The Financial Times rocks a list of the most powerful women of the year. Together with the First Lady of Ukraine Elena Zelenskaya, the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, singer Beyonce, and Iranian human rights activist Nargiz Mohammadi reached the top.
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The Financial Times’ annual list of the world’s most powerful women is compiled based on the opinions of the editorial team’s journalists, readers and experts from various fields. The laureates included in the review are classified into three categories: “Creators”, “Leaders” and “Heroes”.
Each category features women with prestigious awards: Nobel and Pulitzer Prizes, Grammy and World Cup. However, there are also lesser-known, but no less important women in the top.
Margot Robbie. The Australian actress and producer is known for her roles in the blockbusters Suicide Squad, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and many others.
Robbie was nominated for an Oscar twice, a Golden Globe four times and a British Academy Film Award five times.
In addition to her acting career, Margot is also developing a producing career. Now she runs the company LuckyChap, which actively competes with Hollywood movie mastodons. Thus, the film “Barbie,” produced with the participation of Margot, surpassed the $1 billion box office mark in a matter of weeks.
Barbara Kingsolver is an outstanding American writer and poet. Barbara has seven captivating novels to her credit, including The Poisonwood Bible, Animal Dreams and The Bean Trees. In 2023, the writer’s contribution was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Kingsolver won the award for her novel Demon Copperhead, a story about a young hero growing up in the Appalachian mountains.
Phoebe Philo graduated from one of the best design academies, Central Saint Martins in London. In 1997, while studying, Philo met Stella McCartney, who invited her to work for the Chloè brand. Soon Phoebe became at the helm of the fashion house. Under her leadership, the Old Céline brand became one of the three most popular brands in the world.
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is an American singer, actress, dancer, music producer and philanthropist. During her career, Biens received 28 Grammy awards – this figure is still an absolute record.
Also nominated were Indian actress and singer Alia Bhatt, writer and festival organizer Lola Shonain and South Korean K-pop girl group Aespa.
Leaders
Meera Murati is the CTO of OpenAI. Before joining the company, the 35-year-old businesswoman worked on the Tesla Model X and developed technology at Leap Motion. Murati compares developments in area II with the invention of the steam engine: the girl believes that the development of artificial intelligence will make human life much easier.
Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors. In 2009, after a protracted crisis, GM was forced to declare bankruptcy, come under the control of the US government and undergo a major reorganization. Then, as part of a personnel reshuffle, Barra took the position of director of HR, and after a successful IPO at the end of 2010, she was promoted to executive vice president of new developments. Now Barra is the first woman in the United States to head a large automobile concern.
Ursula von der Leyen is the head of the European Commission and the first woman to hold this post.
The nomination notes that Ursula’s professionalism has enabled new and innovative responses to the economic impact of Covid-19 and helped accelerate Europe’s recovery from the pandemic.
The politician also showed her worth after the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war: she actively lobbied for the introduction of sanctions against Russia, and also advocated for the allocation of military and economic assistance to Ukraine.
Lisa Dyson is the fourth African American woman in history to receive a doctorate in theoretical physics. Today, Dyson heads a major business – she is the founder and CEO of Kiverdi, a biotech company using carbon conversion technologies to develop environmentally friendly products for commercial use.
Makika Ono is the CEO of Suntory Beverage and Food. Despite its high level of economic development, Japan has one of the widest gender wage gaps among high-income countries. According to Tokyo Shoko Research, of the 1,802 companies listed on the Tokyo Prime Market, only sixteen are run by women.
This year she became the first female CEO of a Japanese company worth more than $5 billion.
Heroes
Narges Mohammadi is an Iranian human rights activist and political prisoner, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for her struggle against the oppression of women in Iran and her struggle to promote human rights and freedom for all.”
Mohammadi was convicted five times: in total she was sentenced to 31 years in prison and 154 lashes. In August 2023, Narges increased her sentence for interviews and official UN appeals about violence in Iranian prisons, which she was able to give from camera. The activist is currently being held in Evin Prison in Tehran.
Cori Gauff is an American tennis player, six-time WTA Tour winner in singles and eight-time in doubles. Gauff is popular for bringing attention to important social issues. She advocates for the Black Lives Matter movement and criticizes laws restricting LGBT+ rights in her home state of Florida.
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema is the first African woman to chair the UN Convention and is a leader and lawyer in the field of biodiversity. Since 2023, Mrema has served as deputy executive director of the UN Environment Program, lobbying for environmental protection laws, and working on nature restoration programs.
The list of “heroes” is completed by the First Lady of Ukraine Elena Zelenskaya; scientist Catalin Kariko; the activist whose post launched Taiwan’s #MeToo movement, Chen Chien-Jou; athlete Jenny Hermosa.
Source: Racurs

I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.