Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen, left and Colombian actress Sofia Vergara, are two of the seven powerful Latinas in the world, according to Forbes. (Photo: Shutterstock)
It doesn’t only take beauty and a good sense of fashion to make it big in the business. In fact, it pays off more to be knowledgeable, hard-working and determined. That’s why some Latinas have been recognized for their reputed careers.
Forbes has released their annual “The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women” list and among the promising lineup are seven renowned Latina figures under the public eye.
SEE ALSO: The year of Latina Power
From politicians to models and businesswomen to celebrities, here are the most powerful Latinas in the world for 2014.
7 Latinas with power
1) Dilma Rousseff • Rank: #4
Brazil’s president, Dilma Rousseff (Photo: AP/Eraldo Peres)
The top Latina woman is Brazil’s president Dilma Rousseff who ranked fourth place on this year’s list, topping Hillary Clinton (#6) and Michelle Obama (#8). Rousseff, 66, is more than halfway through her term in the world’s seventh-largest national economy with a GDP of nearly $2.4 trillion. Brazil also home to the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016.
2) Maria das Gracas Silva Foster • Rank: #16
CEO Petrobas, Maria das Gracas Foster (Photo: Petrobras/Steferson Faria)
Another Brazilian that ranked high on the list is CEO of Petrobas, Maria das Gracas Silva Foster. The 60-year-old born in Rio de Janeiro, is the first female CEO of Petrobras, Brazil’s oil and gas behemoth. She also has three Master degrees.
3) Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner • Rank: #19
Argentina’s president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (Photo: AP/Eduardo Di Baia)
Argentina’s president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner shortly follows ranking at #19. Kirchner, 61, legalized same-sex marriage in 2010, and in April announced she’ll be godmother to a lesbian couple’s child; they made the ask on Facebook.
4) Michelle Bachelet • Rank: #25
Chile’s president, Michelle Bachelet (Photo: AP/Luis Hidalgo)
Michelle Bachelet, 61, ranked quite high at #25. The Chilean president took office in March with 62 percent of the vote, and is founding executive director of UN Women. Bachelet is also an MD from the University of Chile. She is a pediatrician and a former minister of health and national defense
5) Sofia Vergara • Rank: #32
Colombian actress, Sofia Vergara (Photo: Victoria Will/Invision/AP)
The lovely and funny Sofia Vergara ranked #32 in Forbe’s listing. Why? Because the Colombian star is the highest-paid actor on television, with an impressive earning of $30 million as of June last year. The 41-year-old “Modern Family” actress is also a dedicated entrepreneur.
SEE ALSO: 4 Latinas invade US television this year
6) Shakira Mebarak • Rank: #58
Colombian singer, Shakira (Photo: AP/Tara Todras-Whitehill)
Her fellow countrymen, Shakira, is ranked at #58. In addition to being a musician, she’s also a philanthropist, the most liked artist on Facebook, and one of the most powerful moms in the world. The 37-year-old is also a UNICEF ambassador and founder of the Barefoot Foundation, which she established at age 18 to provide early education systems around the world.
7) Gisele Bundchen • Rank: #89
Supermodel, Gisele Bundchen (Photo: AP/Miguel Villagran)
For the seventh year in a row Gisele Bundchen of Brazil is the world’s highest-paid model with an earning of $42 million last year. Bundchen, 33, is the face of big companies such as H&M, Chanel and Pantene. Not only does she know how to strut the runway, but she’s also an entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Beyonce, Queen Elizabeth III, Michele Obama and Lady Gaga also made the cut, find out who are the other 93 most powerful women of the year.
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The 7 most powerful Latinas in the world was originally published on zonadesabor.com
