Where Power Truly Sits in 2025

Forbes’ 2025 ranking of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women offers a clear snapshot of where real influence now lies. Across politics, finance, technology, and global markets, these women are not symbolic figures—they are decision-makers whose choices shape economies, security policies, and the lives of millions.

The top ten names on this year’s list include presidents, prime ministers, central bankers, and corporate leaders who control vast institutions and command global attention. Below is a closer look at the women occupying the highest tiers of power in 2025.

1. Ursula von der Leyen — President, European Commission

Ranked number one, Ursula von der Leyen stands as the most powerful woman in the world in 2025. As President of the European Commission, she oversees legislation and policies affecting more than 450 million people across the European Union.

Her influence stretches across major global issues, including the war in Ukraine, energy security, migration, climate regulation, and technology governance. With the EU acting as a regulatory superpower, von der Leyen remains a central figure in shaping global standards.

2. Christine Lagarde — President, European Central Bank

Christine Lagarde leads the European Central Bank, the institution responsible for monetary policy across the eurozone. Her decisions directly affect interest rates, inflation control, and financial stability in some of the world’s largest economies.

In 2025, Lagarde’s role is especially critical as Europe balances slowing growth with persistent inflation pressures, making her one of the most influential figures in global finance.

3. Sanae Takaichi — Prime Minister, Japan

Sanae Takaichi made history as Japan’s first female prime minister, leading the world’s fourth-largest economy and a key strategic ally of the United States.

Her leadership comes at a pivotal moment as Japan confronts demographic decline, technological competition, and rising security tensions in Asia. Her ascent also represents a major cultural shift in a political system long dominated by men.

4. Giorgia Meloni — Prime Minister, Italy

As Italy’s first female prime minister, Giorgia Meloni has emerged as one of Europe’s most influential conservative leaders. She governs a G7 economy central to eurozone stability, migration routes, and European Union policymaking.

Meloni’s positions on immigration, energy security, EU reform, and support for Ukraine give her significant leverage in regional and international negotiations.

5. Claudia Sheinbaum — President, Mexico

Claudia Sheinbaum is Mexico’s first female president and the first leader of Jewish heritage in the country’s history. She heads Latin America’s second-largest economy and one of the United States’ most important trading partners.

Her administration’s policies on climate, social welfare, security, and energy have wide-reaching consequences for trade, migration, and regional stability across the Americas.

6. Julie Sweet — Chair and CEO, Accenture

Julie Sweet leads Accenture, one of the world’s most powerful professional services and consulting firms. The company plays a key role in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and large-scale government technology projects.

Under her leadership, Accenture helps shape how corporations and public institutions adapt to rapid technological change, influencing how work, data, and digital systems evolve globally.

7. Mary Barra — CEO, General Motors

Mary Barra heads General Motors, one of the world’s largest automobile manufacturers. She has been instrumental in steering GM toward electric vehicles, battery development, and software-driven mobility.

Her decisions impact global supply chains, employment, climate commitments, and the future of transportation as automakers race to compete in a cleaner and more digital industry.

8. Jane Fraser — CEO and Chair, Citigroup

Jane Fraser made history as the first woman to lead a major Wall Street bank. As CEO and chair of Citigroup, she oversees a global financial institution operating in more than 160 countries.

Her leadership influences international lending, emerging-market finance, and how global banks adapt to regulatory change and digital disruption.

9. Abigail Johnson — Chair and CEO, Fidelity Investments

Abigail Johnson runs Fidelity Investments, one of the largest asset managers and retirement savings firms in the world, overseeing trillions of dollars in assets.

Fidelity’s investment platforms shape how millions of individuals save, invest, and plan for retirement, giving Johnson enormous influence over financial markets, pensions, and the evolution of low-cost and digital investing.

10. Lisa Su — CEO, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)

Lisa Su, CEO of AMD, is widely credited with transforming the company into a formidable competitor in the global semiconductor industry.

AMD’s processors and graphics chips power cloud computing, gaming, and artificial intelligence systems. In an era where semiconductors underpin everything from national security to consumer technology, Su’s strategic decisions carry immense global significance.

Why This List Matters

Together, the women in Forbes’ top ten illustrate how power in 2025 is increasingly exercised through economic policy, technological leadership, and global institutions. Their influence extends far beyond titles, shaping the direction of markets, governments, and societies worldwide.