Who said politics isn’t a woman’s cup of tea! Across the world, there are many women who have proved the stereotypes wrong, making it to the top position when it comes to driving politics. Do not agree? Listed below are the top 5 most powerful women political mavericks in the world who have left behind a footprint with their progressive outlook and efficiency.

Angela Merkel, Germany
A German politician and former research scientist, Angela Merkel is one of the most powerful women. She was ranked No.1 on 2011 Most Powerful Women list by Forbes, the highest ranking ever achieved by a woman. She is the backbone of the European Union (EU) and the fate of the Euro lies on her shoulders. She is the Chancellor of Germany since 2005 and the leader of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since the year 2000 – the first woman to hold either office.

Hilary Clinton, U.S.
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is an American politician who served as the 67th United States Secretary of State under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2013. Being the wide of former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the United States and also served as a United States Senator from 2001 to 2009. As the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton advocated the U.S. military intervention in Libya and was at the forefront of the U.S. response to the Arab Spring. Having a strong political background and a lady with power, she encouraged women empowerment across the world and has also play a major role in creating the State Childrens’ Health Insurance Program, Foster Care Independence Act and the Adoption and Safe Families Act.

DilmaRousseff, Brazil
DilmaRousseff is the current and 36th president of Brazil and the first woman to hold the office in the country. Daughter of a Bulgarian entrepreneur, she was an active socialist during her youth and later joined the left wing and Marxist urban guerrilla groups, fighting against military dictatorship. During her fight, she was also captured and jailed during 1970 and 1972. She was the former Chief of Staff to President LuizInacio Lula da Silva from 2005 to 2010. According to Forbes ranking of Most Powerful Women in 2011, DilmaRousseff ranked No.3.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia
Sirleaf is the 24th and current president of Liberia and one of the founding members of National Patriotic Front of Liberia. A powerful political maverick, she was the first female head of state in Africa and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, jointly with Tawakel Karman of Yemen and LeymahGbowee of Liberia. She has played a major role in “non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participationin peace-building work.” She was recognized by the prestigious Indira Gandi Prize by President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, on September 12, 2013.

Sonia Gandhi, India
The president of Indian National Congress, Sonia Gandhi, wife of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, heads the political party of the world’s second largest population. Ranked as No.7 on Forbes 2011 Most Powerful Women, the Italian-born Indian politician is listed at #21 among the most powerful people in 2013.