Who is the most influential woman in history?
Asked by: Mertie Kuhlman | Last update: March 30, 2026Score: 5/5 (54 votes)
Virgin Mary, 1st-century BC–1st-century AD The mother of Jesus, Mary is venerated by both Christians and Muslims, and is probably the most famous woman in history.
Who was the most remarkable woman?
There's no single "most" remarkable woman, as it's subjective, but many historical figures like Marie Curie (pioneering scientist), Harriet Tubman (abolitionist), Rosa Parks (civil rights icon), Joan of Arc (French heroine), and modern figures like Malala Yousafzai (activist) are frequently cited for their profound impact on science, human rights, and society, each inspiring through breaking barriers in their fields.
Who are the 10 most influential people in history?
The 100 Most Influential People Of All Time
- Jesus Christ.
- Napoléon Bonaparte. Writer Le mémorial de Sainte-Hélène (1911) ...
- Muhammad. Muhammad was born in 570 in Mecca, Arabia [now Saudi Arabia]. ...
- William Shakespeare. Writer. ...
- Abraham Lincoln. Writer. ...
- George Washington. ...
- Adolf Hitler. ...
- Aristotle.
Who is the most powerful woman in the world?
Logo of Forbes magazine Angela Merkel has been ranked the most powerful woman 14 times.
Who is the biggest female icon?
The biggest female icons span various fields like entertainment (Marilyn Monroe, Beyoncé, Audrey Hepburn), politics/activism (Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt, Princess Diana), and science (Marie Curie), recognized for their lasting impact on culture, style, and history, often celebrated for talent, influence, and breaking barriers. While Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn dominate classic Hollywood, modern icons like Beyoncé and Oprah Winfrey hold significant cultural sway, alongside trailblazers like Marie Curie and activists like Malala Yousafzai.
25 Most Important Women in History
What woman changed the world the most?
Marie Curie, 1867–1934
Marie Curie changed the world not once but twice. She founded the new science of radioactivity – even the word was invented by her – and her discoveries launched effective cures for cancer.
Who is the most inspiring woman ever?
10 Most Inspirational Women
- Oprah Winfrey. ...
- Greta Thunberg. ...
- Marie Curie. ...
- Rosa Parks. ...
- Melinda Gates. ...
- The Kardashians. ...
- Princess Diana. ...
- Sarra Bejaoui. Of course, we must mention our fearless leader, Sarra Bejaoui as number 10 in our list of the most inspirational women.
Who is the greatest female leader ever?
Here is our list of great female leaders in history.
- Mary Wollstonecraft | Author | 1759-1797. ...
- Queen Elizabeth I | Queen of England | 1533-1603. ...
- Katherine Graham | Publisher, Chairwoman of the Board, CEO | 1917-2001. ...
- Hatshepsut | Queen/Pharaoh | 1508 BCE – 1458 BCE. ...
- Elizabeth Blackwell | Medical Doctor | 1821 – 1910.
Who is a female role model?
Eleanor Roosevelt
Dubbed the “First Lady of the World,” she fought tirelessly for women's and African Americans' rights. As a Female role model, she inspired countless women worldwide to pursue their dreams and strive for equality.
Who is the top 10 most powerful?
The top 10 most powerful countries by military strength in 2025, according to the Global Firepower Index, are:
- United States.
- Russia.
- China.
- India.
- United Kingdom.
- South Korea.
- France.
- Japan.
What historical figure is most misunderstood?
Thanks to Disney, Pocahontas is perhaps one of the world's most misunderstood historical figures. She was born in 1596 under the name Ammonite (she also had the more private name Matoaka), and the name Pocahontas was actually her nickname.
Who is a famous woman in history?
Women's History is more than the sum of its outstanding players: Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, Sacagawea, Helen Keller, Amelia Earhart, et al. These women enjoy a firm place in society's collective consciousness. As cultural icons, they represent firsts or standouts.
Who is the remarkable woman of the year 2025?
Kim Carter-Tillman, founder of the Time for Change Foundation, a non-profit organization she founded that has helped more than 4,800 women across the nation rebuild their lives with dignity and strength, has been named the “2025 Remarkable Woman of the Year.”
Who was the most impactful queen?
THE VIRGIN QUEEN: ELIZABETH I
Elizabeth took the throne of a deeply divided nation after her siblings Edward and Mary died. The Protestant queen allowed Catholics to continue with their faith so long as they were discrete and remained loyal. Peace and prosperity followed and English culture flourished.
Who is the most powerful woman of all time?
The most powerful women in history
- Empress Dowager Cixi. Between 1861 and 1908, Empress Dowager Cixi dominated China's Qing dynasty. ...
- Catherine the Great. ...
- Zenobia. ...
- Maria Theresa. ...
- Nefertiti. ...
- Margaret Thatcher.
Who is today's most inspiring woman?
10 inspirational women who are changing the world
- Malala Yousafzai. ...
- Greta Thunberg. ...
- Judith Heumann. ...
- Janet Mock. ...
- Amanda Gorman. ...
- Hannah Cockroft OBE. ...
- Dolly Parton. Dolly Parton is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actress, author, businesswoman and humanitarian known for her country music. ...
- Amika George MBE.
Who are 5 positive role models?
Five positive role models, known for qualities like resilience, integrity, and compassion, include Malala Yousafzai (education advocate), Nelson Mandela (anti-apartheid leader), Michelle Obama (former First Lady/advocate), Jane Goodall (anthropologist/activist), and everyday figures like a dedicated teacher, mentor, or family member, demonstrating that role models come from all walks of life.
Who is the bravest woman in history?
There's no single "most courageous" woman, as courage manifests differently, but Harriet Tubman (abolitionist, spy, nurse) and Irena Sendler (rescued 2,500 Jewish children from the Holocaust) are often cited for extraordinary bravery against overwhelming odds, alongside figures like Joan of Arc, Rani Lakshmibai, Amelia Earhart, and Florence Nightingale, each embodying incredible fortitude in war, social justice, or exploration.
Who is a strong woman?
Strong women stand up for what they believe in. They do not watch others get bullied. Instead, they take action. Mentally strong women advocate for themselves and for others by displaying good morality and values in their everyday lives.
Who is a history-making woman that inspires you?
Marie Curie (1867-1934)
Not only was French and Polish physicist and chemist Marie Curie the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, but she also won the award twice (and is the only woman to do that, too). Curie discovered the elements radium and polonium, which became monumental in research for cancer treatment and cures.
Which woman has had the biggest impact on world history?
Important women who changed history
- Cleopatra (69 BC – 30 BC) The last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt wasn't a man but a woman. ...
- Hypatia (between 355 and 370-415) ...
- Ada Lovelace (1815-1852) ...
- Marie Curie (1867-1934) ...
- Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) ...
- Clara Campoamor (1888-1972) ...
- Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986) ...
- Rosa Parks (1913-2005)
Who is the most remarkable woman?
There's no single "most" remarkable woman, as it's subjective, but many historical figures like Marie Curie (pioneering scientist), Harriet Tubman (abolitionist), Rosa Parks (civil rights icon), Joan of Arc (French heroine), and modern figures like Malala Yousafzai (activist) are frequently cited for their profound impact on science, human rights, and society, each inspiring through breaking barriers in their fields.
Who is the most famous woman alive today?
The 21st Century Most Influential Women
- Malala Yousafzai. Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist, who continues to fight for educational rights and gender equality. ...
- Angela Merkel. ...
- Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier. ...
- Greta Thunberg. ...
- Ruth Bader Ginsberg. ...
- Serena Williams. ...
- Oprah Winfrey. ...
- Tawakkol Karman.