Angela Merkel tops list of world's most powerful women

Aug 24, 2011, 21:30 GMT

Washington - Lady Gaga may have the glamour, but Angela Merkel has the power.

The German chancellor was named the world's most powerful woman on Wednesday in Forbes' magazine's annual list, ahead of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Brazil President Dilma Rousseff.

Lady Gaga, who has dominated the pop charts and fashion industry with her eclectic style, reached 11th place. Fourth place went to PepsiCo chief executive Indra Nooyi, followed by Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg.

Melinda Gates, wife of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and co-chair of the world's largest charitable foundation, was named the sixth most powerful woman, followed by Sonia Gandhi, president of the Indian National Congress Party, and US First Lady Michelle Obama.

Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, was ninth, and Kraft Foods chief executive Irene Rosenfeld took 10th place.

Other prominent women included New York Times executive editor Jill Abramson in 12th, Oprah Winfrey in 14th, Beyonce in 18th and Cher Wang, chairwoman of smartphone maker HTC, in 20th.