Ms. Rousseff may be Brazil鈥檚 first female president, but her election in 2010 was not a surprise. She had long been the obvious successor to former President Lula da Silva, for whom she served as chief of staff. Her election catapulted her up the Forbes list 鈥� in 2010, she was No. 95.
Brazil is South America鈥檚 largest economy (it is the 鈥淏鈥� in the so-called BRICS, five powerhouse economies the world is watching) and as the head, Rousseff鈥檚 decisions may cause financial ripples around the world. She鈥檚 No. 16 on Forbes鈥� overall list of the world鈥檚 most powerful people.
