Top Ten: The World’s Most Powerful Women Revealed

Business magazine Forbes have released their list of the world's most powerful women in the world, and German chancellor Angela Merkel has topped the list for the third year running.

Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff is second in the list, and Melinda Gates, co-chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is third.

The 10th annual index represents women from the worlds of politics, business, media, humanitarian concerns, entertainment, and the technology industry.

Beyoncé topped the entertainment industry's rankings, in 17th place overall. Actress Angelina Jolie made it to 37th place on the overall index and Lady Gaga to 45th.

Angela Merkel topped the list for the third year running. 

Once the lists's number one, Michelle Obama made it to fourth place this year.

Moira Forbes, president and publisher of ForbesWoman, said: “This year’s power women exert influence in very different ways, and to very different ends, and all with very different impacts on the global community.

“Whether leading multibillion-dollar companies, governing countries, shaping the cultural fabric of our lives or spearheading humanitarian initiatives, collectively these women are changing the planet in profoundly powerful and dynamic ways.”

Here are the top ten world's most powerful women:

The list reads:

1. Angela Merkel, chancellor, Germany

2. Dilma Rouseff, president, Brazil

3. Melinda Gates, co-chairman of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, US

4. Michelle Obama, first lady, US

5. Hillary Clinton, former secretary of state, US

6. Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook, US

7. Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, US

8. Janet Napolitano, secretary of Homeland Security, US

9. Sonia Gandhi, president of the Indian National Congress party, India

10. Indra Nooyi, chief executive of PepsiCo, US