Chicagoans top Forbes list of most powerful

October 7, 2010 (CHICAGO) The Chicago women, respectively, were named the top three most powerful women in the world by Forbes Magazine. The article, on forbes.com, indicates the magazine looked at cultural impact, financial means and political influence when putting the list together.

In the article, Forbes said it choose the top women from four groups: politics, business, media and lifestyle and then ranked the women in each group against other groups, "Not easy, but that's today's reality: an unpredictable, diverse mash-up of hard power (currencies and constitutions) and dynamic power (audience and audacity)."

Forbes said the list is fluid and will change in the months to come.

Also among the top 10, pop star Lady Gaga, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Top 10 of the 2010 World's 100 Most Powerful Women list from Forbes:

1. Michelle Obama, first lady

2. Irene Rosenfeld, CEO Kraft Foods

3. Oprah Winfrey, talk show host

4. Angela Merkel, chancellor

5. Hillary Clinton, secretary of state

6. Indra Nooyi, CEO PepsiCo

7. Lady Gaga, pop star

8. Gail Kelly, CEO Westpac

9. Beyonce Knowles, singer

10. Ellen DeGeneres, talk show host

Check out Forbes full list at forbes.com/wealth/power-women.