US first lady Michel Obama is the world’s most influential woman: Forbes

US first lady Michel Obama is heading a ranking list of the world’s most influential women prepared by Forbes.

Among her achievements the magazine mentions her active fight for the nation’s healthcare, as well as her active involvement in the US politics.

The second most influential woman in the list is Irene Rosenfeld, Chief Executive of Kraft Foods followed by Oprah Winfrey, talk show host and media mogul.

German’s Chancellor Angela Merkel whom Forbes recognized as the world’s most influential woman for four consecutive years is now the 4th in the list.

The top 10 includes also US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Chief Executive of Pepsico Indra Nooya, singer and performance artist Lady Gaga, Chief Executive of Westpac Gail Kelly, singer and fashion designer Beyoncé Knowles and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

The list includes also:

11. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, U.S.
12. Angela Braly, Chief Executive, Wellpoint
13. Janet Napolitano, Secretary, Homeland Security, U.S.
14. Cynthia Carroll, Chief Executive, Anglo American
15. Sheila Bair, Chair, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
16. Sarah Palin, Political maverick and commentator
17. Mary Schapiro, Chair, Securities and Exchange Commission
18. Ellen Kullman, Chief Executive, DuPont
19. Sonia Sotomayor, Supreme Court Justice, U.S.
20. Ursula Burns, Chief Executive, Xerox
21. Angelina Jolie, Actor and UN Goodwill Ambassador
22. Katie Couric, News anchor
23. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary, Health & Human Services
24. Anne Lauvergeon, Chief Executive, Areva
25. Elena Kagan, Supreme Court Justice, U.S.