Real power does not just control resources or influences others but is a combination of both as it can easily shape the world through absolute brilliance. There are only a few individuals whose decisions have both direct and indirect impacts on millions of people and who have the actual clout to bring about political or economic changes on a global scale.
Real power does not just control resources or influences others but is a combination of both as it can easily shape the globe through absolute brilliance. There are only a few individuals whose decisions have both direct and indirect impacts on millions of people and who have the actual clout to bring about political or economic changes on a global scale.
Billions of human beings occupy the Earth and to choose amongst them the top 15 most powerful people is not an easy task. Some of them are obvious choices because of their impact on a global scale, and some have carved themselves into a niche place because of hard work and sheer presence.
There is no doubt about the fact that these top 15 are some high-profile personalities who have made their action count in the scheme of things. Some of them have a cult following that is unprecedented, and others are considered an integral part of the elite group and are repeatedly featuring in the list.
Table of Contents
The world’s top 15 most powerful people in 2021 are as follows
1. Xi Jinping
Born on 15th June in the year 1953, Chinese President Xi Jinping is the supreme leader of the only political party in China, The Communist Party. He is widely acknowledged as the world’s top 15 most powerful people because of his domestic policies and firm stand in the international arena related to global trade.
The Chinese President Xi Jinping has undertaken several leadership positions by centralizing the institutional power and has been the ultimate force behind social reforms in his country. He has encouraged Chinese investments in most parts of the globe and has a hand in modernizing and restructuring his country.
Although he has been declared a dictator by some of the other countries, his fame and popularity remain high amongst his countrymen.
2. Vladimir Putin
Born on 7th October in the year 1952, Vladimir Putin was initially an intelligence officer in the Russian army who gradually reached the top with sheer determination and willpower because of his strategic mind and dominant personality.
Vladimir Putin served as the President of Russia from the years 1999 to 2008 and again from 2012 till 2021 and possibly the near future. During the first and second terms of President Vladimir Putin, the economy increased at an incredible pace because of effective fiscal policies.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been voted as the world’s most powerful person consequently from the year 2013 to 2016 and exerts tremendous authority. His popularity rating is at an all-time high, and his presence can be felt in shaping several outcomes.
3. Donald J. Trump
As per the latest reports from Forbes, the net worth of Donald Trump in the year 2021 is estimated at 2 billion dollars. Born on 14th June in the year 1946, he was initially a popular television personality and a high profile businessman, who took charge of the real-estate business of his family in the year 1971.
Donald Trump took part in the presidential election of the year 2016 as a candidate for the Republican Party. After gaining victory over his opponent, Hillary Clinton, he became the 45th President of the United States of America and remained in the office until the elections in the year 2020 when he was defeated by Joe Biden
Donald Trump gained immense fame as he imposed travel bans on several countries, made the immigration policy stricter, and followed a policy called America First where Americans were given priority over people from other countries.
Donald Trump has the distinction of being the first Billionaire president of the United States and will be remembered as someone who used to yield tremendous clout, control, and economic power as the President of the United States.
4. Angela Merkel
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been referred to as the most powerful person and the leader of the free world.
Born on 17th July in the year 1954, Angela Merkel worked as a research scientist until the year 1989. Later she entered politics and slowly and steadily gained prominence as one of the most remarkable leaders of her times.
Angela Merkel has been the leader of CDU (Christian Democratic Union) since the year 2000 and the first female Chancellor of Germany since the year 2005. In the year 2018, she was re-elected for a record fourth term. She was appointed as the President of the European Council in the year 2007.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel had a prominent role to play in negotiating the Berlin Declaration, The Treaty of Lisbon, fortifying transatlantic relations, managing the financial crisis at the international and domestic level, and encouraging health care reforms at national levels.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been acknowledged as the ultimate force that steered Germany back to growth and prosperity through her policies and reforms.
5. Jeff Bezos
Born on 12th January in the year 1964, Jeff Bezos is an American origin industrialist, investor, media proprietor, internet entrepreneur, and the founder of the multinational company Amazon.
With an estimated net worth of 186 billion dollars in May 2021, he has been acknowledged as the first centi-billionaire on the wealth index by Forbes.
Jeff Bezos started Amazon as an online book store and from there has made it the most extensive online organization based on sales, revenues, and providers of virtual assistants. He is also the founder of Blue Origin, a high-profile aerospace manufacturer and the owner of a major newspaper in America The Washington Post.
6. Pope Francis
The power lies in the chair he occupies no doubt but the current Pope of The Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis has proved himself as the world’s most influential religious leader. Born on 17th December in the year 1936, Pope Francis is the sovereign of the Vatican City and the head of the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis has been seen as a reformist as he gave the priests the power to forgive millions of females who had abortions, which was considered one of the major sins by the earlier spiritual leaders.
Pope Francis has been a keen spokesperson in recent years for bringing about reforms related to climate change, stopping the persecution of religious minorities, and better treatment of the world’s refugees
7. Bill Gates
Born on 28th October in the year 1955, Bill Gates is an American origin business magnate, investor, software developer, entrepreneur and now a full-time philanthropist. The co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, Bill Gates, has been acknowledged as the power behind the microcomputer revolution that took place in the 1970s and 80s.
Bill Gates with his wife, currently chair the most important private charitable foundation Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which works to improve global health and create equal opportunities for people all over the globe. His estimated net worth was 144 billion dollars in May 2021,
In May 2020, Bill Gates and his wife, through the Melinda Gates Foundation declared that they would be spending an estimated 300 million dollars in fighting the Coronavirus pandemic through funding related to detection, treatment, and vaccines.
8. Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud
The crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud enjoys immense power at both domestic and international levels. His father remains the king of Saudi Arabia, but he as the son is the real power and absolute authority behind the king and the throne.
Born on 31st August in the year 1985, Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud is the current deputy prime minister of his country and chairs several prominent positions like Defence as well as Political and Security Affairs.
He has restricted the powers of religious leaders, weakened the male guardianship system, and removed the ban on female drivers. The prince has gained immense popularity as he has lifted several economic sanctions and brought about numerous reforms in his country.
9. Narendra Modi
Born on 17th September in the year 1950, Narendra Damodardas Modi has emerged as a prominent figure in the world in recent years. He occupied the position of the Chief Minister of Gujarat from the years 2001 to 2014 and the Prime Minister of India from the year 2014 till now
Narendra Modi occupies a strong position in the worldwide arena because of high popularity amongst the masses. He unexpectedly announced plans to eliminate two of the largest banknotes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 to reduce money laundering. He is credited with the launching of the Sanitization campaign for the welfare of the common masses, especially those living in rural areas.
He has revoked Article 356 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and recently has emerged as a strong force in the international arena because of his efforts in fighting the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic.
10. Larry Page
Born on 26th March in the year 1973, Larry Page has gained popularity as the co-founder of Alphabet Inc, Google, and PageRank. He is also the founding investor in Planetary Resources, a space exploration company along with start-ups Kitty Hawk and Opener.
Larry Page is often described as an American origin internet entrepreneur and a brilliant computer scientist by other prominent business leaders
As per Forbes Larry Page is the 10th wealthiest person in the world with a net worth of 67.9 billion dollars in the year 2021 and has entered the list of the top 15 most powerful people in the world.
He is the recipient of the Marconi Prize in the year 2004 and has been declared The Most Daring CEO by Fortune magazine in the year 2014.
11. Jerome Powell
Born on 4th February in the year 1953, Jerome Powell currently occupies the top position as the 16th Chair of the Federal Reserve. He was nominated for this position in the year 2018 by the then President of the United States Donald J Trump.
In his early years, Jerome Powell worked in the field of investment banking and over the years has worked for a few of the significant financial institutions. As the current Fed Chief, he has been acknowledged as one of the topmost powerful people in the world. He holds the key to the largest economy in the world and has a say in running the printing presses for its reserve currency.
12. Emmanuel Macron
Born on 21st December in the year 1977, Emmanuel Macron has occupied the office of the President of France since the year 2017. He is the youngest President in French history to do so and occupies a spot in the list of top most powerful people in the world
As the leader of the third-largest economy in Europe, Emmanuel Macron is considered a powerful force. After coming to power, he has signed several labour reforms that are considered controversial by traditionalists. The companies have been given more power in the hiring as well as the firing of employees.
13. Mark Zuckerberg
With a net worth of 95 billion in the year 2021, Mark Zuckerberg has been acknowledged as one of the top 15 most powerful people in the world. Born on 14th May in the year 1984, the American has been described as an influential philanthropist along with a dominant media magnate and internet entrepreneur.
Mark Zuckerberg is the co-founder, CEO, controlling shareholder, and chairman of Facebook Inc. He has also been credited with Breakthrough Starshot, a solar sail spacecraft development project. He has been actively involved in philanthropy activities through The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
14. Theresa May
Theresa May has the distinction of being the second female Prime Minister of Britain from the year 2016 to 2019. She has also served as a Leader of Conservative Party, Home Secretary, Chairwoman of Conservative party and the Minister for Women and Equalities
Theresa May is acknowledged as a leader who took some tough calls during her stay at Downing Street. She mapped out the policy for Brexit negotiations that started the process of the United Kingdom withdrawing from the European Union, implemented the NHS Long-Term Plan, and amended the Climate Change Act 2008. During her tenure Unemployment was at record lows since 1975
15. Li Keqiang
Born in the year 1955, Li Keqiang has slowly and steadily climbed the ladder of success over the years. The Chinese politician is an economist by profession and since the year 2013 has assumed the post of the head of government of China. He is said to be quite close to the Xi Jinping
Li Keqiang has been a prominent figure in the political scenario of his country and is behind important decisions regarding Foreign Affairs, Economic Affairs, Financial Affairs, and National Security. He has been actively involved in implementing numerous reforms for the betterment of the people and has been acknowledged as one of the most influential leaders China has ever seen.
As per Forbes, Other most Powerful People in the world from rank 16 to 30 are
- Warren Buffett
- Ali Hoseini-Khamenei
- Mario Draghi
- Jamie Dimon
- Carlos Slim Helu
- Jack Ma
- Christine Lagarde
- Doug McMillon
- Tim Cook
- Elon Musk
- Benjamin Netanyahu
- Ma Huateng
- Larry Fink
- Akio Toyoda
- John L. Flannery
Conclusion
The list related to the world’s most powerful people puts the focus on fields like politics, companies, entertainment, sports, education, etc.
They are prominent individuals who have yielded unimaginable influence on the world, and their contribution has been nothing short of spectacular.
