Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been named the fourth most powerful woman in the world on Forbes magazine’s 2025 ranking of the 100 Most Powerful Women, slipping one position from her No. 3 spot in previous years. Her place was taken by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who entered the list at No. 3 after assuming office on October 21.
Topping the prestigious list for the fourth consecutive year is European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, followed by European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum completes the top five.
Forbes’ annual ranking, now in its 22nd edition, highlights women whose influence spans politics, business, finance, technology, and culture, with criteria including economic power, media presence, and global impact.
Meloni’s Position Among Global Leaders
At No. 4, Meloni remains the highest-ranked Italian on the list, reflecting her continued prominence on the world stage. Her ranking follows prior placements at No. 3 in 2023 and 2024. Politico also named her the most influential person in Europe in 2024.
Behind her, Sheinbaum’s fifth-place ranking underscores the growing influence of women leaders in global politics. Forbes noted Sheinbaum’s historical election as Mexico’s first female president and her role in shaping economic policy in North America.
The 2025 list reflects a wide array of sectors and regions:
- IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva appears at No. 17.
- Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s finance minister, ranks 24th.
- Rachel Reeves, United Kingdom’s chancellor of the Exchequer, places 39th.
Italian Business Influence
Meloni is not the only Italian woman on the ranking. Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle earns a spot at No. 49, highlighting female leadership in global corporate sectors.
Forbes’ 2025 list spans women from 25 countries, with nearly half holding CEO positions and representing sectors from politics to technology. The publication notes the collective influence of the women ranked, who control trillions in revenue and shape economies and policy worldwide.
