29 nations are represented in the 2009 Forbes list of most powerful women. Nations as diverse as Ireland and Saudi Arabia have women represented on the list. The top 10 most powerful women are listed below:

 

• 1 Angela Merkel Chancellor Germany

• 2 Sheila Bair, Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. U.S.

• 3 Indra Nooyi, Chief executive, PepsiCo U.S.

• 4 Cynthia Carroll, Chief executive, Anglo American U.K.

• 5 Ho Ching, Chief executive, Temasek Singapore

• 6 Irene Rosenfeld, Chief executive, Kraft Foods U.S.

• 7 Ellen Kullman, Chief executive, DuPont U.S.

• 8 Angela Braly, Chief executive, WellPoint U.S.

• 9 Anne Lauvergeon, Chief executive, Areva France

• 10 Lynn Elsenhans, Chief executive, Sunoco U.S.

The US is the top nation represented on the list but UK is the second highest nation with 4 represented, with Cynthia Carroll, Chief executive of Anglo American coming above the Queen who comes in at 42 on the list. UK Breakdown is below

• 4 Cynthia Carroll, Chief executive, Anglo American U.K.

• 19 Marjorie Scardino, Chief executive, Pearson Plc. U.K.

• 42 Queen, Elizabeth II Queen U.K. 

• 71 Angela Ahrendts, Chief executive, Burberry Group Plc. U.K.