German Chancellor Angela Merkel is the most powerful woman in the world for the 8th year in a row.
The 2018 World’s 100 Most Powerful Women list celebrates the icons, innovators and instigators who are using their voice to change power structures and create a lasting impact.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel retains the top spot on the list of most powerful women in the world for the 8 year in a row. While she recently stepped down as head of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and is not running for reelection in 2021, her leadership of Europe’s largest economy makes her the defacto female leader of the free world.
Angela Merkel is closely followed by UK’s prime Minister Theresa May, she was ranked second most powerful woman in the world
Christine Lagarde, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), takes third place on the list, rising from eight last year as a stabilizing force advocating for reducing global trade conflicts. Rounding out the top five most powerful women in the world are GM CEO Mary Barra (No.4) and Fidelity Chairman and CEO Abigail Johnson (No. 5).
THE WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL WOMEN 2018
1. Angela Merkel
Age: 64
Country: Germany
Profession: Politician
2. Theresa May
Age: 62
Country: United Kingdom
Profession: Politician
3. Christine Lagarde
Age: 62
Country: France
Profession: Economist
4. Mary Barra
Age: 56
Country: United States
Profession: Automotive
5. Abigail Johnson
Age: 56
Country: United States
Profession: Finance and Investments
6. Melinda Gates
Age: 54
Country: United States
Profession: Philanthropy/NGO
7. Susan Wojcicki
Age: 50
Country: United States
Profession: Technology
8. Ana Patricia Botín
Age: 58
Country: Spain
Profession: Finance and Investments
9. Marillyn Hewson
Age: 64
Country: United States
Profession: Manufacturing
10. Ginni Rometty
Age: 61
Country: United States
Profession: Enterprise Technology
The Methodology
Four metrics are used each year: money (either net worth, company revenues, assets, or GDP); media presence; spheres of influence; and impact, analyzed both within the context of each woman’s field (media, technology, business, philanthropy/NGOs, politics, and finance) and outside of it. This year, with the help of social insight platform Captiv8, we included social media power in our media presence and influence score.
