The World's Most Powerful Women 2024

The 100 leaders on Forbes's 2024 list of the World's Most Powerful Women oversee a total of $33 trillion in GDP and influence the lives of over a billion people. Here's a look at the top ten who are breaking down barriers in politics, philanthropy, and business.

- JAMILA GANDHI

1. Ursula von der Leyen

President, European Commission, European Union

Age: 66 • Residence: Belgium Citizenship: Germany Category: Politics & Policy

von der Leyen was appointed president of the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, in July 2019. She is the first woman to serve in the role, which is responsible for legislation affecting more than 450 million Europeans. She was reelected for a second five-year term in July 2024. She has said one of her most important tasks in her second term is strengthening Europe's democracy. From 2005 until 2019, von der Leyen served in Angela Merkel's cabinet-the longest tenure of any cabinet member.

2. Christine Lagarde

President, European Central Bank

Age: 69. Residence: Germany Citizenship: France Category: Politics & Policy

Lagarde became the first woman to head the European Central Bank on November 1, 2019. As head of European monetary policy, Lagarde faces a critical test: ensuring economic growth in a high-inflation environment. From 2011 until mid-2019, Lagarde ran the International Monetary Fund, which works to ensure the stability of the global monetary system. She was the first woman to hold that position.

3. Giorgia Meloni

Prime Minister, Italy

Age: 47 • Residence: Italy Citizenship: Italy Category: Politics & Policy