Forbes Lists The 10 Most Powerful People in the World

There are 6.8 billion people on the planet. Forbes says that there are 68 who matter. We'll take a look at the top ten. There are certainly some surprises. The editors picked Hu Jintao, the president of the People's Republic of China as the world's most powerful man, ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama (No. 2).

Most people are fascinated by power. We stand in awe of those who apply it adroitly -- and in fear of those who abuse it. Many lust for power and most would rather be a hammer than a nail.
Here's the Forbes Top Ten:


1. Jintao Hu
Age: 67
Title: President
Residence: Beijing
Country of citizenship: China


2. Barack Obama
Age: 49
Title: President
Residence: Washington, DC
Country of citizenship: United States


3. Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al Saud
Age: 86
Title: King
Residence: Riyadh
Country of citizenship: Saudi Arabia


4. Vladimir Putin
Age: 57
Title: Prime Minister
Residence: Moscow
Country of citizenship: Russia


5. Pope Benedict XVI
Age: 83
Title: Pope
Residence: Vatican City
Country of citizenship: Germany


6. Angela Merkel
Age: 56
Title: Chancellor
Residence: Berlin
Country of citizenship: Germany


7. David Cameron
Age: 43
Title: Prime Minister
Residence: London
Country of citizenship: Great Britain



8. Ben Bernanke
Age: 56
Title: Chairman
Residence: Washington, DC
Country of citizenship: United States


9. Sonia Gandhi
Age: 63
Title: President
Residence: New Delhi
Country of citizenship: India


10. Bill Gates
Age: 54
Title: Co-Chair, Microsoft
Residence: Medina, WA
Country of citizenship: United States

Lt me leave you with an interesting note:  President Obama's salary is $400,000; Ben Bernake's salary was $199,700 in 2009.