Forbes unveils its 20th annual ranking Of The World’s Most Powerful Women

Forbes has announced its 20th annual ranking of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. The publisher says the list is the ranking of the most inspirational female CEOs, entertainers, politicians, philanthropists and policy makers making life-changing impact on the world today.

For the second consecutive year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tops this 2023 list followed by European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and U.S. Vice President, Kamala Harris, who retain their ranking at number two and three.

American singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift, takes fifth place marking the first time since the list’s inception that an entertainer has broken into the top five. Forbes says Swift has soared up this year’s rankings from No. 79 in 2022. In October, the artist joined the billionaires club, with her net worth reaching $1.1 billion, following the record-breaking success of her global Eras tour. To further indicate her immense economic contribution, the U.S. Travel Association estimates that the U.S. leg of the Eras tour added more than $5 billion collectively to state economies.

“In a year overshadowed by turbulent uncertainty and instability, the world's most powerful women are leveraging their influence beyond traditional realms to drive profound transformation," remarks Moira Forbes, Executive Vice President at Forbes. "As we grapple with a global convergence of crises, the need for their leadership has never been more evident or urgent.”

Women featured in the 2023 ranking represent six categories: business, technology, finance, media & entertainment, politics & policy, and philanthropy, added Forbes. To determine the rank within each category, as well as overall rank on the list of 100, Forbes says it applied four metrics: money, media, impact and spheres of influence. Those featured are builders, disruptors, and innovators in every sector, from corporate to creative worlds, taking a modern, forward-looking view on power.

ForbesWomen editor Maggie McGrath commented: “Over the past twenty years of the Most Powerful Women list, we’ve documented the shifting ways that power is attained and enacted globally. This year’s list illustrates that perhaps better than any other, with entertainment icons ranking right at the top alongside global politicians and leaders of the world’s most influential businesses.”