Revealed: The world’s most powerful women

Despite this year’s Gulf Business Arab Power List being 75 per cent men, women in the region have continued to make a significant impact inside and outside of the workplace.

The Gulf’s businesswomen join an illustrious list of top-level female executives, heads of state and agenda-setters from around the world, showcasing the growing influence of women on global politics, business, and more. Here, we highlight 10 of the most powerful women in the world today who are providing inspiration to new generations of female leaders.

MELINDA GATES
Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
United States

THERESA MAY
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom

ANGELA MERKEL
Chancellor of Germany
Germany

SHERYL SANDBERG
COO, Facebook
United States

MARY BARRA
CEO and chairwoman, General Motors
United States

JANET YELLEN
Chair of the board of governors, Federal Reserve System
United States

CHRISTINE LAGARDE
Managing director, International Monetary Fund
France

ANA PATRICIA BOTIN
Executive chairwoman, Santander Group
Spain

GINNI ROMETTY
Chairwomen, president and CEO, IBM
United States

OPRAH WINFREY
Media mogul
United States