8 most influential women

Women have been at the helm of affairs of their country for several generations, but in the 20th century the number of famous women leaders to increase manifold. 8 women are listed below led the country through times of turbulence and peace.

1. Indira Gandhi - Prime Minister of India

Born to India's politically influential Nehru family, he was India's first woman Prime Minister. Hard-nosed pragmatist, he ruled the country with firmness and determination, hard and take tough decisions when necessary. He was killed by two guards himself in 1984.


2. Margaret Thatcher - Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Dubbed the "Iron Lady" for her tough stance against the former Soviet Union, he led the country through the recession and high unemployment rate into a period of relative prosperity, and increase in stature among the nations. He was the first woman to lead a major political party in the United Kingdom.

3. Benazir Bhutto - Prime Minister of Pakistan

Daughter of Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the country he ruled from 1988-1990, and 1993-1996. He was assassinated in 2007, during the election campaign. It is widely expected that he will continue to be the Prime Minister's third term notes.

4. Corazon Aquino - President of the Philippines

Asia's first woman president, she was a novice when he was elected president shortly after the assassination of her husband. He is a strong supporter of women's rights and democracy as opposed to the dictatorial rule of Ferdinand Marcos.

5. Sonia Gandhi - India's Congress Party Leader

It is believed by many to be the power behind the throne, he did not hold political office, but state regulations. Italy's birth, he adopted India as his country after her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi. He has been nominated as the third most powerful woman in the world.

6. Eva Perón - wife of President of Argentina

The second wife of President Juan Peron, she was a very strong woman, because the effects on her husband, and fight for the rights of the poor and the women of Argentina. He ran the Department of Health and Labor, and found the woman's first major political parties in the country.

7. Golda Meir - Prime Minister of Israel

Referred to as "the best in the Cabinet" by Daivd Ben Gurion, he was the fourth Prime Minister of Israel. The crisis is largest during the period of 1973 Yom Kippur War, where he made the decision to avoid pre-emptive attack, which gained approval from the greatest ally, the United States.

8. Sirimavo Bandarnaike - Prime Minister of Sri Lanka

The first woman in the world to become Prime Minister of a country, he rules Sri Lanka three times, 1960-1965, 1970-1977 and 1994 to 2000. He is the head of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party for 40 years until his death. His term saw the country to see through the good and bad times, and during the last semester he was more popular abroad than he did in his own country.