Women are some of the most powerful beings to work this earth—mystical, enchanting, courageous, a goddess. Let’s dig into the top five most influential women over this era. 

Starting with our Duchess of Success, can you even process the substantial expectations the Royal Family places on you? To say the least, that didn’t stop Prince Harry from falling in love.

Before meeting Harry, Meghan Markle was a beautiful, successful American actress and public figure known for her role in Suits. Her own platform increasingly advocated her vocal stance on racial equality, women’s rights, and mental health—topics the royal family doesn’t traditionally discuss publicly. As Markle has proven, she redefined traditional Royal family standards. 

The least important aspect of normal society revolves around age. Nowadays, it seems to be a trend to date someone within a good 3-10-year age gap; it’s hot. It’s different. Within the Royal Family, no woman has ever been older than the Prince. Markle is three years older than Harry, which surprises some, especially when it comes to having children; a woman’s time is sacred. 

Markle not only excels but also challenges the expectations of the English Royal Family. Markle comes from an intriguing family background of diversity and biracialism, as do I. She stands up to the expectations of all previous generations of women, especially being the first American woman in the Royal House. She embodies her personal belief in disregarding societal expectations, which not only allows her to break society but also grants her the power and authority she ascribes to herself. Now, she lives outside the Royal Family's castle, another deal-breaker that the Prince followed her footsteps to do so. That goes to show you, anything and everything is possible with self-sufficiency, ambition, and drive. Please give it up to Meghan Markle, Duchess of Success. 

Let’s look at Melinda Gates, the wife of global billionaire Bill Gates. She has significantly shaped global change. Given the scale of her impact, the resources she directs toward global change have reshaped conversations about gender, health, and opportunity. She has shaped global philanthropy as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, building the largest private philanthropic foundation in the world. 

Through this work, she has influenced global health by advancing solutions to prevent the emergence of new diseases, including vaccines, infectious disease prevention, and maternal health. Educational access and poverty reduction. She takes women’s empowerment initiatives worldwide. Her decisions have a literary impact on the lives of millions. She centers women and girls, making it a global priority. 

Through her own organization, Pivolta Ventures, she pivoted her investments to women in leadership, tech, reproductive health, and economic opportunities. Her influence does not stem solely from money, but from shifting the global conversation toward gender equity. Gates stands as an independent leader, pursuing her own visions and impact. Looking back at her influential book, such as The Moment of Life, it advocates for political support for families and girls, calling out systems that restrict women’s choices. Women have a rightful say in business and global development. This resonates with women around the world who see her as a symbol of both compassion and strength. 

Another businesswoman I value is Cindy Crawford, a model. Her blend of turning heads when she walks into a room also turned heads when people realized she has the brains to back it up, having graduated from Northwestern University. Her business acumen allowed her to build a powerful personal brand beyond modeling. Standing as a pop culture icon, a host of MTV’s House of Style, starring in the iconic 1992 Pepsi commercial, and releasing her fitness video before strategically launching her own successful business, including the Meaningful Beauty skincare line and the Cindy Crawford Home Collection. With over 1,000 magazine covers already to her credit, including the first issue of Vogue, her natural athletic look and down-to-earth personality have earned her broad appeal across demographics, helping her extend her career beyond the model lifespan. 

She’s known for her own hard work, professionalism, and transitioning into entrepreneurship. She’s the Co-founder of Meaningful Beauty, a skincare line for anti-aging products. This brand showcases its ability to adapt and thrive in the beauty industry. Crawford remains influential, engaging younger audiences online and sharing her experiences with beauty and aging. She can connect with audiences on a personal level, shape the fashion industry, and embrace her own beauty while pursuing her most desired dreams. 

I’m the One [for you] Justin Bieber sang to Hailey Bieber, another model, television personality, and entrepreneur known for her work in the fashion industry and her marriage to pop star Justin Bieber. Hailey began her modeling career singing with Ford models, gaining quick recognition. She’s also known for runway walks for Dlce & Gabanna, Versace, and Tommy Hilfiger, as well as in magazines like Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar. 

We all love Rhode skin care products as she is the founder and creative director of Rhode. Her brand quickly gained recognition and was acquired by e.l.f. Beauty for $1 billion in 2025. Bieber's personalized brand and authenticity have played a vital role in the brand’s viral success, resonating with a worldwide audience. Her marketing strategies emphasize trust and simplicity, showcasing Rhode as a trustworthy brand that attracts consumers who value authenticity and quality. Bieber’s journey from a model to a successful entrepreneur demonstrated her versatility and persistence in a competitive market. 

Last but not least, J.Lo takes the floor as her primary influence. Known for her multifaceted platform as a singer, dancer, actress, and businesswoman, she is regarded as one of the most influential entertainers. Lopez, after Selena, stands as a Latina superstar helping celebrate Latino culture. Before her success, Lopez grew up in the Bronx with a happy family of six in a modest-sized home. Unlike other Hollywood stars, J.Lo rose from success on her own without inheritance.

Her early aspirations for fame led her to perform My Little Girl (1986), a drama about a wealthy socialite, "Fly Girls" in 1990, and later Angels Eyes, pairing her with respected actors such as George Clooney, Sean Penn, and Matthew McConaughey. Later on, in the late 90s, her music career flourished. After her debut album, “On the 6,” she sold more than eight million copies worldwide. Shortly after, she released banger songs such as "Let's Get It On" and "Waiting for Tonight.”

Even after Lopez separated from her romantic partner, Ben Affleck, she pursued numerous business projects, including launching a fashion brand, a fragrance line, and a skin care line. Her independence facilitated her success in several fields. Her business ventures, including her clothing line JLo, fragrance line Glow, and makeup products JLO Beauty, have not only expanded her brands but also her net worth. She currently ranks among the most self-made women with a net worth exceeding $150 million, according to Forbes. Lopez told Forbes, “I am the scarce asset — somebody who is a proven creator, artist and entrepreneur who can really connect with people,” she said. 

From 2011-12 to 2014-2016, she served as an American Idol judge, even working with ex-husband Mark Anthony as producer and host of the TV Program iQ'Viva!: The Chosen (2012), a talent competition for Latin American performers. JLo really does not let anybody get in the way of her success. 

Recently, she’s been known for her Super Bowl performances, during which she even sings the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish at the end, dedicating herself to Spanish communities. The embodiment of her identity and background helped her reach her full potential worldwide. 

All these beautiful women stand out in the 2000s as remarkable women in history. All women are different yet similar in the way they present themselves through persistence, determination, and individuality. These women serve as role models, staying true to themselves and reaching their goals, and they definitely embody and encourage success for young women today.

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