Powerful, talented, empowering, controversial, successful, beautiful…Yes, it’s our definitive list of Australia’s most influential women of the year, starring Margot Robbie, Mary Fowler, Nicole Kidman, Jelena Dokic, Kylie Minogue, Magda Szubanski and and heaps more…
Women. Influential women, political women, empowering women, athletic women, talented women, movie star women, impressive women, pop star women, amazing women, model women, comedic women, commercial women, beautiful women, social media women, artistic women, reality TV women, newsworthy women, incredible women, TV presenter women, wonderful women, soap star women, brilliant women, fitspo women, extraordinary women, awesome women, gutsy women, controversial women, Australian women.
Yes, welcome to the inaugural Ultra Tune FHM Australia 2025 Woman of the Year – our annual, eclectic and definitive list of 100 influential Aussie women who have impressed, made headlines or simply had a notably big year. The past 12 months saw an abundance of fine, fierce and fabulous women who have wowed us with their aptitude and attributes, be it intellect, humour, controversies or simply their overall incredible talents.
None more so than this year’s numero uno, Margot Robbie. The stunningly talented mega movie star, producer, fashion ambassador… bounced back on the big screen with her production company going from strength to strength.
But she’s not the only amazing woman on the list. This is our salute to the many powerhouses shaping the moment. From the athletes who electrify stadiums and breaking records, to the CEOs changing how we work, the creators flipping the script, setting trends and the entertainers who make us laugh, cry and think — these women aren’t just part of the conversation; they are the conversation.
So, crack a cold one and meet the wonderful women who defined 2025 – the ones who prove that influence is not only about followers, filters or fame… it’s about impact.
Cheers, Santi Pintado
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
10 – NICOLE KIDMAN
Newly single Nicole starred in the legal thriller Discretion alongside Elle Fanning, a project that sparked a bidding war among streaming services. She also starred in another thriller, Holland, and reprised her iconic role (and wig) as Masha in Nine Perfect Strangers season two. Next up she’s set to dust off her broomstick opposite Sandra Bullock in Practical Magic 2. The midnight margaritas are on us, Nic.
9 – AMY TAYLOR
As the frontwoman of Amyl and the Sniffers, Amy embarked on a world tour this year, performing at the iconic Glastonbury and delivered a keynote at the ILMC Futures Forum, speaking out about political and social issues. Next up she’s supporting rock royalty AC/DC on their Australian tour in December. Rock on, Amy!
8 – NICOLA OLYSLAGERS
Nicola clinched gold in the women’s high jump at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, overcoming rain delays securing her first global outdoor title. She also won the coveted Diamond League trophy and set a new Oceania record, solidifying her status as one of Australia’s top athletes.
7 – MOLLIE O’CALLAGHAN
Dominating the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, Mollie grabbed gold in the 200m freestyle and the 4x200m freestyle relay, and silver in the 100m freestyle. She also competed at the Australian Swimming Trials in June, winning gold in the 200m freestyle and silver in the 100m backstroke and 50m backstroke. Thanks for making it look so easy while showing us that hard work really does pay off, Mo’.
6 – KAYLEE MCKEOWN
Golden girl Kaylee defended her titles in the 100m and 200m backstroke at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, despite overcoming a shoulder dislocation and a false start at the Australian trials earlier in the year. Her resilience and performance continue to inspire both fans and fellow athletes. Suffice to say, these records are almost as awesome as her epic post-swim poolside interviews.
5 – MELANIE PERKINS
Melanie Perkins continued her incredible streak this year. As Canva’s CEO, she led the launch of major new AI features at Canva Create 2025, bridging the gap between productivity and creativity. Her joint net worth was assessed at $14.14 billion as of May 2025, solidifying her status as a global tech titan and leading the world’s most valuable female-led startup. Boom.
4 – ALEXA LEARY
She owned 2025. After receiving the OAM, the Paralympic champion dominated the pool, smashing three S9 World Records at the Sydney Open. She then capped off the year by taking two gold medals and a silver at the World Championships in Singapore, confirming her reign as the world’s fastest S9 swimmer. What an incredible talent.
3 – TAMMY HEMBROW
After calling time on her marriage to Matt Zukowski in June, Tammy was swept up in a tabloid media storm over rumours of a romance with Geelong AFL star Bailey Smith in August. But to us, she’ll always be one of the country’s hottest influencers who continues to build her booming empire.
2 – MARY FOWLER
Mary has had a landmark year. Before her season was cut short by an ACL injury in April, she made WSL history by becoming the first player to notch at least two goal involvements in four straight matches and was named in the 2024/25 PFA WSL Team of the Year. She broke new ground off the football pitch, too, becoming the first pro footballer to walk the Le Défilé L’Oréal runway at Paris Fashion Week – and even with her injury, she signed a two-year contract extension with Manchester City. What’s more, she released her debut journal-style book, Bloom: Creating a Life I Love. Rare, resilient and magnificently magnetic.
1 – MARGOT ROBBIE
The mega movie star, producer, Chanel ambassador and new mum returned to the big screen last month in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey with Colin Farrell. Whether it’s turning heads in couture at red-carpet events and premieres or working it with daring looks at Paris Fashion Week, our numero uno FHM Australia 2025 Woman of the Year can simply do no wrong. Moreover, whispers are swirling that she’s still tied to a revived Pirates of the Caribbean saga, but next up she’ll star alongside fellow Aussie Jacob Elordi in Emerald Fennell’s bodice-ripping take on the Emily Bronte classic Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff, it’s me, Margot – I’ve come home. Cheers, to our number one.
By Reilly Sullivan & Santi Pintado
