Rice Tops Forbes' Most Powerful Women List
Friday, July 29, 2005
SINGAPORE - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has beaten 99 female
heads of state, chief executives and celebrities to top Forbes magazine's
list of the world's most powerful women for the second year in a row.
Daytime talk show giant Oprah Winfrey was ninth on the list and the
magazine's choice for most powerful female celebrity
The magazine's gauge of a "composite of visibility, measured by press
citations, and economic impact" had China's Vice-Premier Wu Yi in second
followed by Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoschenko in third.
Scandal-tainted Philippine President Gloria Arroyo was 4th, Forbes
said, but she "could soon be off" if she fails to survive impeachment
proceedings brought against her by the opposition who alleged she cheated
her way to victory last year.
In fact, the magazine saw Rice as wielding such raw power that she won
last year's inaugural rankings, even before President Bush gave her the
secretary of state job. She won as Bush's National Security Adviser.
"With her steely nerve and delicate manners, Rice lately has
reinvigorated her position with diplomatic activism," said Forbes on its Web
site about its no. 1 in terms of feminine clout.
"Rice has played a key, behind-the-scenes role in all of President
George W. Bush's major decisions," Forbes said.
About the runner up, the magazine said: "Wu Yi has been busy this year
as she helps China battle disgruntled textile manufacturers, due to the
lifting of World Trade Organization quotas."
Like magic, "Harry Potter" author J.K Rowling shot up the rankings to
no. 40 from 85th last year following the mid-July release of the latest book
in the popular series. Rowling is the top British woman in the poll, ahead
of 62nd-ranked Cherie Blair, the prime minister's wife and Queen Elizabeth
II in 75th place.
Among the notables who made the 2004 rankings but disappeared this
year include former Indonesian leader Megawati Sukarnoputri and
ex-Hewlett-Packard chief Carly Fiorina which "illustrates how fleeting power
is," said Forbes.
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