Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was recognized by Forbes magazine as the fifth most powerful woman in the world in 2025, within the annual list that highlights the female figures with the greatest global influence in areas such as politics, business, technology, the arts, and activism.
“Forbes Power Women 2025” emphasized that women are leading the systems that will define the next decade, underscoring their growing relevance in technology, finance, and politics. In this context, the magazine considered that Sheinbaum’s leadership has a profound impact both in Mexico and internationally.
In its 22nd edition of “The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women,” Forbes recalled that Sheinbaum made history by becoming Mexico’s first female president after securing “a landslide victory” in the June 2024 elections, marking her rise to power as a decisive moment for the country and for female representation in Latin America.
The magazine also noted that nearshoring places Mexico — and Sheinbaum — at the center of North America’s manufacturing transformation, as her role will be key to driving regional economic growth and attracting strategic investments that redefine the country’s competitiveness.
Forbes also pointed to the Mexican President’s academic background, describing her as “a distinguished scientist,” with a doctorate in energy engineering and as part of the team awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for her contribution to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The ranking was developed based on four main metrics: money, media, impact, and spheres of influence. The one hundred women included — 17 of them newcomers — wield a collective economic power of 37 trillion dollars and influence more than one billion people.
The 2025 list is led by five figures in the category of politics and public policy: Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank; Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan; Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy; and Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico.
The ranking includes three Mexican women: Sheinbaum, in fifth place in the politics category; Paula Santilli, CEO of PepsiCo Latin America Foods, in 72nd place in the business category; and Blanca Treviño, cofounder and president of Softtek, in 86th place in the technology category.
Forbes also highlights business leaders such as Julie Sweet (Accenture), Mary Barra (General Motors), and Gail Boudreaux (Elevance); in finance, figures such as Jane Fraser (Citi) and Abigail Johnson (Fidelity); and in media and entertainment, global icons such as Taylor Swift, Oprah Winfrey, and Beyoncé.
In technology, notable figures include Lisa Su (AMD), Ruth Porat (Alphabet), and Gwynne Shotwell (SpaceX), while in philanthropy the list features MacKenzie Scott, Melinda French Gates, and Laurene Powell Jobs.
With her position in the “top 5,” Claudia Sheinbaum has become one of the most influential political figures in the world and a leader whose decisions will shape economic, social, and environmental agendas in the years to come.
Related: The New York Times Names Claudia Sheinbaum One of the 67 Most Stylish People of 2025
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