From Angela to Angelina: Forbes posts list of the world’s most powerful women

Forbes Magazine has come out with its annual list of the world's most powerful women, a ranking that includes politicians, business leaders, entertainers, philanthropists, activists and other movers and shakers from all over the world.

According to the magazine, it uses four metrics to determine the rankings: money, media presence, spheres of influence and impact.

At number one for the ninth time in the list's 12-year history is German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The 60-year-old was recently elected for a third four-year term as the head of Europe's largest economy.

Next in line is former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, 67, who recently announced that she will be running for President in 2016.

Other famous women who made the list are:

3. Melinda Gates, 50: The co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is one of the world's most powerful philanthropists, giving away $3.9 billion in 2014 to several global development projects, many of them targeting women and girls all over the world.

10. Michelle Obama, 51: The First Lady of the United States is a Princeton- and Harvard-trained lawyer whose causes include advancing girls' education and promoting the benefits of proper nutrition and adequate exercise, especially among children.

12. Oprah Winfrey, 61: Winfrey has a net worth of $3 billion—she is the only African-American woman on Forbes' list of 400 richest Americans—a cable network, a ton of clout and nearly unparalleled name recognition.

21. Beyonce, 33: The pop superstar is the highest-ranking entertainer on this list as well as the list of Forbes' Top 100 Celebrities after the success of her world tour and her surprise album.

22. Marissa Mayer, 39: In 2012, Mayer left Google after 13 years to head Yahoo. With an annual salary of $42 million, she is one of the US' highest-paid CEOs.

28. Anna Wintour, 65: With her trademark bob, Vogue's editor-in-chief is often the most recognizable face at fashion shows. She hosts New York's most fashionable party, the Met Gala, and perhaps has more influence on fashion thn anyone else.

34. Loretta Lynch, 56: One of the 19 newcomers to the Forbes list is newly sworn-in US Attorney General, the first woman of color to be appointed to the position. According to Forbes, the charges she brought against a mobster for a cash and jewelry heist were dramatized in Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas."

41. Queen Elizabeth II, 89: The world's oldest monarch will become the longest-reigning king or queen in more than 1,200 years of British history in September.

50. Ellen DeGeneres, 57: Whenever something goes viral online, it is likely to end up on "Ellen," the long-running talk show of comedian and daytime TV queen DeGeneres, who also runs a production company.

54. Angelina Jolie, 39: The A-list star not only commands one of the highest salaries in Hollywood. As a United Nations special envoy, she has brought the plight of refugees in Asia, Africa and the Middle East to the world's attention. After a double mastectomy last year and the removal of her ovaries earlier this year, she also put preventive surgery to reduce the risk of certain cancers in the news.

64. Taylor Swift, 25: Another newcomer to the list is pop superstar Swift, whose album "1989" has sold about 3.5 million copies to date and launched several hit singles.

Go here to view the complete list. — BM, GMA News