100 Most Powerful Women According to Forbes

by Lynette Palmen | September 8, 2008 | Business News | Social Debate

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is the world’s most powerful woman for the third straight year, topping Forbes magazine’s 2008 list of the top 100 women based on their career, economic impact and media coverage.

There are 54 business executives and 23 politicians on the list, with media personalities and heads of non-profit organizations rounding out the top 100. Forbes said 45 percent of the women are based outside the United States.

Personally I was surprised not to see Oprah up there with the best, but in saying that I was very excited to see our very own Gail Kelly, head of Westpac made it into No. 11 place.

Are you surprised not to see Oprah listed as on of the 25 front runners in the most powerful women in the world?

Lynette Palmen AM, Founder and Director, www.womensnetwork.com.au

Contributed by Lynette Palmen . Lynette Palmen AM is the Founder and Managing Director or Women's Network Australia. She started WNA 20 years ago to offer support, inspiration and services that would inspire women to succeed in their career and business endeavours. WNA is now the Nation's premier networking organisation for business and professional women. T: 1800 052 476.

Lynette Palmen has written 44 article(s) for us.

Visit http://womensnetwork.com.au

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Bonnie Horvath

I think it is really sad that people think such people as Oprah Winfrey and Angela Merkel are the role models for who the world considers powerful.
Personally my money is on women like Wendy Lewis and Irene McKellar.
Food for thought for women out there who like to think though huh?
Nerida Gill

Yes, I'm very surprised not to see Oprah close to the top of the list. You only need to look at Obama, who was behind Hilary in the campaign stakes until Oprah publicly threw her support behind him. Now he could be the next US president.