The Top 50 Most Popular Women Around the World Today

This article contains a list of the 50 most popular women globally. 

From Hollywood to the House of Representatives, women today demonstrate their influence in the world.

There is still a pay gap between men and women in 2021 and a pay gap between various racial groups.

Thanks to #MeToo and Time’s Up initiatives, women are more powerful than ever, despite these trends.

The following women have all earned a massive influence in their respective fields. Let’s take a look at a few examples below. The most influential women in the world can inspire you to make your mark on Earth.

Top 50 Most Popular Women on the Internet

1. Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Gail Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi. She was one of the 50 most popular women in the world. She deserved the top spot as a teenage mother living in poverty gave birth to her.

The well-known American actress and talk show host has graced T.V. screens as a news anchor for the past fifty years. Besides the Jean Hersholt award, she was also given the Bob Hope award.

She is also a television producer and is the wealthiest black woman globally. Oprah has also featured in several blockbuster films.

2. Cher

Born on May 20, 1946, in El Centro, California, United States America, Cher is an American singer, actress, and the media often refers to her as the Goddess of Pop.

Despite her consistency in the entertainment industry, Cher has won some awards.

For instance, she has received an Oscar, Grammy, Cannes Film Festival award, three Golden Globe awards, and an Emmy at different times in her successful career, which enlisted her to count as one of the 50 most popular women globally.

3. Rihanna

Rihanna is undoubtedly one of the best-selling singers and the most adored female celebrities. With more than 25 million records around the globe, Rihanna is one of the most loved American media personalities, with 31 top-ten singles in the United States, 14 number-one singles, and 30 top-ten singles in the United Kingdom.

Together with marking herself among the 50 most popular women, she has also won more than 10 American Music Awards, nine Grammy Awards, 6 Guinness World Records, and twelve Billboard Music Awards. In 2019, she was attributed as the wealthiest female musician, with a cumulative net worth of $600 million.

 4.  Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson began her career starring in unusual films like ‘Lost in Translation’ and ‘Her.’ The 201s saw the multinational heartthrob, Scarlett Johansson, ascend to the top of Google searches for her role as Black Widow in the Marvel, making her the most famous woman in the internet. Scarlett Johansson has been on the list of the highest-paid actress including 50 most popular women globally ever since.

5.  Lana Del Ray

Lana Del Ray has earned her name in the list of 50 most popular women globally due to significant acclaim for her singing and songwriting skills. Her music is known for its dark and gloomy themes and has been on top of the music charts several times.

6. Lady Gaga

With over 125 million records sold globally, Lady Gaga is one of the world’s best-selling music artists in the music industry and one of the highest-earning female pop singers of the 2010s. One of the most famous women on the internet, Lady Gaga has set numerous Guinness World Records and earned 11 Grammy Awards.

Lady Gaga was ranked fourth on VH1’s Greatest Women in Music in 2012 and second on time’s 2011 readers’ poll of the most popular women. Lady Gaga also has her non-profit organization Born This Way Foundation, which focuses on empowering youngsters, promoting mental health, and curbing bullying and so she deserves to be counted in the list 50 most popular women globally.

7. Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold over 50 million albums and 150 million singles globally. Taylor Swift, an American pop and country music artist, has ten Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, and seven Guinness World Records.

She is the most-awarded American actress at the American Music Awards and the Billboard Music Awards. One of the 50 most popular women on the internet, Taylor Swift, was titled the woman of the decade (the 2010s) by Billboard and the Artist of the Decade (2010s) by the American Music Awards.

8. Justin Bieber

Google search results, sporting some surprises, show Justin Bieber comes in at No. 7 in the list of 50 most popular women globally. A controversy arose because Justin Bieber was ranked 7th most popular woman globally by the majority of the websites worldwide.

9.  Britney Spears

Pop and fashion icon Britney Spears, one of the 50 most popular women on the internet, rose to stardom in the late-90s as the most successful American media personality of that era.

Britney Spears is a talented pop singer and has sold over 100 million records worldwide. Britney Spears went through a career recession from the mid-2000s to the mid-2010s but came back with a boom in 2016 after her album Glory.

10. Selena Gomez

American actress, American singer, voice actress, composer, poetess, designer, model, and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, Selena Gomez first saw fame as the lead in the Disney Television show “Wizards of Waverly Place” .

Selena Gomez, one of the most popular music artists, embarked on a highly successful music career,and got marked in the list of 50 most popular women globally selling over 7 million albums and 22 million singles .

11. Adele

One of the 50 most popular women and a famous singers of the 2010s, Adele holds the Guinness Book of World Records of best-selling artist of the 21st century. She was ranked as the 5th greatest woman in music by VH1 in 2012 and is listed twice as one of the most influential women on the Earth.

12.  Kendall Jenner

Kendall Jenner is an American fashion model and reality star in the fashion world. She is better known for her appearance in Keeping Up With The Kardashians. On November 3, 1995, she was born in California and became an international fashion guru in the fashion world.

13. Madonna

Madonna’s impact on pop music and culture goes back to the early 1980s when she became a mainstay on the charts and was one of the highest-paid actresses.

Madonna has had a triumphant 40-year career that has seen her be crowned the Queen of Pop, earning numerous awards, and is listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the best-selling female artist of all time with a massive 300 million records sold globally.

Madonna, one of the most famous women of the century, was ranked one of the most incredible music video artists of all time by Billboard.

14.  Beyoncé

One of the world’s most noteworthy female pop singers of the past two decades, Beyoncé is not only one of 50 most popular women but also one of the world’s most successful music artists, having sold over 100 million records globally. She is the Grammy Award’s most nominated artist in history and holds the record for 24 wins. She has won twelve bet awards to date.

15. Vanessa Hudgens

Shooting up to fame after her work in the High School Musical series, Vanessa Hudgens is presently a well-respected actress and singer, releasing her debut studio album “V” in 2006. She has since starred in multiple movies and Broadway plays and has a decent singing career.

16. Jennifer Lopez

On July 24, 1969, Jennifer Lopez was born in New York, United States of America. She has worked in various films and has also launched singing albums alongside. Jennifer Lopez is one of the most successful Latin artists. Jennifer Lopez also became the first Latin actress who charged $1 Million for a movie.

Nonetheless, not many people know that Jennifer Lopez was good at sports in her college days.

17. Katy Perry

On October 25, 1984, Katheryn Hudson was born in California, the United States of America. Katy Perry was active in the music industry since 2000 but rose to fame later in 2008 with her album known as One of the Boys.

The people well received Katy Perry’s three subsequent albums, and she became one of the 50 popular women in the world. Katy Perry has over 113 Million followers on Instagram, and her Net Worth is estimated to be more than$300 Million.

18. Kesha

Born as Kesha Rose, Kesha detonated into the music scene with hits like “Right Round.” Her debut album across-the-board outlines back in 2010, yet it was her life drama, including her legit problems with a harsh director and a studio that tried to manipulate her, transforming her into motivation for women.

19. Shakira

Shakira Ripoll, Shakira is viewed as the avant-garde Queen of Latin Music, getting several accolades, including three Grammy Awards, twelve Latin Grammy Awards, 4 MTV Video Music Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, 39 Billboard Latin Music Awards, many Guinness World Records, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 2018, Shakira turned into the top-of-the-line Latin singer in the history of Latin singers.

20. Kim Kardashian West

She is talking about the popularity of Kim Kardashian West. On October 21, 1980, Kim Kardashian was born in Los Angeles, United States of America. She has 200M followers on Instagram.

Besides, she launched KKW Fragrance and KKW beauty; Kim K. also has her clothing line. She has also acted in some incredible movies. Presently, Kim Kardashian’s Net Worth is around $780 Million.

21. Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj is one of the most noteworthy and loved rap artists. She has sold over 100 million records globally, and won six American Music Awards, twelve BET Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, and four Billboard Music Awards in just the last ten years alone.

22.  Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus was brought into the world on November 23, 1992; in Tennessee, U.S. Interestingly, her parents named her Miley Cyrus after her nickname Smiley because she smiled a lot when she was a kid.

Miley Cyrus is remembered for her role as ‘Hannah Montana.’ In the last years, Miley Cyrus changed from an American teen actress to a leading pop singer, becoming a pop music icon and a mentor of the music reality show ‘The Voice.’

23. Angelina Jolie

American actress, model, voice actress, and philanthropist Angelina Jolie is considered by many to be the embodiment of elegance, beauty, and talent. Angelina Jolie became a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador in 2001, a position she actively worked for until 2012. She has earned various acting awards and is famous for her substantial filmography and philanthropic work. Angelina Jolie is also one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood.

Impact of #MeToo and Time’s Up on Workplace Dynamics and Policies: An Insight

Gianluca Ferruggia, the General Manager of DesignRush, a leading B2B Marketplace, shares their views:

“I’ve witnessed the transformative role of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements in altering workplace cultures worldwide. These movements have reshaped narratives around women’s empowerment, especially in corporate settings, by fostering an environment where more women feel empowered to speak up about their experiences. 

For instance, numerous businesses, including ours, have crafted stringent, zero-tolerance policies against sexual harassment and have actively invested in educating employees through mandatory workshops about appropriate workplace conduct.

Besides, there has been an increased emphasis on diversity, equality, and inclusion initiatives, with businesses being more sensitive while hiring, promoting, or rewarding staff.

Lastly, these movements have pushed companies to install more accessible and transparent reporting mechanisms to handle complaints, ensuring a safer and more respectful work environment. 

While there is still a long journey ahead, there’s no doubt these movements have served as catalysts for positive change in the corporate world.”

24. Paris Hilton

Paris Whitney Hilton belongs to an affluent family as she is the granddaughter of Conrad Hilton, the founder of Hilton Hotels.

Paris Hilton began her vocation as a model in New York. Paris Hilton was recognized because of the album released in 2006, Paris. However, Paris Hilton has a very infamous personal life, and in 2012 Forbes listed Paris Hilton as the most overexposed star.

25. Emma Watson

Emma Watson enlisted as the planet’s highest-paid actress  and was elected as the United Nations Goodwill Ambassador. Emma Watson was also among the 50 most popular women in the world.

Besides, everyone knows of the most famous Harry Potter series, and she has acted in every movie of this franchise as Hermione Granger, through which she gained immense popularity.

26. 50 Most Popular Women: Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson started her career in the late ’90s; Jessica Simpson became a household name when she starred in her reality T.V. show called Newlyweds with then-husband Nick Lachey. Jessica Simpson also featured in a few films during that time, and while her career slumped in the 2010s, she still was among the most searched and part of 50 most popular women on the internet.

27. Megan Fox

Rising to fame after her part in the “Transformers” series, Megan Fox has gone on to find significant praise in self-reliant films like ‘Jennifer’s Body’ and ‘Zeriville.’ She’s also a creative model and a sex icon thanks to her work with Maxim, Vogue, and FHM.

28. Hillary Clinton

An American political giant, Hillary Clinton shot to fame as the first wife of then-President Bill Clinton. Hillary Clinton has attended to the American folks as a Senator and as a Secretary of State.

Hilary Clinton ran against Barack Obama in the 2008 Presidential pursuit and 2016 against Donald Trump. She is an advocate for several public programs, known mainly for her interest in funding the educational necessities of poor girls in the U.S.

29.  Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama is more than just a former First Lady: Michelle Obama is a master lawyer, and an advocate for numerous public programs. Michelle Obama is one of the most influential and iconic role models women have had over the last ten years.

After Barack Obama’s stint as the most influential man in the world, Michelle Obama began her career as a writer and speaker, touring the nation, giving speaking engagements, and putting her book “Becoming” by Michelle Obama at the top of the New York Times Best Seller’s list.

30. Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton, The Duchess of Cambridge, became famous when she and Prince William started dating, with the two captivating the world with their fairytale courtship. Kate Middleton officially became the Duchess of Cambridge with her wedding to Prince William. Apart from her royal obligations, the Duchess is also a style icon, encouraging thousands of women with her elegant yet powerful wardrobe choices.

31. Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston became famous as ‘Rachel’ on Friends in the mid-90s. She continued to be a popular and the best actress throughout the 2000s and 2010s, starring in numerous movies and has been a mainstay in various “top celebrity” and “50 most popular women” lists at global level.

32.  Ellen DeGeneres

Better known as Ms. Funny Bones of Hollywood and has been the host of the longest-running talk show “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Ellen DeGeneres had hosted the Academy Awards and posted a record-breaking selfie from the occasion. The key zenith of her career was when the then-American President Barack Obama awarded her the “Presidential Award of Freedom.”

33. Kylie Jenner

The list of 50 most popular women would be incomplete without the mention of the fashion icon of the youth, Kylie Jenner. Presently, the youngest billionaire on the Earth, Kylie Jenner, saw stardom with her sisters featuring in the show “Keeping Up with Kardashians.” However, she has built her dominion of cosmetics called ‘Kylie Cosmetics.’

She is among some very popular women on the internet and the second most followed woman megastar on Instagram with 201.6 million followers.

34.  Mariah  Carey

She has been ruling the music industry for the past three decades. One of the  50 most popular women globally and celebrated musical artists, Mariah Carey, aced the Billboard-topping hits almost every year she released a music album. Mariah Carey has a successful singing career and is also one of the wealthiest artists.

35. Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding one of the 50 most popular women won over pop music fans with her debut album, Lights back, with a highly successful career as a singer, songwriter, and composer. She’s been at the forefront of the EDM scene and an advocate of mental health problems, with the singing often encouraging her fans to take care of their mental health.

36. Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker is an excellent and famous American actress and producer. Sara Jessica Parker is recognized for her part as Carrie Bradshaw on the HBO television series Sex and the City, for which she earned four Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.

How Have #MeToo and Time’s Up Shaped Women’s Empowerment Narratives? Expert Opinion!

C.L. Mike Schmidt, Lawyer at Schmidt & Clark LLP, offers legal insights into the changing workplace culture:

“The #MeToo and Time’s Up movements have significantly impacted cases involving sexual harassment and gender discrimination.

These initiatives have created a heightened awareness and sensitivity to [issues] of workplace misconduct, influencing [both] societal perceptions and legal considerations.

Clients are now more empowered to come forward, and there’s a greater recognition of the importance of addressing systemic problems within organizations.

Legally, we’ve seen an increased emphasis on workplace policies, training, and accountability. Companies are more proactive in preventing harassment, updating their codes of conduct, and implementing transparent reporting mechanisms.

The legal landscape has evolved to better support survivors, with changes in statutes of limitations and increased scrutiny on non-disclosure agreements.

While progress has [been made], there’s still work to [be] done to ensure lasting positive changes in the workplace and society as a whole.”

37. Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys is well known for her versatile spectrum of musical styles. She is a celebrated piano virtuoso who has won 15 Grammy awards in her relatively short career.

38.  Kate Moss

One of the 50 most popular women ,Katherine Moss has been active in the industry since 1988; thus, her being famous is not startling. Furthermore, she is not only a model but also a fashion designer by profession.

39. Heidi Klum

Heidi Klum is the first-ever German model who became Victoria’s, Secret Angel.

In 2011, Heidi Klum was also listed as the World’s Top-Earning Model. She worked with Victoria’s Secret for more than a decade, and by the end of the agreement, she had completely transformed into a businesswoman rather than a model.

40.  Fergie

Becoming popular after her role in ‘The Black Eyed Peas,’ Fergie, real name Stacy Ferguson, has since become a leading solo artist and fashion designer till the mid-2010s. She’s still in the top 50 most popular women in the world list, thanks to a few runaway tracks and a controversial rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

41.  Marilyn Monroe

An iconic role model for many women globally, Marilyn Monroe’s astonishing rise to popularity and her concise life continue to bewilder people years after her untimely death. Marilyn Monroe has become a fashion and glamour icon, and her influence will extend to a new generation of women.

famous for playing “blonde bombshell” characters, Marilyn Monroe became one from the majority prominent sex symbols. Marilyn Monroe was symbolic of the 1950s sexual revolution.

42. Carrie Underwood

A finalist in the 2005 season of “American Idol,” she has become one of the most flourishing American singers and is a mainstay in Billboard’s top 100.

43.  Eva Longoria

Actress and philanthropist Eva Longoria shot to prosperity after the runaway success of the television show ‘Desperate Housewives. She’s also well known for her charity work with the American Civil Rights Museum.

44.  Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba was born in 1981 in Pomona, U.S. Jessica Alba was always a brilliant child and began her acting career as a teenager. Nonetheless, Jessica Alba attained prestige when she was 19 and played the lead role in Dark Angel. Later, Jessica Alba alligned  within 50 most popular women globally through Honey which marked her bright future in Hollywood.

45. Carly Rae Jepsen

She has been among the mass of distinguished pop singers of the 21st century. Cary Rae Jepsen began her career when she entered the 6th season of Canadian Idol. The Canadian pop singer is one of the favorite songwriters of this generation.

46.  Jessie J

Jessica has been one of the famous singers for the past decade. A few of her hits have been ‘Who You Are, ‘Nobody’s Perfect, and ‘Laser Light’ among other outstanding classics. She was once nominated for the prestigious Grammy Awards.

47. Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens achieved prominence in the High School Musical series the most well-respected actress and American singer because of which she hold a position within 50 most popular women at global level

48. Lindsay Lohan

The famous Lindsay Lohan was born in 1986 in New York City. At the age of 3, Lindsay Lohan was signed to Ford Models, and at the age of 10, Lindsay Lohan appeared in a soap opera known as Another World. Nevertheless, Lindsay Lohan rose to success when featured in The Parent Trap Disney movie.

49.  Hilary Duff

Hilary Duff one of 50 most popular women transitioned from child star to proper singer, model, and producer. Hilary Duff has been in the limelight for her personal life with her family. Hilary Duff has been loved all over the internet by majority of the women in the world.

50.  Halle Berry

Halle Berry has an extraordinary journey as an English actress. She has earned the Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe for her excellent performances. For the past two decades, she has been on the list of the most gorgeous women in the world and also hold a position in 50 most popular women at global level.

We all know that women rule the world. In the 21st century, women have learned to harness that power for themselves, whether building an empire, walking runways, or running a nation.

We are amazed at what all the women in the world have achieved in the last few decades. These top 50 most popular women on the internet led the pack for several more.

Guest Author: Saket Kumar