These Are The Most Powerful Women In The World In 2024 - Page 16 of 35

Ursula von der Leyen: European Commission President

Ursula von der Leyen became Germany’s first female minister of defense in 2013. In this position, she advocated more military spending to improve Germany’s defense system. Previously, much of its weaponry, including tanks, were not deployable.

She is even more famous as the president of the European Commission, the first woman elected to this prestigious position. She is also a licensed physician.