Queen Rania, Lubna Olayan named in global power list
Pair ranked among world’s100 most powerful females in Forbes’ annual list
Jordan’s Queen Rania was ranked at No 53, in recognition of her campaigning for women’s issues and human rights
Jordan’s Queen Rania and the CEO of Saudi’s Olayan Financing, Lubna Olayan, have been named among the world’s 100 most powerful women by Forbes magazine.
The annual list, which ranks influential women from around the globe, includes a mix of CEOs, politicians, cultural icons and billionaires.
Described as “the most listened-to woman in the Middle East,” Queen Rania took the No.53 spot in recognition of her campaigning for women’s issues and human rights.
Jordan’s first lady has many as 1.6 million followers on Twitter and her own YouTube channel that has led to her receiving the online channel’s first ‘Visionary’ award.
Saudi Arabian businesswoman Lubna Olayan, who oversees 40 companies in her role as CEO of holding company Olayan Financing, took the No. 63 spot in this year’s list.
The UAE’s minister of the economy Sheikha Lubna, who ranked No. 70 in the 2010 list, was knocked off the rankings this year.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel topped the list as leader of the world’s fourth-largest economy, while US first lady Michelle Obama came in at No. 8.
At 70 percent, Michelle’s approval ratings outstrip those of her husband, President Obama, whose popularity ranks a comparatively lowly 40 percent.
Celebrities such as Lady GaGa (No. 11) and Angelina Jolie (No. 29) also made the list, having successfully utilised their celebrity status to raise money for humanitarian campaigns.
Business leaders and billionaires who earned themselves top slots included Carol Bartz (No. 37), for her role as CEO of Yahoo!, and JK Rowling (No. 61), author of the Harry Potter series.
