Nirmala Sitaraman outshines Global icons, secures 32nd rank in the Forbes Most Powerful Women List 2023

Forbes recently published its yearly compilation of the Most Powerful Women, featuring four individuals from India in its 2023 edition. The top-ranking Indian woman in this prestigious list is Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, occupying the 32nd rank.

Forbes' compilation of the most influential women globally, which includes notable figures such as Taylor Swift and US Vice President Kamala Harris, includes three Indian businesswomen, namely, HCL Corporation CEO Roshni Nadar Malhotra (ranked 60), Chairperson of Steel Authority of India Soma Mondal (ranked 70), and Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (ranked 760, in addition to Finance Minister Sitharaman.

Nirmala Sitharaman took the role of India's finance minister in 2019. She concurrently serves as the Union Corporate Affairs Minister. Before this, she held the position of the 28th defense minister of India, making her the second woman in the country to oversee both these crucial ministries. In the 2022 Forbes list of the most powerful women, Sitharaman secured the 36th position. The Fortune recognized her as the most influential woman in India during the same year.

In the Forbes list of the World's Most Powerful Women for 2023, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen claims the top spot, followed closely by European Central Bank head Christine Lagarde in the second position. The third position is secured by the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris.

Notably, India's Finance Minister and Union Corporate Affairs Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman has occupied the 32nd rank, surpassing renowned female figures such as Beyonce (Rank 36), Rihanna (Rank 74), and Donna Langley (Rank 54).

The top 10 of this prestigious list also features prominent female figures like Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, philanthropist Melinda Gates, and Jane Fraser, contributing to a diverse representation of impactful women across various fields.​