The Most Influential Women Of 2021
UPDATED: Check out the most influential women of 2022!
We've finally made it to 2021, and it's shaping up to be a year full of women of impact. Influential women can be found leading us this year in politics, business, sports, entertainment, philanthropy, science, environmental conservation and even in space!
Which women are taking over in 2021? For starters, the year has kicked off with new inspiring women leaders in the White House, including First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who has made history as the first female Vice President in the U.S. and first woman of color to hold the position. Astronaut Kayla Barron is another woman of impact set to make history, chosen by NASA to become the first woman to walk on the moon in just a few years.
Dominating in sports is tennis player Serena Williams who could potentially beat the record for most Grand Slam titles this year, and Naomi Osaka who is currently the reigning US Open champion winning her second US Open title in 2020. Greta Thunberg is amongst the most famous women in the world as she continues to bring attention to the world's environmental issues. The entertainment realm is packed full of women with influence such as Oprah, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Angelina Jolie, Billie Eilish, and Ariana Grande, that last of whom is currently the most followed woman on Instagram.
Who is the most impactful woman of 2021? Here is the list of the most influential women today who have made their mark in a positive way. Vote for the most inspirational women of 2021 and feel free to add female role models to the list who have had a positive impact in the world!
- 12-13-1989
- Birthplace: Reading, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter. She is known for narrative songs about her personal life, which have received widespread media coverage. Born and raised ...more - 07-17-1954
- Birthplace: Hamburg, Germany
Angela Dorothea Merkel (, German: [aŋˈɡeːla ˈmɛɐ̯kl̩]; née Kasner; born 17 July 1954) is a German politician serving as Chancellor of Germany since 2005. She served as the leader of the centre-right ...more - 01-19-1946
- Birthplace: Sevierville, Tennessee, United States of America
Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, actress, author, businesswoman, and humanitarian, known primarily for her work ...more - 01-17-1922
- Birthplace: Oak Park, Illinois, United States of America
Betty Marion White Ludden (January 17, 1922 – December 31, 2021) was an American actress and comedian. A pioneer of early television, with a career spanning seven decades, White was noted for her ...more - 12-18-2001
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA
Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell (born December 18, 2001), known professionally as Billie Eilish, is an American singer and songwriter signed to Interscope Records. Her first experience with ...more - 04-21-1926
- Birthplace: Mayfair, London, London, England
Elizabeth II (born 21 April 1926) is Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms.Elizabeth was born in London as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, later King George ...more - 7
Kayla Barron
1987-09-19- Birthplace: Pocatello, ID
Kayla Jane Barron (born September 19, 1987) is an American submarine warfare officer and NASA astronaut.
- 06-26-1993
- Birthplace: Boca Raton, Florida, USA
Ariana Grande (born June 26, 1993) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. A multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning recording artist, she is known for her wide vocal range, which critics have ...more - 03-28-1986
- Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (born March 28, 1986), known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She is known for her unconventionality, provocative work ...more - Olivia Isabel Rodrigo (born February 20, 2003) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She rose to prominence with her lead roles on the Disney television programmes Bizaardvark and High School ...more
- 09-26-1981
- Birthplace: Saginaw, Michigan, United States of America
Serena Jameka Williams (born September 26, 1981) is an American professional tennis player and former world No. 1. The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) ranked her world No. 1 in singles on eight ...more - 02-20-1988
- Birthplace: Saint Michael Parish, Barbados
Robyn Rihanna Fenty (born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, songwriter, record producer, businesswoman, fashion designer, actress and philanthropist. She is known for embracing various ...more - 01-03-1996Florence Pugh (born January 3, 1996) is an English actress. She made her professional acting debut in the mystery film The Falling (2014) and had her breakthrough with a leading role in the ...more
- 07-26-1980
- Birthplace: Hamilton, New Zealand
Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern (; born 26 July 1980) is a New Zealand politician serving since 26 October 2017 as the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand. She has also served as the Leader of the Labour ...more - 01-15-1971
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States of America
Regina Rene King (born January 15, 1971) is an American actress and director. She is the recipient of several awards, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and four acting Primetime Emmy ...more - 01-09-1982
- Birthplace: Royal Berkshire Hospital, United Kingdom
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton; 9 January 1982), is a member of the British royal family. Her husband, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, is expected to become ...more - 12-04-1973
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
Tyra Lynne Banks (born December 4, 1973), also known as BanX, is an American television personality, producer, businesswoman, actress, author, model, and occasional singer. Born in Inglewood, ...more - 18
Naomi Osaka
1997-10-16- Birthplace: Osaka, Japan
Naomi Osaka (born October 16, 1997) is a Japanese professional tennis player. Osaka has been ranked No. 1 by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), and is the first Asian player to hold the top ranking in singles.
- 08-04-1981
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (born Rachel Meghan Markle; August 4, 1981), is an American-born member of the British royal family and former actress. Markle was raised in Los Angeles, California and has ...more - 1988-04-27
- Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
Melissa Jefferson (born April 27, 1988), better known by her stage name Lizzo, is an American alternative hip hop artist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is a founding member of indie hip hop ...more - 212003-01-03
- Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Greta Ernman Thunberg (Swedish pronunciation: [²ɡreːta ²tʉːnbærj]; born 3 January 2003) is a Swedish schoolgirl climate activist who has been described as a role model for worldwide student activism. ...more - 10-21-1980
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States of America
Kimberly Noel Kardashian West (born October 21, 1980) is an American media personality, businesswoman, socialite, model and actress. West first gained media attention as a friend and stylist of Paris ...more - 08-10-1997
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
Kylie Kristen Jenner (born August 10, 1997) is an American media personality, model, businesswoman, and socialite. She has starred in the E! reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians ...more - 1995-02-15
- Birthplace: Bexar County, TX
Megan Jovon Ruth Pete (born February 15, 1995), known professionally as Megan Thee Stallion (pronounced "Megan the Stallion"), is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Originally from Houston, ...more - 09-18-1971
- Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Jada Pinkett Smith (born September 18, 1971) is an American actress, comedian, singer-songwriter, screenwriter and businesswoman. She began her acting career in 1990, with a guest appearance on the ...more