Surely, women are taking up some of the highest offices all around the world. After reading this top ten’s list you would have a clear conception about the strength and influence of women in the world. “How can there be freedom and true democracy unless the voice of women is heard” Rodham Clinton once made this statement. Some of the women which I have added in the list are so powerful that presently they have trillions of $ worth GDP under their direct control. No doubt, today’s woman is more agile and fantabulous in comparison to the woman who lived a hundred years back. So, without any further ado, let us now take a look at the top 10 most powerful women in the world 2012.

10. Irene Rosenfeld

The business analyst and marketing doctor, Irene Rosenfeld is at the number 10 spot for this year. Being one of the most influential businesswoman and Chairman of Kraft Foods, Irene is the person who turned around the fate of all the businesses she put her hand into. Her current salary has been reported to be more than $ 20 million. Presently, she is planning to take some logical business initiatives that will take the company’s revenue to more than $ 30 billion.

 

9. Christine Lagarde

At number 9 we have the French Lawyer and the former managing director of the IMF (International Monetary Fund), Christine Lagarde. She also holds the honor of being the first women to be selected as the minister of Economic Affairs and to the head the IMF. In her own country, she also exercises a great deal of power in the affairs of the government.

8. Michelle Obama

Surely, these days this woman is much more popular than her husband, Barack Obama. Being the first lady of America and a philanthropist, her major aim is the elimination of childhood obesity. It is also because of her struggle that the companies like Coco Cola and Kellogg have reduced the percentage of calories in their drinks.

7. Sonia Gandhi

Sonia Gandhi is indeed the most powerful woman ever in the history of the Indian Politics. Although she has never been the president or the prime minister of the country, still the entire government is a just a puppet in her hands. For those who do not know about her blood line, Sonia is the widow of Rajiv Gandhi and a member of The Nehru-Gandhi Family.

6. Melinda Gates

Being the wife of the former richest person in the world, Melinda Gates has made it our number 6th spot. Her efforts for the eradication of poverty and human rights violation are indeed applauding. Bill Gates and Melinda Gates have donated several billion $ for the philanthropic purposes.

5. Sheryl Sandberg

At number 5 we have the CEO of Facebook and one of the most influential businesswomen in the world, Sheryl Sandberg. She has also served as the Vice President of The Online Sales and Operations Department at Google. Not to forget that for this year, she has also been ranked among the 100 most influential people in the world. Furthermore, she had also served as the chief of staff for the U.S Department of Treasury.

4. Indra Nooyi

Being the Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, at number 4 we have the Indian-American Businesswoman, Indra Nooyi. She is one of those few women who have consistently ranked among the 100 most powerful women in the world. Nooyi’s job is not so easy, as each year she has to formulate a number of marketing and business promotion strategies. Furthermore, she has been directed the company’s strategy for more than 10 years.

3. Dilma Rousseff

At number 3 we have the current president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff. She also happens to be the first woman to ever hold this office. In the initial years of being the president, she was mainly concerned with cleansing a number of corrupt politicians out of the government affairs.

2. Hillary Clinton

Being the present secretary of state and the wife of the former president, Bill Clinton, Hillary is indeed the most well-known female politician in the world. Although the year 2011 was quite challenging for her, still she managed to handle all the matters with charm and patience. I am sure that Bill would indeed be very happy with the way his wife has been playing politics.

1.    Angela Merkel

Presently, the most powerful woman in the world is none other than the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel. Heading the most powerful and vibrant economy in Europe, Angela is not only loved in Germany but also in France which is indeed a big surprise for the French Leaders. Another example of her power is the fact that she has never supported the NATO air strikes on less privileged nations like Libya.