The 50 Most Powerful Moms of All Time

Adele is a 15-time Grammy Award-winning vocal powerhouse, wife and mommy to her 5-year-old son, Angelo. The "Rolling in the Deep" British singer (who turns 30 in 2018) has dominated the charts since her debut album, "19," in 2008. Over the last decade, she's delivered some of our favorite musical hits, advocated for plus-size women and women of color (like her powerful Grammy acceptance speech praising Beyoncé) and happily married the love of her life and father of her child, Simon Konecki.

If you don't know Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, we're excited to introduce you to one of Bollywood's biggest film stars. The former Miss World is known for her unsurpassed beauty as well as her immense on-screen talent. Not only is she India's version of Meryl Streep, but she's also starred in numerous U.S. films, including "The Last Legion" and "Bride and Prejudice." Aishwarya is the mother of a 6-year-old daughter named Aaradhya and the wife of fellow Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan.

Speaking of Meryl Streep, there's only one woman in Hollywood who commands our attention quite like this iconic actress and mom of four. Her first big-screen performance was in the 1978 war drama "The Deer Hunter," which led to her first Oscar nod. Forty years later, Meryl is considered one of the greatest actresses of our time and holds the impressive record for most Oscar nominations (a whopping 21). Up next for Meryl is a role in "Big Little Lies," "Mary Poppins Returns" and "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again."

Admittedly, many of us didn't know who Lebanese-British barrister Amal Clooney (née Alamuddin) was before she married film star and producer George Clooney. Today, we know the mom of 10-month-old twins Ella and Alexander is also a powerful human rights attorney who specializes in international law. Amal's high-profile clients include WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and the Greek government. She's even boldly taken the terror group ISIS to court for crimes of genocide.

While Angelina Jolie made a name for herself in Hollywood with her beauty and talent, it was her off-camera work that got our attention. The 42-year-old mother of six (including three adopted children) served for years as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador. She was later appointed as a special envoy focusing on refugee displacement on a global level, traveling abroad to find solutions to problems refugees face. In her spare time (how does she have any?), she also produces and directs.

Rolling Stone calls Aretha Franklin "one of the most influential and important voices in pop history," and we can't help but agree. The 76-year-old soul singer, mother of four and 18-time Grammy winner began her music career as a child, singing gospel in her father's church. Although she debuted her first album in 1957, Aretha's true arrival on the music scene came in 1967 with the release of "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Loved You," which quickly went gold. Today, Aretha is still bringing down the house with live performances.

In 1988, Benazir Bhutto changed history when she became Pakistan's first female prime minister and the first female leader of a Muslim nation. Benazir inherited her political role from her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the head of the Pakistan People's Party, who was executed in a military coup in 1979. Stepping into her father's shoes, Benazir (a mother of three) led her country but would face charges of corruption and, ultimately, exile. In 2007, she returned to Pakistan, only to be assassinated by a suicide bomber.

We first met Beyoncé in 1998 with the release of her all-girl group's self-titled debut album, "Destiny's Child," and were captivated by her bold vocal talent, beauty and style. Just five years later, Bey dropped her solo album, "Dangerously in Love," and began her path toward world musical domination. Queen Bey is now the Coachella-slaying mom of three, wife of rap mogul Jay-Z, entrepreneur, actress and 22-time Grammy Award-winning music artist who holds the title of being one of the richest women in America.

Eleanor Roosevelt was more than the first lady of the 32nd president of the United States (Franklin D. Roosevelt), she was also a noted columnist and writer who advocated for equality for women, African- and Asian-Americans, and refugees. The mother of six was also a passionate humanitarian who spent her time in the White House working to increase programs and services for those in need. After her husband's death, Eleanor continued to make the world a better place as a delegate for the United Nations.

It's likely you recognize Estée Lauder's name because of the global cosmetics empire she started back in 1946. The Queens, New York-born business woman and mother of two got her start in the beauty industry as a trained beautician who, along with her husband and uncle (who was a chemist), formulated her company's first skincare cream. Her products (namely, her Youth Dew beauty oil) were so successful that Estée eventually became one of the richest women in the world who built their empire from the ground up.

While her husband, Martin Luther King Jr., tends to get more attention, Coretta Scott King was also a noted activist who helped usher in a new era in America. Not only was the mother of four a pivotal member of her husband's campaign for social change, but after his assassination in 1968, she continued working as an activist, petitioning the government to make his January 15 birthday a federal holiday. She also opened The King Center, a nonprofit that keeps Dr. King's legacy alive today.

If you've heard of the Me Too movement, then you have Tarana Burke to thank. The Bronx, New York-born mother of one and civil rights activist began her crusade in 2006 while working as a mentor for women of color through her nonprofit, Just Be Inc. While consoling a victim of sexual abuse, Tarana (who is also a survivor) realized that saying "Me too" was the only way she could express both empathy and courage. A decade later, her words would take over the internet and become a powerful movement for change.

Widely considered Britain's first royal celebrity, Princess Diana captivated us from the moment she was introduced to the world as Prince Charles' bride-to-be in 1981. Her kindness, beauty and trend-setting style made her a natural star, even after the royal couple divorced in 1996. Sadly, it was her immense popularity that also led to her sudden and tragic death on Aug. 31, 1997, when the car she was in (with boyfriend Dodi Fayed) crashed in a Paris tunnel while trying to escape the paparazzi.

Quite literally the most powerful woman on our list is none other than Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in England's history. Her coronation happened in 1953 at the tender age of 25, after the death of her father, King George VI. The prim and always proper queen has been the matriarch of her royal clan, raising four children with husband Prince Philip while maintaining royal order (and weathering more than a few royal scandals).

This young mom in the House of Windsor is Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (also known as Kate), who married Prince William on April 29, 2011. Since her early days as the prince's on- and off-again girlfriend, Kate, much like her mother-in-law, Princess Diana, captured the world's attention with her carefree smile and generous personality. Now as the royal duchess, this mom of two (with one on the way) has made it her personal mission to support causes she cares about, including addiction and mental health awareness.

Known for her beauty, many lovers and her command of the screen, legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor was also a mother of three. The Academy Award-winning silver screen star, famous for her roles in films like "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Cleopatra" and "Butterfield 8," was also an entrepreneur, building her empire with perfume, cosmetics and jewelry lines that still earn a sizable income today, seven years after her death.

Known as the mother of the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman was also the mother of one daughter, Gertie Davis, whom she adopted in 1874. Harriet was a passionate abolitionist who escaped slavery in 1849 and worked as a "conductor," escorting escaped slaves to freedom through a private network of safe houses and tunnels. Interestingly, Harriet also worked as a spy for the Union Army during the Civil War, passing crucial information that helped them ultimately win the war.

Helle Thorning-Schmidt isn't just the first woman to hold the title of prime minister of Denmark and leader of the Social Democrats, she's also a passionate philanthropist and the current CEO of Save the Children International. The mother of two took the job in 2016 and oversees programs and services for children operating in more than 120 countries around the world. Helle's current mission is focused on reaching children in war-torn countries who are facing disease, displacement, poverty and a lack of education.

Way back when, we first met Jennifer Lopez as a Fly Girl on the hit sketch series "In Living Color," but before long, she was on the big screen playing the title role in the biopic "Selena." Since 1996, Jennifer Lopez (formerly J.Lo) has pushed herself to become a leading actress, a chart-topping musical performer, an entrepreneur and since 2008, a mother to her twins, Max and Emme. In 2018, we'll get to see Jennifer on the big screen in "Second Act." She also made a guest appearance on the rebooted series "Will & Grace."

During her husband Bill Clinton's presidency beginning in 1993, Hillary Clinton, a lawyer and mother of one, worked fervently for causes that benefited those in need, including the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the Violence Against Women Act. After leaving the White House, Hillary was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000 and in 2009, after losing her first presidential bid, she served as the Secretary of State for the Obama Administration. She's also a noted philanthropist and published author.

Indira Gandhi was a mother of two and India's third prime minister who's still considered one of the most polarizing politicians in her country. The only daughter of India's first PM, Jawaharlal Nehru (a friend and associate of Mahatma Gandhi), Indira's role in Indian politics came after the death of her father and his successor, allowing her to become India's first and only female PM. In 1984, Indira was assassinated by two of her bodyguards in retribution for a military attack she'd orchestrated that left hundreds dead.

Two time Oscar-winning actress Jane Fonda has talent running through her veins. Her father was screen legend Henry Fonda, and her brother is actor Peter Fonda (who happens to be the dad of actress Bridgit Fonda). Jane, the mother of three, made a name for herself in Hollywood as an actress in films like "Barbarella," "On Golden Pond" and "Monster-in-Law," as well for her work as an activist. Today Jane's known as the star of the Netflix original series "Grace & Frankie" who, at the age of 80, still looks incredible.

Dr. Maya Angelou was an award-winning poet, author, actress, educator and activist whose 1969 memoir, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," became the first-ever nonfiction bestseller from an African-American female author. The mother of one began her career in the mid 1950s, first as a theater performer before launching her career as an award-winning author of poetry books like "Just Give Me a Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie" and "And Still I Rise." Before her death in 2014, Maya worked as a professor of English at Wake Forest University.

Grammy Award-winning French-Canadian songbird Celine Dion has remained a musical force throughout her 37-year career. Although her first album was released in Canada in 1981, Celine didn't break into the American music scene until the release of her 1990 album, "Unison." From there, it was only a matter of time before the mother of three and style icon rose to become a chart-topping sensation with one of the longest residencies in Las Vegas for a solo female performer.

If you don't know who Janet Yellen is, allow us to introduce you. Politico called her "one of the most successful Fed chairs in history"—and based on her stats, we'd have to agree. The economist and mother of one, who was an ardent advocate for raising the nation's employment rate, first served as the vice chair of the Federal Reserve from 2010 until 2014, when she was nominated as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, a position she used to help the nation avoid a catastrophic economic collapse.

Joan Didion is widely considered one of America's greatest literary minds. The journalist, screenwriter, memoirist and mother of one got her start in publishing while working for Vogue magazine in the 1950s. From there, she went on to compose masterpieces like her novel "Run River" and her memoirs, "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" and "A Year of Magical Thinking." In 2017, Netflix aired a documentary on her life titled "Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold."

Michelle Obama isn't just the first African-American first lady to enter the White House, she's also a prominent lawyer, activist, advocate, wife and mother. Along with spending eight long years alongside Barack Obama in service to our country, Michelle also masterminded several initiatives, such as Let's Move! and the School Lunch Program, aimed at getting kids active, moving and eating nourishing food. On Nov. 13, 2018, Michelle's memoir, "Becoming" arrives on bookshelves.

Joan Rivers was a hilarious stand-up comedienne, made famous by her early appearances on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." She was also a bold and brazen TV personality known for her talk shows, red carpet appearances and awards show shenanigans. Joan was even an actress as well as an author of numerous memoirs, including "Diary of a Mad Diva" and "I Hate Everyone … Starting with Me." Sadly, the multitalented mother of one died from surgical complications in 2014 at the age of 81.

Linda Sarsour is the controversial co-organizer of the 2017 Women's March who's spent her life advocating for Muslim-Americans. The politically minded wife and mother of three founded the Muslim Democratic Club of New York in 2013 and served as executive director for the nonprofit Arab American Association of New York. Along with launching one of the biggest marches in our nation's history, Linda's prominence in politics has made her a target for personal attacks.

Madeleine Albright rose from being a political refugee in Prague to become the first female U.S. Secretary of State of our nation. The mother of three entered politics in the 1960s and by 1993, was serving as an ambassador for the United Nations. In 1996, President Bill Clinton nominated her for the role of secretary of state, a position she served until 2001. In 2016, Madeleine created controversy when she said, "There's a special place in hell for women who don't help each other!" at a rally for presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

Mindy Kaling first rose to fame in 2005 as Kelly Kapoor on "The Office"—a show she also wrote for and produced. In 2012, Mindy struck out on her own with the debut of her Emmy-nominated comedy series "The Mindy Project," which ended in 2017 (the same year she gave birth to her daughter, Katherine). Along with her TV career, Mindy's also a New York Times bestselling author of three memoirs and, most recently, a bonafide movie star. This year, she's starring in "A Wrinkle in Time" and "Ocean's 8."

Madonna's epic rise to music fame began with the release of her self-titled debut studio album in 1983. With hits like "Holiday" and "Borderline," Madonna quickly climbed the charts and, along with her bold sense of style, became a fashion icon of the decade. Now, 35 years later, Madonna is a seven-time Grammy Award-winning artist with 13 studio albums under her belt (including her No. 1 hit "Like a Virgin" in 1984), an actress, an entrepreneur, an author of children's book and a mother of six.

Margaret Mead was an outspoken anthropologist who taught the world about the power of human diversity. Spending years in American Samoa and New Guinea, Margaret studied how children's play, adolescent development, gender roles and childrearing were influenced by culture, bringing a new understanding to the civilized world about so-called "primitive peoples." Margaret, a mom of one and science-based Kalinga Prize winner, published numerous books on her research while working as a professor before her death in 1978.

Although many of us know Melinda Gates simply as Bill Gates' wife, the philanthropist, businesswoman and mother of three has also made significant contributions to the world. She met her husband while working as a project manager at Microsoft and, after marrying him in 1994, helped launch the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, an organization that works to improve access to education and healthcare while helping to lift people out of extreme poverty. In 2016, Melinda was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

She's the second woman ever nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court, but Ruth Bader Ginsburg has a long history of breaking barriers for women. The mother of two was the first woman to serve on the Harvard Law Review and later became the first tenured female professor at Columbia University. Throughout the '70s, Ruth also championed the rights of women while working with the American Civil Liberties Union and by 1980 she served on the U.S. Court of Appeals before her nomination as Supreme Court Justice in 1993.

If you're a fan of "Grey's Anatomy," "Scandal," "How to Get Away with Murder," or "Station 19," then you have Emmy-nominated screenwriter and producer Shonda Rhimes to thank. The mother of three has been a creative force in entertainment since her 1998 TV movie debut with "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge." Along with writing the screenplay for movies like "Crossroads" and "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement," Shonda's also the head of her own production company and a New York Times best-selling author.

Margaret Sanger led a crusade throughout the early 1900s advocating for women's reproductive rights, which ultimately led to the opening of a birth control clinic (now known as Planned Parenthood) in 1916. In stark contrast to that achievement, the mother of three also vocalized support for eugenics—a controversial controlled breeding program—making it hard to credit her as a trailblazer. While her legacy is tarnished, her lasting contribution to women and families remains today.

Aside from her immense beauty, talent and star power, Serena Williams is also one of the best women's tennis players in the world. Even the Women's Tennis Association agrees, having named Serena their No. 1 player eight times since 2002. The four-time Olympic gold medalist and mother of one has won 72 singles titles throughout her tennis career and is the top prize-winning female athlete. As if she weren't busy enough, Serena's also an actress, author and advocate for women's equality.

Every time a patient gets radiation therapy for cancer or a service member gets an X-ray in the battlefield, they have physicist and mother of one Marie Curie to thank. Along with discovering radium and polonium, Marie developed the world's first portable X-ray machine that could help medics outside of hospitals. Marie was also the first woman to win not just one, but two Nobel Prizes (in fact, she was the first person of any gender to win two awards) and the first to win in two separate categories.

Martha Stewart rose to become one of the most prominent lifestyle experts in the country, creating a vast (and lucrative) empire in the process. From humble beginnings in New Jersey, Martha first dabbled in modeling and stocks before turning her sights on gourmet cooking (leading to her love for all things entertaining). Today, the mother of one, who famously served five months in federal prison, continues to build her brand through her blog and various product lines across the country.

Oscar-nominated actress Melissa McCarthy is a comedic legend, wife and mother of two who began her love affair with Hollywood on "Gilmore Girls" before landing a lead role in the comedy series "Mike and Molly." Today, Melissa's known for her roles in films like "Bridesmaids," "Identity Thief" and "Ghostbusters," as well as her high-end plus-size clothing line, Seven7, and production company, One Day Productions. In 2018, Melissa has three new movie roles and will return to the small screen in her series "Nobodies."

Mary Wollstonecraft was born in 1759 and left home at a young age to escape her abusive father to pursue a career as a writer. During a time when women were regarded as little more than property, Mary, an early feminist, radically argued for equality and access to education in her famous work "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" and for the recognition of women's sexual desires in "Maria, or the Wrongs of Woman." In 1797, Mary died, 10 days after giving birth to her second child, "Frankenstein" author, Mary Shelley.

Musician, civil rights activist and author Nina Simone transformed the sound of music with her trademark blend of blues, jazz, folk and soul that set her apart during the '50s and '60s. The mother of one was known for her rich, sultry voice in songs, like "Feelin' Good" and "I Loves You, Porgy," as well as for speaking out against racism with her songs "Mississippi Goddam" and "Four Women." Nina, who was friends with civil rights leader Malcolm X, died in 2003 in France after battling breast cancer.

Since Reese Witherspoon's first movie, "The Man in the Moon," in 1991, she's been one of the most beloved actresses in Hollywood. Today, the mother of three isn't just the star of our favorite films, including "Legally Blonde," "Cruel Intentions" and "Walk the Line" (which earned her an Oscar), she's also the head of her own production company, an advocate for women, a wife and mother of three who just happens to star in our favorite drama series, "Big Little Lies"—which debuts season 2 in 2018.

Pulitzer- and Nobel Prize-winning author and playwright Toni Morrison is best known for her novels "The Bluest Eye" and "Beloved," as well as her stage productions "Desdemona" and "Dreaming Emmett." Along with writing about the black experience, Toni's work is credited with opening a new door for African-American literature. The mother of two (who sadly lost one son to cancer in 2010), social activist and former Princeton professor was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.

In 1981, President Ronald Reagan nominated Sandra Day O'Connor for the Supreme Court, making her the first woman justice in our nation's history (clearing the way for future female justices like Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor). The judge and mother of three was responsible for many landmark cases throughout her 24 years on the Supreme Court bench, including Planned Parenthood v. Casey, in which she sided with women's rights advocates to uphold Roe v. Wade.

We first met Sheryl Sandberg in 2008, when she took the helm as Facebook's chief operating officer. However, it was the mom of two's 2010 Ted Talk on the absence of female leaders that led to her first book, "Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead" and the formation of her organization Lean In that works to empower women worldwide. In 2015, Sheryl suffered the sudden death of her husband, Dave Goldberg, which inspired her to write her 2017 bestseller, "Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience and Finding Joy."

J.K. Rowling is the creative genius who gifted the world with her fantastical "Harry Potter" series. The award-winning author and mother of three began her famous first novel, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," while surviving on welfare in Scotland. Today, Rowling is an accomplished playwright, screenwriter and author (who also publishes under her pseudonym Robert Galbraith), philanthropist and Twitter savage who isn't afraid to call out politicians on their bad behavior.

Yoko Ono was famously blamed for breaking up the most famous boy band in history, The Beatles. Her 1969 marriage to John Lennon, which preceded his departure from the band that same year, created a heated reaction from fans who accused the petite Japanese-born artist of stealing him from his audience. After John's assassination in 1980, Yoko, a mother of two who'd worked alongside her husband for years promoting the arts and world peace, continued their legacy by forming the LennonOno Grant for Peace award.

First beginning her career as a marketing manager for Google (and as their 16th ever employee), Susan Wojcicki was a major voice of support in the 2006 Google acquisition of YouTube which increased its net worth from $1.65 billion to their estimated $90 billion valuation today. Since 2014, the mother of five has operated as the CEO of YouTube and regularly speaks about the importance of gender equality and diversity in the workplace.