The most powerful woman in the world

Michelle Obama, America's First Lady, has been voted as the 'most powerful woman in the world' by Forbes.

U.S. First Lady rose as high as 39 places and deposed the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel in the rankings compiled by Forbes, the business magazine. It is all praise of her formidable combination of style and political nous.

Since her husband's Presidential election campaign, Michelle Obama has been addressing several campaigns of her own, including women's rights and improved school nutrition. A fashion icon and an athletic mother of two, Mrs. Obama has made the office of First Lady her own.

Michelle Obama is followed by Irene Rosenfeld, the chief executive of Kraft Foods and a figure familiar on this side of the Atlantic after Kraft's controversial takeover of Cadbury, which resulted in 400 jobs loss.

Oprah Winfrey, the most famous talk show host was third, followed by Angela Merkel, the current Chancellor of Germany, who has topped the list for the past four years.

Former U.S. First Lady Hillary Clinton was fifth, being praised for bringing 'star power' to the State Department, although she has failed in bringing peace to Middle East.

Indian born Indra Nooyi, chief executive of PepsiCo was in sixth place ahead of Lady Gaga, the singer. Australian banking Chief Gail Kelly was eight on the list.

Beyoncé Knowles, the pop singer, was 9th, followed by former American Idol judge and the talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

This year's new entry Sarah Palin is in 16th place. Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, France's First Lady, managed to grab only 35th place in the list.

The Queen Elizabeth was placed 41st. The monarch moved one place higher than her 2009 ranking. Thanks to her address at the United Nations which raised her profile in the U.S.