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Power 50

The Power List

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How to measure a person’s power? In a world in which we have inexpensive tools to reach billions, it may seem that the globe truly is flat, and we’re all on an even playing field. But a few exemplary individuals manage to influence the way others live -- either through their public personas, politics, or wealth -- and affect cultural and social attitudes.

1. Tim CookKey
CEO, Apple, 51

2. Ellen Degeneres
Spokesperson/Talk-Show Host/Producer, 54

3. Peter Thiel
Venture Capitalist/Hedge Fund Manager, 44

4. Ryan Murphy
Writer/Director/Producer, 46

5. Rachel Maddow
TV Host/Political Commentator, 39

6. Anderson Cooper
Journalist/News Anchor/Talk-Show Host, 44

7. Rich Ross
Former Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios, 49

8. Barry Diller
Chairman, IAC, 70

9. Shepard Smith
News Anchor, 48

10. Andy Cohen
TV Personality/Impresario, 44

SLIDESHOW: View the Top 10 on the Power List

11. Neil Patrick Harris
Actor, 38

12. Tammy Baldwin
U.S. Representative, Wisconsin, 50

David Cicilline
U.S. Representative, Rhode Island, 50

Jared Polis
U.S. Representative, Colorado, 36

13. Scott Rudin
Film and Theater Producer, 53

14. Marc Jacobs
Fashion Designer, 49

15. Harvey Levin
TV Producer/TMZ Founder, 61

16. Matt Drudge
Blogger, 45

17. Chris Hughes
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, The New Republic, 28

18. Anthony Romero
Executive Director, ACLU, 46

19. David Geffen
Media Mogul, 69

20. Chad Griffin
Incoming President, HRC, 38

21. Barney Frank
U.S. Representative, Masschusetts, 72

22. Jann Wenner
Publishing Magnate, 66

23. Tim Gill
Software Pioneer/Philanthropist, 58

24. Christine Quinn
New York City Council Speaker, 45

25. Suze Orman
Financial adviser/Talk-show host, 60

26. Tom Ford
Fashion Designer/Film Director, 50

27. Ken Melhman
Businessman, 45

28. Andrew Sullivan
Journalist/Blogger, 48

29. Annise Parker
Mayor of Houston

30. Bryan Lourd & Kevin Huvane
Managing Partners, CAA, 52 & 53

31. Martha Nelson
Editorial Director, Time Inc., 59

32. Chuck Wolfe
CEO, The Victory Fund, 50

33. Mary Kay Henry
International President, SEIU, 53

34. Joe Solmonese
Political Consultant, 47

35. Jeremy Bernard
White House Social Secretary, 50

36. Nick Denton
CEO, Gawker Media, 45

37. Alan Ball
Screenwriter/Producer/Director, 54

38. Richard Berke
Assistant Managing Editor, The New York Times, 53

39. Perez Hilton
Blogger/TV personality, 34

40. Jess Cagle
Managing Editor, Entertainment Weekly, 46

Ariel Foxman
Managing Editor, InStyle, 38

Adam Moss
Editor-in-chief, New York, 54

41. Jenna Lyons
President and Executive Creative Director, J. Crew, 44

42. Adam Rose
CoPresident, Rose Associates, Inc., 52

43. Greg Berlanti
TV Producer/Writer, 39

44. Bryan Singer
Director/Producer, 46

45. Megan Smith
Google Executive

46. Simon Halls & Stephen Huvane
Founders, Slate PR, 48, 51

47. Jane Lynch
Actress

48. Dan Savage
Editor/Activist/TV Personality, 47

49. Robert Hanson
CEO, American Eagle Outfitters, 49

50. Evan Wolfson
Founder and President, Freedom to Marry, 55

51. Andre Banks
Cofounder, Executive Director, AllOut.org

52. Bryce Bennett
Montana State Representative

53. Widney Brown
Senior Director, Amnesty International

54. Chai Feldblum
Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner

55. Bruce Harris
New Jersey Supreme Court Nominee

56. Victoria Kolakowski
California Superior Court Judge

57. Steven Kolb
Executive director, CFDA

58. Don Lemon
CNN News Anchor

59. Mark Leno
California State Senator

60. Jonathan Murray
Cofounder/Chairman, Bunim/Murray Productions

61. Beth Robinson
Vermont State Supreme Court Justice

62. Hilary Rosen
CNN Contributor, Democratic Strategist

63. Brad Sears
Executive Director, The Williams Institute

64. Andy Thayer
Cofounder, Gay Liberation Network

65. Michael Weinstein
President, AIDS Healthcare Foundation

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