishing European monetary policy, she faces a significant challenge: guaranteeing economic growth in the face of increasing inflation.
Prior to joining the ECB, Lagarde was the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Managing Director from 2011 to 2019, making her the first woman to hold that role. During her tenure, she expertly negotiated the global financial landscape and led the IMF through substantial economic challenges.
Lagarde's thorough understanding of the 2008 financial crisis prompted her to emphasise the hazards of "groupthink" in the male-dominated finance sector. This compelling discovery triggered calls for increased gender diversity and reform in financial institutions, resulting in a more inclusive and resilient system.
Kamala Harris 
On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris became the first woman, Black person, and South Asian-American to be elected Vice President of the United States. This achievement caps off a remarkable journey full of "firsts," each of which broke down barriers and paved the way for future generations.
Harris' route to the vice presidency was established by her unwavering commitment to public service and her advocacy for justice and equality.
In 2016, she became the first Indian-American woman elected to the United States Senate, displaying her capacity to unite disparate populations. Previously, in 2010, Harris cracked another glass ceiling by becoming the first African-American and first woman to serve as California's Attorney General.
Giorgia Meloni 
Giorgia Meloni created history on October 22, 2022, when she became Italy's first woman Prime Minister. This was an important milestone for Italian politics and women in leadership around the world.
Meloni's political journey has been long and complicated. She rose to fame as President of the Brothers of Italy party, a right-wing movement founded on Italian nationalism. Prior to her election as Prime Minister, she held a number of political positions, including Minister of Youth and Sports from 2008 to 2011.
Meloni's political beliefs have been much debated. Some argue that her affiliation with the Brothers of Italy raises questions about her commitment to democratic values and social inclusiveness. Others claim that her political attitude represents a respectable right-wing viewpoint on the Italian political spectrum. Despite the outcry, she has risen to fourth place on Forbes' Most Powerful Women List 2023.
Taylor Swift 
Taylor Swift, the iconic performer, has moved up to fifth place on this list. Taylor Swift made history in October 2023 as the first musician to become a billionaire entirely via her songs and performances. This astounding feat demonstrates her enormous talent, business acumen, and long-lasting influence on the music industry.
Swift's billion-dollar fortune reflects her diverse accomplishment. Over $500 million of her fortune comes from rich song royalties and mesmerizing live performances. Furthermore, she possesses a valuable music archive worth $500 million, demonstrating her artistic ownership and control over her work. Swift's financial prowess extends beyond the music industry, as seen by her remarkable real estate holdings worth $125 million.
Karen Lynch 
Karen Lynch's name is connected with vision, leadership, and an uncompromising commitment to healthcare. In February 2021, she was promoted to CEO of CVS Health, a firm that employs over 300,000 people and plays a critical role in the health and well-being of millions.
Her rise to the top began in 2018 when she joined CVS as executive vice president, overseeing the integration of Aetna, a major healthcare insurance firm, into the CVS fold. CVS Health's $70 billion acquisition was a watershed point in its history, cementing the company's position as a market leader in healthcare.
Lynch's leadership abilities were on full display in 2023, when she oversaw two key acquisitions: Oak Street Health, a primary care provider, for $10 billion, and Signify Health, a home health care expert, for $8 billion. These acquisitions reflect her vision for the future of healthcare, emphasizing the value of integrated, accessible, and personalized treatment.
Jane Fraser 
Jane Fraser is remembered as the first woman to hold the prestigious position of CEO at Citigroup, a prominent Wall Street bank, as well as the company's first female CEO in its history. Her rise to the top displays her extraordinary leadership abilities, strategic intelligence, and relentless resolve.
Fraser's climb to the top of Citigroup began in 2020, when she was nominated as CEO Michael Corbat's replacement. She officially took over the post in March 2021, marking a watershed moment for Citigroup and the financial industry.
Before becoming CEO, Fraser was President of Citigroup and CEO of Global Consumer Banking, exhibiting her vast experience and skill inside the industry.
Abigail Johnson 
Abigail Johnson represents the attitude of a visionary leader, expertly managing the financial world with a forward-thinking mindset. She has been the CEO of Fidelity Investments since 2014, a global financial services conglomerate created in 1946 by her grandfather, Edward Johnson II. Her leadership extends beyond the CEO role; she has also served as Chairman since 2016, firmly establishing her place at the heart of the corporation.
Johnson began her career with Fidelity at an early age, working there throughout the summers while attending college. This early exposure to the financial sector gave her a thorough understanding of the industry and its complexity.
Mary Barra 
Mary Barra is an automotive industry innovator who has been the CEO of General Motors (GM) since 2014. As the first woman to lead one of the Big Three automakers in the United States, she has broken glass ceilings and forged her own path in a historically male-dominated industry.
Barra's ambition for GM goes far beyond the typical gasoline-powered vehicle. She has led a multibillion-dollar investment in electric vehicles (EVs), self-driving cars, and new mobility solutions such as the Maven ride-sharing platform. This dedication to the future of transportation places GM at the forefront of industry development and underscores Barra's visionary leadership.
Her relationship with GM began long before she became CEO. As a student in 1980, she entered the company's co-op program and gained firsthand experience in the Pontiac Motors business. This early exposure to the inner workings of GM laid a solid foundation for her future leadership positions.
Melinda French Gates 
Melinda French Gates is a global philanthropic leader who co-chairs the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the world's largest and most prominent charitable organisations. Her commitment to making the world a better place for everyone extends beyond her work with the foundation; she actively promotes women's and girls' rights and advocates for opportunities for poor communities.
Although Bill and Melinda Gates announced their divorce in May 2021, they remain committed to their common cause via the foundation's co-leadership. Bill's transfer of considerable assets to Melinda emphasizes their dedication to the foundation's mission and allows her to have an even greater influence.
Melinda has spent much of her charity career working for women and girls. She advocates for their access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, acknowledging their critical role in promoting constructive cultural change. Her unrelenting drive to eradicating gender gaps has inspired numerous people and organisations throughout the world.
