US First Lady Michelle Obama comes in ahead of leading CEOs and celebrities to be named the most powerful woman in the world by Forbes magazine. Others making the top five were Irene Rosenfeld – Kraft Foods boss, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The list this year was based more on creative influences and entrepreneurship and less on more traditional titles and roles. Forbes said that Michelle Obama has provided a new generation of females with a world role model. Last year Mrs. Obama was ranked as the 40th most powerful woman in the world while Angela Merkel came in at the top spot.
Michelle Obama, former private attorney, has had consistent, high approval ratings over the past two years as she strives to advocate healthy living to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity.
Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Ellen Degeneres made the top ten list this year while Queen Elizabeth II came in at number 41. Chief executive of Westpac, Gail Kelly and CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi also landed spots on the top ten list.
