MIKY LEE BY MARK SELIGER/AUGUST
NEW YORK, NY – January 21, 2026 – Today, Forbes has unveiled its 2026 Global 50 Over 50 list in partnership with Know Your Value and its founder Mika Brzezinski, co-host of MS NOW’s Morning Joe. Now in its sixth year, the franchise recognizes 50 women who are not only accomplished leaders, but who are making their most significant professional impact after the age of 50 around the world.
The women on the 2026 50 Over 50 Global list hail from 36 countries and territories across six continents, reflecting the truly international scope of influence women are wielding later in their careers. Collectively, they are leaving their marks on every sector of the global economy—from aviation and architecture to finance, fashion, food, mining, technology and public service. Several have broken barriers to become “the first” in their roles; others have built or reinvented businesses, invented technologies and medical therapies, or led cultural and societal change that stands to affect millions of lives. All exemplify resilience and reinvention in an ever-changing global environment.
This year’s list includes globally recognized figures such as Penélope Cruz, the Oscar-winning Spanish actor whose career has spanned four decades; Charlotte Tilbury, founder of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty and one of the most influential entrepreneurs in global cosmetics; and Gisèle Pelicot, whose decision to publicly confront violence against women helped catalyze national debate and legal reform in France.
Alongside these household names, this year’s list features powerful women whose leadership and initiatives are driving meaningful change across society, including the Prime Ministers of Japan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanae Takaichi and Judith Suminwa, Ladidi Kuluwa Bako-Aiyegbusi, Director-Head, Nutrition Department, Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Cheryl Pearce, Major General, Deputy Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations, UN.
“The 2026 50 Over 50 list reflects the extraordinary breadth of influence women are having around the world,” says Maggie McGrath, Editor, ForbesWomen. “Where they differ in sector focus and geographic origin, what unites the women on this list is a willingness to apply their well-earned wisdom and experience to some of the most complex challenges of our time. What unites them is not a single sector or geography, but a willingness to apply decades of experience to some of the most complex challenges of our time — proving that impact, leadership and innovation can only deepen with age.”
Produced in partnership with Mika Brzezinski’s Know Your Value, Brzezinski will share more on this year’s 50 Over 50 list Thursday morning during Morning Joe on MS NOW.
In 2026, Forbes and Know Your Value will host the fifth annual 30/50 Summit in Abu Dhabi coinciding with International Women’s Day, featuring the women from the Forbes 50 Over 50 and 30 Under 30 lists. The immersive event, led by Mika Brzezinski, Huma Abedin and Maggie McGrath, will bring together female leaders from both communities for the opportunity to forge cross-generational alliances and share guidance and insights to women at every stage of their career, while also offering a programme of rich cultural exchange.
For information about the 2026 event and to receive updates about next year’s summit, please visit 2026 Forbes 30/50 Summit.
For the full list visit:
To follow the conversation online, use #Forbes50Over50
Forbes Media Contacts:
Elise Flick, [email protected]
Feryal Nawaz, [email protected]
Know Your Value Media Contact:
Claudia Meyer-Samargia, [email protected]
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/pr/2026/01/21/forbes-releases-annual-global-50-over-50-list-celebrating-women-defying-age-and-gender-barriers/
