Forbes' Most Powerful Women 2011

Forbes has released its annual ranking of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel earned the top spot. According to the magazine, the women on this year's list were chosen "not just for being on top but for being smack in the middle of Richter-registering events and more."

Here, she poses for photographers on the bridge during an open house day at the Chancellery on Aug. 21, 2011 in Berlin.

Keep clicking to see some of the other women who made the list.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives at an event at the National Defense University in Washington Aug. 16, 2011. — AFP/Getty Images

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton came in second place on Forbes' list. Here, she arrives at an event at the National Defense University in Washington on Aug. 16, 2011.

Lady Gaga came in eighth place on Forbes' World's 100 Most Powerful Women list. Here, she attends the MTV Video Music Aid Japan Press Conference on June 23, 2011, in Tokyo.

First Lady Michelle Obama earned the No. 8 spot on Forbes' Most Powerful Women list. Here, Mrs. Obama poses before a State Dinner for Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany, at the White House on June 7, 2011, in Washington.

Republican presidential hopeful Rep. Michele Bachmann earned the No. 22 spot on the Most Powerful Women list. Here, she speaks at a rally on Aug. 19, 2011, in Mt Pleasant, S.C.

Actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie came in 29th on Forbes' annual list. Here, she attends the "Kung Fu Panda 2" photocall during the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 2011, in France.

oprah_120064647(2).jpg — Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Oprah Winfrey was given the No. 14 spot on the Forbes list. Here, Winfrey speaks during the "The Rosie Show" panel during the OWN portion of the 2011 Summer TCA Tour on July 28, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen came in 60th on Forbes annual list. Here,she arrives at the taping of "TV Land Presents: AFI Life Achievement Award Honoring Morgan Freeman" in Culver City, Calif., June 9, 2011.

Queen Elizabeth II is No. 49 on Forbes' ranking on the World's 100 Most Powerful Women. Here, the monarch leaves Buckingham Palace on her way to the Trooping the Colour ceremony to mark her official birthday, in London, June 11, 2011.

Ellen DeGeneres earned the No. 55 spot on Forbes' World's 100 Most Powerful Women list. Here, she accepts the award for choice comedian onstage at the Teen Choice Awards on Aug. 7, 2011, in Universal City, Calif.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin earned the No. 34 spot on Forbes' annual World's 100 Most Powerful Women list. Here, she greets visitors at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa, Aug. 12, 2011.

Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour earned the No. 69 spot on Forbes' World's 100 Most Powerful Women list. Here, she attends the world premiere of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" at Trafalgar Square on July 7, 2011, in London.

Beyonce earned the No. 18 spot on Forbes' annual ranking. Here, she performs on ABC's "Good Morning America" on July 1, 2011, in New York.

Designer Diane von Furstenberg earned the 91st spot on Forbes' Most Powerful Women list. Here, she and Barry Diller arrive at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala on May 2, 2011, in New York.

"Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling ranked 61st on Forbes' Most Powerful Women list. Here, she arrives for the British Academy of Film Awards in London on Feb. 13, 2011.

Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan earned the No. 53 spot on Forbes' Most Powerful Women list. Here, she attends a pep rally for the "Girl Up" United Nations Foundation Campaign on Nov. 5, 2010, in Los Angeles.

ABC "World News" anchor Diane Sawyer earned the No. 47 spot on the Most Powerful Women list. Here, she talks with House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, as he walks to his office in the U.S. Capitol, on Aug. 1, 2011, in Washington.

Arianna Huffington, president and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post Media Group, was given the 31st spot on Forbes' list. Here, she attends the opening night premiere of "The Union" at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival on April 21, 2011, in New York.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was given the 52nd spot on the Most Powerful Women list. Here, she gestures while speaking on Capitol Hill on July 8, 2011, in Washington, to discuss the debt ceiling.

Brazils's President Dilma Rousseff came in third on the Most Powerful Women list. Here, she delivers a speech during the opening of the Preliminary Draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, on July 30, 2011, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.