Ursula von der Leyen and the Most Talked-About Women in News - Week 09, 2025

Ranked 1st in this week's list of the top 10 most talked-about women in the news, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, is in the spotlight due to her emphatic stance on the need to bolster defense across Europe and support Ukraine. Her calls for transforming Ukraine into a 'steel porcupine' illustrate a strategic focus on strengthening defense capabilities to deter potential invaders. This position aligns with her broader advocacy for increased defense spending throughout Europe, underscoring a commitment to safeguarding democracy and the rule of law amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

• Top Countries: - Germany, Romania, and Ukraine - and 61 other countries
• Key stats: - Ursula von der Leyen's mentions reached 492, with a significant Dominance of 0.56% and a high Sentiment score of 7.67, reflecting the positive portrayal of her decisive leadership in the media.

Ranked 2nd in this week's list of most talked-about women, Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, is primarily in the news due to her active involvement in international discussions surrounding the Ukraine conflict. Her emphasis on unity among Western nations and caution regarding military interventions in Ukraine has made her a significant figure in diplomatic circles during this period.

• Top Countries: Italy, United Kingdom, Russia - and 55 other countries
• Key stats: With 276 mentions and a sentiment score of 6.43, Meloni's global influence is underscored by her high Reach of 27,082,325.95 and Power score of 397,926.86, reflecting the broad media coverage and influence she commands.

Betsy Arakawa ranks third on this week's list of the most talked-about women in the news. Her presence in the media is largely due to the tragic and suspicious circumstances surrounding her death alongside her husband, Oscar-winner Gene Hackman. The couple was found deceased in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home, drawing widespread attention and prompting an investigation into their deaths. Betsy Arakawa, a former classical pianist, was known for her significant role in supporting Hackman's health and well-being.

• Top Countries: United States, Brazil, Italy - and 58 other countries
• Key stats: Betsy Arakawa was mentioned 273 times, with a global dominance of 0.61% and a sentiment score of 5.34, indicating a neutral to slightly positive portrayal. Her reach was approximately 21.8 million people, and her power score was 529,020.87, signifying substantial media influence across multiple countries.

Ranked 4th in this week's list of the most talked-about women, Demi Moore is making headlines due to her nomination for Best Actress at the Oscars 2025 for her leading role in 'The Substance'. This marks a significant moment in her career, as it's her first nomination for Best Actress, and she is considered a frontrunner for the award. Her appearance at the Oscars, where she graced the red carpet in a stunning Armani Prime dress, has also garnered much media attention.

• Top Countries: United States, United Kingdom, Brazil - and 48 other countries
• Key stats: With 211 mentions, Demi Moore's global dominance is at 0.31%, and she holds a sentiment score of 7.78, reflecting the positive portrayal of her in the media. Her reach is notable at over 14 million, highlighting her significant impact across international media.

Kaja Kallas, ranked 5th in this week's list of the top 10 most talked-about women, has been in the spotlight primarily due to her role as the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. During this period, she has been actively advocating for increased European support for Ukraine amidst ongoing tensions with Russia. Kallas has also been vocal about the need for Europe to assume a leadership role in global affairs, particularly concerning the geopolitical dynamics involving Ukraine and Russia.

• Top Countries: - Russia, United Kingdom, Ukraine - and 32 other countries
• Key stats: - Kallas has 201 mentions with a global dominance of 0.26%, a sentiment score of 6.66, and a significant reach of over 15 million people. Her influence is reflected in her power score of 241718.65, highlighting her impact on global media.

Ranked 6th among the most talked-about women this week, Fernanda Torres is gaining significant attention in the media due to her nomination for Best Actress at the Oscars. Her role in the Brazilian film 'I Am Still Here' has made her a prominent figure, not only for her potential Oscar win but also because she is the second Brazilian actress to achieve this honor, following in her mother's footsteps. This marks a milestone for Brazilian cinema, as 'I Am Still Here' is also the first Brazilian film nominated for Best Picture, amplifying her presence in international news.

• Top Countries: Brazil, United States, Liechtenstein - and 30 other countries
• Key stats: Fernanda Torres has been mentioned 186 times in the news this week, with a significant global dominance of 0.23%. Her reach extends to over 17.9 million individuals, and her power is calculated at 232,606.78, indicating a strong global media influence. Her sentiment score of 7.10 reflects a positive portrayal in the media.

Claudia Sheinbaum ranks 7th in the list of the most talked-about women this week, reflecting her significant impact and presence in global media. As the President of Mexico, her actions and decisions have been at the forefront of discussions, particularly in her efforts to combat corruption, strengthen Mexico's judicial system, and manage international relations. Her administration has been proactive in addressing domestic issues such as nepotism and women's rights, while also engaging in critical dialogues with international leaders, including Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau, to tackle issues like drug trafficking and trade tariffs.

• Top Countries: Mexico, United States, Spain - and 34 other countries
• Key stats: Claudia Sheinbaum was mentioned 182 times with a global dominance of 0.62%. Her reach extended to 45,559,377.60 people, and she held a power score of 669,501.04, indicating her significant influence in media coverage this week. Her sentiment score of 6.59 suggests a generally positive portrayal in the news.

Alice Weidel ranks 8th on this week's list of most talked-about women, primarily due to her significant role in German politics as the chancellor candidate for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Her recent activities and statements have sparked considerable attention, both within Germany and internationally. Weidel's advocacy for large-scale repatriations of immigrants and her confidence in the AfD's electoral success have been focal points of media coverage. Furthermore, her presence on social media platforms like TikTok, where she has gained a substantial following, and mentions by influential figures such as Elon Musk, have amplified her media presence. Weidel's controversial political stance and the protests against her speeches have further contributed to her prominence in the news.

• Top Countries: Germany, United Kingdom, Switzerland - and 41 other countries
• Key stats: 170 mentions with a global dominance of 0.23%, a sentiment score of 6.04 indicating a relatively positive portrayal, and a reach of 18,068,255.03, highlighting her significant media presence.

Karla Sofía Gascón ranks 9th in this week's news coverage as she makes history with her Oscar nomination for Best Actress, becoming the first openly transgender person to achieve this milestone. She stars in the Netflix production 'Emilia Pérez', which has been critically acclaimed and is a significant topic due to its leading Oscar nominations. However, her nomination has also sparked controversy due to past social media posts perceived as racist and xenophobic, which have put her in the spotlight for both her groundbreaking achievement and the surrounding scandal.

• Top Countries: United States, Dominican Republic, Spain - and 36 other countries
• Key stats: 168 mentions globally, with a Dominance of 0.27%, a Sentiment score of 5.47, and a Reach of over 12.6 million people. Her Power score stands at 244,498.52, indicating substantial global media influence.

Ranked at number 10 in this week's list of the most talked-about women, Zoe Saldaña is capturing headlines due to her first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film 'Emilia Pérez'. Her appearance at the Oscars, where she walked the red carpet in a striking Saint Laurent dress, has also been a focal point of media coverage. Additionally, Zoe's expressed enthusiasm for dancing in her role has added to her newsworthy presence this week.

• Top Countries: United States, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom - and 48 other countries
• Key stats: Zoe Saldaña has been mentioned 168 times, with a high sentiment score of 7.40, indicating positive coverage. Her global reach stands at approximately 10 million people, with a significant power score of 218,886.55, reflecting her global media influence during this period.