Cristina Kirchner, President of Argentina

Cristina Kirchner, the widow of former President Néstor Kirchner, became Argentina's first elected female president in 2007 and was sworn in for a second term in 2011.

Kirchner ranked thirteenth on Forbes' list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World in 2008, and placed fourth on Time magazine's list of Top 10 Female Leaders of the World in 2010.