The World’s Most Powerful Women for 2015

Forbes has released its annual list of the World’s Most Powerful Women. Oprah, Beyonce, Ellen DeGeneres, Angelina Jolie, Sofia Vergara and Taylor Swift all made the list.

The world’s most powerful woman, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, has been described as the de facto leader of the European Union. After earning a doctorate as a physical chemist, Merkel entered politics in 1989. She was appointed Germany’s first female Chancellor in 2005, a position she’s held for a historic three terms. Chancellor Merkel has made the list 10 times over the past 12 years — nine times as No. 1.

It’s not just women that she ranks among though; she was rated the world’s second most powerful person by Forbes in 2013, the highest ranking ever achieved by a woman, though for 2015 she ranked fifth.

Hillary Clinton has appeared on this list EVERY YEAR since it launched in 2004, and for 2015 she’s No. 2.

The top ranking billionaire this year is Oprah Winfrey at No. 12, with a personal net worth of $3 billion. In addition to her fame, Oprah founded both Harpo Productions and The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.

Beyonce Knowles is the top entertainer at No. 21 and Ellen DeGeneres ranks 50, Angelina Jolie 54 and Sofia Vergara 57. I had no idea but Sophia Vergera is the highest-earning actress on television due to a hefty per-episode salary for “Modern Family” and endorsement deals in both English and Spanish for multiple products. And Ellen is rolling out a luxury clothing line this summer, ED by Ellen, which she describes as “casual and chic,” plus she’s going to publish her first book on interior design.

Pop star Taylor Swift is new to the list in 2015 at 65 but it’s more than her musical talent that got her there.  When her album “1989” debuted with 1.287 million copies sold in the first week, Taylor Swift donated five figures to the New York City Department of Education from sales of “Welcome to New York,” and promises to continue to give as long as the song sells.

Here is the full list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women