Ursula von der Leyen is the world's most powerful woman, says Forbes. 10 things to know about her

Ursula von der Leyen is the president of the European Commission.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen ranked number one on Forbes' list of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women.  Last year, the German politician was number 8 on the list. This year, she rose to the top because of her strong and decisive support of Ukraine, and her continued leadership in bringing Europe through the coronavirus pandemic, the publication reported.

Here are 10 things to know about Ursula von der Leyen:

1.) The 65-year-old was appointed president of the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, in July 2019.

2.) She is the first woman to serve in the role responsible for legislation affecting more than 450 million Europeans, Forbes stated.

3.) From 2005 until 2019, Ursula von der Leyen served in Former Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel's cabinet--the longest tenure of any cabinet member.

4.) She was Germany's first woman defense minister and held her position for six years.

5.) In 2022, she became one of the West's staunchest supporters of Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.

“This is a war on our energy, a war on our economy, a war on our values and a war on our future,” she had said of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Forbes reported. “This is about autocracy against democracy. I want to make it very clear, the sanctions are here to stay. This is the time for us to show resolve, not appeasement.”

6.)  The Gates Foundation awarded her its 2022 Global Goalkeeper Award for her leadership in Europe’s Covid recovery after the president spearheaded an €800 billion relief package in the summer of 2020 that went into effect in 2021.

7.) Ursula Von der Leyen is also a physician. Her first job was as a doctor at a women’s clinic in her native Germany.

8.) She didn’t enter politics until she was in her early 40s.

9.) She then worked her way up from local offices to become a minister of family affairs and youth in 2005. In 2013, she became Germany’s first female defense minister.

10.) “Ursula von der Leyen’s influence is unique--no one else on the list formulates policy on behalf of 450 million people--but her commitment to a free and democratic society is not,” Maggie McGrath, editor of ForbesWomen said. “Von der Leyen is just one face of the biggest storyline of 2022: women acting as stalwarts for democracy.”

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