Who are Forbes' 10 most powerful women?

Every year, Forbes releases a list of the world’s most powerful woman, influential in everything from politics to technology to culture.

6. Melinda Gates, cofounder and cochair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Ann Hermes/Staff
Melinda Gates.

Mrs. Gates and her husband, Bill, are at the head of the world’s wealthiest private foundation, which invests in a wide variety of charitable project targeting poverty, public health, and education. In 2010 alone, the foundation donated $2.5 billion to various projects. Bill Gates is No. 10 on this year’s list of most powerful people, which includes both genders.

In 2010, Melinda Gates was No. 27 on the women’s list.

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