FORTUNE's annual ranking of America's leading businesswomen
Xie Qihua Rank: 2 (2004 rank: 2)
Company: Shanghai Baosteel Group Based in: China Title: Chairman
The most powerful woman executive in China had to give up one of her titles this year, stepping down as president of the country's largest steelmaker because she reached the mandatory retirement age of 62. But the "Iron Lady," as she's known, is still chairman of the $19.5 billion company—and still very much in charge. Under Xie's leadership, Baosteel has grown into the world's sixth-largest steel company, has expanded abroad, and is poised for an IPO. Her goal: to make Baosteel one of the top three steel companies in the world.
From the November 14, 2005 issue
Highest pay
These women are among the highest paid in corporate America. All of them are employed by companies with over $1 billion in sales that filed proxies by September 1, 2005.
Newcomer Charlene Begley heads up GE's plastics division and is the youngest of this group at age 39. She bumped last year's youngest gun, Citigroup CFO Sallie Krawcheck, now 40. But, on average, the Power 50 are in their late 40s.
