Forbes most powerful women list has Germany's Angela Merkel on top (VIDEO)

GlobalPost

For the seventh time in 10 years, Forbes says German Chancellor Angela Merkel is the most powerful woman in the world.

The magazine published its annual power rankings Wednesday, with some familiar faces and newcomers. Among the group are world leaders who control nations with a combined $11.8 trillion GDP and corporations valued at $893 billion collectively.

“We’ve selected women that go beyond the traditional taxonomy of the power elite (political and economic might),” Forbes’ Caroline Howard said at Forbes.com.

“These change-agents are actually shifting our very idea of clout and authority and, in the process, transforming the world in fresh and exhilarating ways.”

The list includes 100 women from politics, business, arts, culture and entertainment.

Second on the list is Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, third is Melinda Gates, fourth is Michelle Obama and fifth is Hillary Clinton.

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, IMF director Christine Lagarde, Homeland secretary Janet Napolitano, Indian National Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Pepsi CEO Indra Nooyi round out the top 10.

The youngest woman on the list is Lady Gaga, 27. She’s among a raft of celebrities “who matter,” Forbes says.

This is the 10th year Forbes has attempted to rank women based on “money, media presence and impact.”

Oprah Winfrey, Clinton, Queen Elizabeth II, Diane Sawyer, JK Rowling and Greta Van Susteren — among others — have appeared on each Forbes list.

More from GlobalPost: After the Iron Lady, powerful women from the last century

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