Oprah, Beyonce, DeGeneres, Swift among Forbes’ most powerful women
Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce Knowles, Ellen DeGeneres and Taylor Swift have all found themselves in pretty impressive company now that Forbes has rolled out its world’s most powerful women of 2015 list.
Eleven successful women in entertainment are among the female policymakers, leaders, company heads and philanthropists who clinched the financial magazine’s 100 spots based on money, media presence, spheres of influence and impact.
None of the entertainers ranked in the top 10, reserved for the likes of German Chancellor Angela Merkel (1), U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton (2), philanthropist Melinda Gates (3) and First Lady Michelle Obama (10).
Here’s how they did rank: TV queen Winfrey (12), powerhouse recording artist Beyonce (21), talk-show host DeGeneres (50), actress-director Angelina Jolie (54), “Modern Family’s†Sofia Vergara (57), singer and humanitarian Shakira Mebarak (81).
“Shake It Off†hitmaker Swift made the list for the first time and, at age 25, is the youngest woman to be included on it, the mag said. She came in at No. 64.
Behind-the-scenes Hollywood power players include Cable Entertainment Group head Bonnie Hammer (52), Universal Pictures Chairwoman Donna Langley (58) and newly appointed Chair and CEO of Fox Television Group Dana Walden (74).
Chinese actress-activist Yao Chen ranked at No. 82. Dubbed the “Angelina Jolie†of China, Chen was also named the U.N. Refugee Agency Goodwill Ambassador and works to highlight issues in the Chinese-speaking world.
Follow me on Twitter @NardineSaad.
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