Who Is World's Most Powerful Woman?

For the second year in a row, Angela Merkel, the first woman to become chancellor of Germany, tops Forbes' list of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women.

Forbes mentioned her leadership qualities and ability to persuade European Union leaders to get moving on a treaty to replace their failed constitution as reasons for her appearance in the top stop.

Coming in at No. 2 on Forbes' list is China's vice premier, Wu Yi.

Yi continues to help lead a government that oversees an economy whose gross domestic product may soon eclipse Germany's, making it the third-biggest economy in the world. Wu recently stared down U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson when he made myriad demands, including a revaluation of the yuan, in recent strategic economic talks with the U.S.

The rest of Forbes' Most Powerful Women run companies, governments and non profit organizations. They are at the top or close to the top of their respected industries and professions.

Secretary Of State Condoleezza Rice slipped to No. 4; She was second on the list last year.

Talk-show queen Oprah Winfrey was ranked No. 21 on the list. She beat out Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who were ranked No. 25 and No. 26.

Top 30

1. Angela Merkel, Chancellor Country: Germany

2. Wu Yi, Vice Premier Country: China

3. Ho Ching, Chief Executive, Temasek Holdings Country: Singapore

4. Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State Country: U.S.

5. Indra K. Nooyi Chairman, chief executive, PepsiCo Country: U.S.

6. Sonia Gandhi President, National Congress Party Country: India

7. Cynthia Carroll Chief executive, Anglo American Country: U.K.

8. Patricia A. Woertz Chairman, Archer Daniels Midland Country: U.S.

9. Irene Rosenfeld Chairman, chief executive, Kraft Foods Country: U.S

10. Patricia Russo Chief executive, Alcatel-Lucent Country: U.S.

11. Michèle Alliot-Marie Minister for the Interior and overseas territories Country: France

12. Christine Lagarde Minister of economy, finance and employment Country: France

13. Anne M. Mulcahy Chairman, chief executive, Xerox Country: U.S.

14. Anne Lauvergeon Chief executive, Areva Country: France

15. Mary Sammons Chairman, chief executive, president, Rite Aid Corp. Country: U.S.

16. Angela Braly Chief executive, president, WellPoint Country: U.S.

17. Marjorie Scardino Chief executive, Pearson PLC Country: U.K.

18.Wu Xiaoling Deputy governor, People's Bank of China Country: China

19. Brenda Barnes Chairman, chief executive, Sara Lee Corp. Country: U.S.

20. Ruth Bader Ginsburg Supreme court justice Country: U.S.

21. Oprah Winfrey Chairman, Harpo Country: U.S.

22. Margaret Whitman Chief executive, president, Ebay Country: U.S.

23. Queen Elizabeth II Queen Country: U.K.

24. Melinda Gates Cofounder, cochairman, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Country: U.S.

25. Hillary Rodham Clinton U.S. senator, New York Country: U.S.

26. Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House, House of Representatives Country: U.S.

27. Michelle Bachelet President Country: Chile

28. Safra A. Catz President, chief financial officer, Oracle Country: U.S.

29. Susan E. Arnold President, global business units, Procter & Gamble Country: U.S.

30. Andrea Jung Chairman, chief executive, Avon Products Country: U.S.