The World's 5 Most Powerful Women

As Angela Merkel retired from public office in 2021, Forbes’ 18th edition of its World’s 100 Most Powerful Women list had a new number one in 2021 for the first time in 11 years. The list represents 30 different nationalities, but in the top five France’s Christine Lagarde is the only one not from the U.S.

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1. MacKenzie Scott

Country: U.S. Philanthropist, author, and ex-wife of billionaire Jeff Bezos, Scott ranked as the world’s most powerful woman in 2021. As of January 12, 2022, Scott was the thirdrichest woman in the world, after she was awarded 25% of Jeff Bezos’ Amazon stake after their divorce in 2019. Shortly after, Scott signed the giving pledge, promising to donate at least half of her wealth to charitable causes over the course of her lifetime. According to Forbes, as of January 2022 she had already given away $8.6 billion to over 780 organizations working for gender equity, racial justice, public health, and more. The nonprofits she donates to have full control over the funds they receive.

2. Kamala Harris