Our world is populated with numerous influential figures who have garnered acclaim in various fields. The term “powerful” extends beyond mere financial wealth, encompassing judgment and impact across diverse aspects of an individual’s life. This includes individuals from politics, business, and affluent families featured in the Forbes list. If you’re curious about the identity of the most powerful person globally, you’ve landed in the right place. In this post, we’ll present an updated list of the top 10 most powerful people worldwide, spanning a range of professions.
Top 10 Most Powerful People in the World
10. Larry Page
Lawrence Edward Page, the co-founder of Google, stands as one of the world’s most influential figures. Born on March 26, 1973, in East Lansing, Michigan, U.S., Page is now the CEO of Alphabet and ranks as the 9th richest person globally, with a net worth of approximately $55.2 billion USD. Notably, he invented the Page Rank, a search ranking algorithm. Given his role in overseeing the world’s largest search engine, Page rightfully holds a position among the most powerful people on the planet.
9. Bill Gates
No discussion of the most powerful individuals globally is complete without mentioning Bill Gates. Born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, Gates, with a current net worth of around $97.9 billion USD, is the founder of Microsoft Corporation. Beyond his success as a business magnate, Gates is recognized for his diverse talents, including being a smart investor, author, expert businessman, humanitarian, and philanthropist. His presence on Forbes’ list of the world’s most powerful people in 2018 solidifies his impact.
8. Pope Francis
Pope Francis, the current sovereign and pope of Vatican City, is a figure of immense influence. Born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he assumed the position of the 266th pope on March 13, 2013. As the first pope from the Americas, first Jesuit priest as pope, and the first non-European, Pope Francis holds a unique place in history. Forbes recognizes his influence, placing him at No. 6 on the list of the world’s most powerful people.
7. Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos, born on January 12, 1964, is a prominent figure listed by Forbes among the most powerful people globally. As an American tech entrepreneur and the founder, CEO, and chairman of Amazon, Bezos has played a pivotal role in shaping the digital landscape. Graduating from Princeton University in 1986, Bezos’ current net worth of around $150 billion USD cements his status as one of the most powerful individuals in the world.
6. Angela Merkel
Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, is recognized as the most powerful woman in the world. Born on July 17, 1954, in Hamburg, West Germany, Merkel, a trained physicist, entered politics after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. As the longest-serving incumbent chief of government in the European Union and the current senior G7 leader, Merkel’s influence extends globally. Forbes acknowledges her by placing her among the world’s most powerful women.
5. Donald Trump
Coming in at the 5th place on the list of the most powerful people globally is Donald John Trump, the President of the United States. Born on June 14, 1946, in New York City, Trump has been a prominent figure both in business and television. Before entering politics, he was a TV personality and businessman. His current net worth is approximately $3.1 billion USD, and Forbes has duly recognized him in their list of powerful individuals worldwide.
4. Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, the former intelligence officer and current President of Russia since 2012, holds the 4th position on the list of the world’s most powerful people. Born on October 7, 1952, in Leningrad, Putin’s political career includes serving as Prime Minister from 1999 to 2000. His strong leadership has solidified his position as a powerful personality not only in Russia but globally.
3. Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping, born on June 15, 1953, in Beijing, China, is another formidable figure on the global stage. A former Chinese politician, he currently holds the position of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and is referred to as the “Paramount leader” of China. With a net worth of around $1.51 billion USD, Xi Jinping leads the central military commission of China and tops Forbes’ list of the world’s most powerful people.
2. Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud
Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, born on August 31, 1985, is a highly influential figure, serving as the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. Known for his lavish lifestyle, he is the first serving deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and head of development affairs in Saudi Arabia. Mohammed bin Salman has played a pivotal role in restructuring Saudi Arabia’s economy, with a current net worth of approximately $10 billion USD.
1. Kim Jong-un
Topping the list of the world’s most powerful people is Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea and head of the Workers’ Party of Korea since 2011 and 2012, respectively. Born on January 8, 1983, in North Korea, Kim Jong-un is the first North Korean leader born after the country’s establishment. He has held key positions in the National Defense Commission of State and the Central Military Commission. Kim Jong-un’s leadership places North Korea among the most powerful nations globally.
In summary, the top 10 most powerful people in the world hail from diverse backgrounds, contributing significantly to politics, business, and international affairs. Their impact is not only measured by financial wealth but also by their influence and leadership on a global scale.