The current era of female empowerment is stronger and better than ever, and the growing number of younger influencers on the list is enough proof that age is nothing but a number. This year, 17 women -- all under the age of 45 -- made it onto FORBES' annual list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women.
At 25, Taylor Swift is the youngest woman to make the list (No. 64). The bona fide, cross-genre global megastar has not only broken record sales and captivated the world with her fantastically honest music, but she has proven herself as an impressive businesswoman. Late last year, the pop-country singer pulled her entire catalogue from Spotify, making at a strike for the notion that streaming services don’t adequately compensate artists.
As an entertainer, she has also changed the sometimes cruel culture of fame itself. After all, who needs the paparazzi when you could be transparent and let fans in on your own? Swift knows the key to making her voice and actions heard and taken seriously: getting her millions of fans to trust her. She often posts her own photos to Instagram and interacts with her "Swifties" as often as her time permits. It wasn't a difficult decision to put Swift on the list, and there's no denying that she's one of the most significant cultural influencers of our time.
Full Coverage: The 100 Most Powerful Women In The World
Ranking high at No. 8 is Facebook's Chief Operating Officer, Sheryl Sandberg. The 45-year-old former
The Harvard MBA was also a World Bank economist and chief of staff to then-Treasury Secretary Larry Summers. Indeed, a very intimidating resume, but her emphasis on justice and ability to vocalize her vulnerability makes her likable and relatable to men and women alike. One of my favorite lines from Lean In:
I still face situations that I fear are beyond my capabilities. I still have days when I feel like a fraud. And I still sometimes find myself spoken over and discounted while men sitting next to me are not. But now I know how to take a deep breath and keep my hand up. I have learned to sit at the table.
Marissa Mayer, 38, also lands a spot at No. 22. Last year, the Yahoo chief's salary jumped to $42 million, making her one of the highest-paid female CEOs in the U.S. She's revamped the quality and content since jumping on board in 2012, recruiting new hires like Katie Couric and Matt Bai. Though sales growth have remained sluggish, Mayer announced earlier this year Yahoo's plans to spin off Yahoo's stake in Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba.
Other young power women to make the list include those who helm the entertainment stage, but also take on the role as ambassadors for meaningful causes, such as Angelina Jolie and Beyoncé. Others sectors include founders and executives of large companies like Marissa Mayer of Yahoo, Elizabeth Holmes of Theramos, and Jenny Lee of Cheil Industries.
Click through the gallery above to see the 17 youngest leaders who made our Power Women list.
