Cleopatra VII is definitely one of the most famous and influential queens in world history. She was the last Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt and ruled from 51 BC to 30 BC. Cleopatra VII is widely recognized for her intelligence, political savvy, and beauty, and her reign was marked by several major achievements that have contributed to her lasting legacy.

One of her greatest achievements was her role in transforming Alexandria into a major center of learning, culture, and commerce. During her reign, she sponsored the construction of numerous monumental buildings, including the Pharos Lighthouse, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. She also established a library in Alexandria, which became one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world, and attracted some of the greatest minds of the day, including Archimedes and Euclid.

The queen is also famous for her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, two of the most powerful men of her time. Her affair with Caesar led to the birth of a son, Caesarion, who she hoped would become the next ruler of Egypt. Her alliance with Mark Antony was even more significant, as it brought her into direct conflict with Octavian, who would eventually become the first emperor of Rome and lay the foundations for the Roman Empire.

Cleopatra's political skills and strategic thinking were also instrumental in maintaining the independence of Egypt during a time of great uncertainty and change. She was a skilled negotiator and diplomat, and her negotiations with Rome helped preserve the independence of her kingdom, even as the Roman Empire expanded its reach.

Age: 51 BC - 30 BC
Country: Ancient Egypt
Achievements:

• Transformed Alexandria into a center of learning, culture, and commerce
• Sponsored construction of the Pharos Lighthouse
• Established the Library of Alexandria

Queen Elizabeth I was the Queen of England and Ireland from 1558 to 1603 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest monarchs in English history. The daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth faced numerous challenges during her reign, including religious conflict, assassination plots, and military threats from other European powers. Despite these obstacles, she maintained stability and established a strong, centralized monarchy.

Elizabeth was a patron of the arts, helping to cultivate a thriving cultural scene in England. One of her most significant achievements was the establishment of the Church of England, breaking away from the Roman Catholic Church and solidifying the country's independence from the papacy, laying the foundation for religious freedom in England.

The Queen was also remembered for her military successes, most notably against the Spanish Armada in 1588, marking the high point of her reign and securing England's position as a major world power. Elizabeth's intelligence, political acumen, strong leadership skills, and contributions to both religion and military helped cement her lasting legacy as one of England's greatest monarchs.

All in all, Queen Elizabeth I's accomplishments and her reign helped shape the future of England and her impact on the country's history is still felt today. She remains a symbol of strength, intelligence, and leadership, and continues to be remembered as one of England's greatest monarchs.

Age: 1533 - 1603
Country: England and Ireland
Achievements:

• Established the Church of England
• Led England to military victory against the Spanish Armada in 1588

Next on our list is Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. She ruled Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 to 1901, the second-longest reign in British history. The woman became queen at the age of 18 and ruled during a time of great change and growth in the British Empire.

Victoria was known for her strict moral code and her devotion to her husband, Prince Albert. She was also a strong leader who guided Britain through difficult times, including the Industrial Revolution and various social and political changes. Under her rule, Britain became a major world power and expanded its empire to include India and large portions of Africa. In addition, Victoria was the first British monarch to take a strong interest in social reform. She supported various charitable causes, including improving the conditions for women and children in the workforce and advocating for education and healthcare.

Furthermore, Queen Victoria of The United Kingdom was also a trendsetter and had a profound impact on fashion and society. Her style and taste influenced the Victorian era, and her clothing and jewelry set the standards for the time.

To sum it up, the Queen's strict moral code, devotion to her husband, strong leadership, impact on fashion and society, trendsetting, and social reform initiatives, have all contributed to her lasting legacy as one of the United Kingdom's most iconic monarchs.

Age: 1819-1901
Country: United Kingdom
Achievements:

• Guided Britain through difficult times
• First British monarch to take a strong interest in social reform

One ofthe most famous queens in history, Catherine The Great ruled Russia from 1762 until her death in 1796. Born Sophie Friederike Auguste of Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg, she inherited a country in need of reform and managed to modernize the government, education system, and economy. During her reign, Russia expanded its empire through military conquests and saw the growth of the arts and education.

Catherine The Great was a patron of the arts and education, supporting the Russian Enlightenment and sponsoring many writers, artists, and musicians. She established the first national library in Russia, the Hermitage Museum, and founded several schools and academies. The empress also implemented reforms to the legal system, military, and economy, making Russia one of Europe's largest and most powerful nations.

Her legacy comprises of the dedication to improving the lives of the Russian people - as well as her unwavering commitment to the growth and prosperity of her country. The Queen's intelligence, political acumen, and cultural patronage have secured her place as one of Russia's greatest rulers and a lasting influence on the nation and its people.

Not to mention, the woman was also a prolific letter writer and corresponded with many of the intellectual luminaries of her time, including Voltaire, Diderot, and Grimm. Her correspondences provide valuable insight into her political and personal views, as well as her life at the Russian court.

Age: 1729-1796

Country: Russia

Achievements:

• Modernized the government, education system, and economy of Russia
  
• Established the first national library in Russia, the Hermitage Museum
  

Marie Antoinette, one of history's most famous queens, was the wife of King Louis XVI of France. Born an Archduchess of Austria, she married the French dauphin in 1770 and became Queen of France when her husband ascended the throne in 1774.

Unlike other Queens on our list, Marie Antoinette is famous in a not-so-good way, whose reign was marked by heated debates and scandals. Her extravagant spending on clothing, gambling, and parties at a time of economic hardship for the French people earned her a reputation as a symbol of the excess and indifference of the French monarchy. Despite her efforts to become a more politically active queen and her support of various charities, she failed to gain the trust and support of the French people.

The French Revolution, which began in 1789, ultimately led to the fall of the monarchy and the end of Marie Antoinette's reign. She and her family were imprisoned during the Reign of Terror, and she was ultimately tried and executed by guillotine in 1793.

Marie Antoinette's legacy remains controversial to this day. While some view her as a symbol of the excess and decadence of the Ancien Régime, others remember her for her beauty, style, and bravery in the face of adversity. Regardless of one's perspective, her life and reign continue to capture the imagination and draw attention as a crucial moment in French history.

Age: 1755-1793

Country: France

Highlights:

• Became Queen of France after her husband ascended the throne in 1774
• Infamous for her extravagant spending

Queen Isabella I of Castile (1451-1504) was one of the most famous queens in history, known for her role in sponsoring Christopher Columbus' voyage to the New World and for bringing an end to centuries of Muslim rule in Spain.

The Queen was born in Madrigal de las Altas Torres, Spain and was the daughter of King John II of Castile. She married King Ferdinand II of Aragon in 1469, unifying the two largest kingdoms in Spain. Isabella and Ferdinand then worked together to bring about the end of Muslim rule in Spain, culminating in the capture of Granada in 1492. This event marked the end of the Reconquista and the completion of a 700-year struggle to reclaim Spain for Christianity.

And in addition to that, people also hailed Queen Isabella I for her strong leadership and her efforts to improve the lives of her people. She established the Spanish Inquisition, which aimed to root out heresy and maintain religious unity, but also led to widespread persecution of Jews and other minority groups.

That's not the end of the story; Isabella is also famous for sponsoring the voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New World in 1492. Columbus' voyage marked the beginning of the Spanish colonization of the Americas and had a profound impact on world history.

Age: 1451-1504

Country: Spain

Achievements:

• Ended centuries of Muslim rule in Spain, completed the Reconquista
• Sponsored Christopher Columbus' voyage to the New World

Queen Nefertiti of Egypt, also known as the "Lady of Grace", was one of the most powerful and mysterious women of her time. She lived during the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten in the 18th dynasty of Ancient Egypt, around 1370 BC. Nefertiti is famous for her beauty, as well as her contributions to Egyptian society and politics.

Nefertiti and Akhenaten are credited with introducing a new religion that worshiped only one god, the sun disk Aten, which marked a major departure from the traditional polytheistic beliefs of Ancient Egypt. Another of Nefertiti's milestones was her strong influence over her husband and her own political power, as well as her role in the administration of the empire. Some scholars also speculate that she may have ruled as a regent or even as a pharaoh in her own right after the death of Akhenaten.

Today, Queen Nefertiti remains an iconic figure, and her stunning beauty has been immortalized in many works of art, including the famous bust in the Altes Museum in Berlin, Germany.

Age: around 1370 BC

Country: Ancient Egypt

Achievements:

• Promoted religious tolerance and introduced a new monotheistic religion
• Played a significant role in her husband's reign with great political influence

Queen Amina of Zaria, one of the most renowned monarchs in history, ruled the Hausa Kingdom of Zaria in the 16th century. During her reign, she expanded the kingdom and established its position as a major power in West Africa.

Amina's military conquests were a defining feature of her rule. She led her army on numerous campaigns, successfully capturing neighboring territories and expanding the boundaries of Zaria. Her conquests brought economic prosperity to the kingdom, as they provided access to new resources and markets.

The queen was also known for her intelligence and cunning, and was a skilled diplomat. She was able to negotiate favorable trade agreements with neighboring kingdoms, further enhancing the prosperity of her kingdom. And in addition to her political and military achievements, Amina has been recognized for her building projects, comissioning the construction of several palaces, fortresses, and roads, solidifying her legacy as a great leader.

Despite the limited historical records available, Queen Amina's legacy has been celebrated for centuries in the oral traditions of the Hausa people. The woman is remembered as a fearless warrior, a wise ruler, and a patron of the arts and culture.

Age: 16th century

Country: Hausa Kingdom of Zaria (in modern-day Nigeria)

Achievements:

• Military conquests
• Skilled diplomat, negotiating favorable trade agreements

Queen Hatshepsut of Egypt, also known as Maatkare Hatshepsut, was one of the most well-known female rulers in the ancient world. As a queen regnant, she ruled Egypt for around 20 years and made significant contributions to the country's prosperity and stability.

The woman came to the throne as the wife of King Thutmose II, but after his death, she declared herself ruler and served as the first female pharaoh of Egypt. Hatshepsut’s reign was marked by military conquests and successful diplomatic missions, as well as several major building projects. She commissioned the construction of several grand temples, including the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Temple of Amun at Karnak.

Her reign saw great advancements in the trade and commerce sector, as she sent numerous expeditions to the Red Sea and beyond to establish trade routes and bring back exotic goods. She also ordered the construction of a massive red granite obelisk, one of the largest single pieces of stone to have ever been quarried in ancient times.

Throughout her rule, Queen Hatshepsut maintained a peaceful and stable reign. Sadly, after her death, her achievements were almost erased from history and her monuments defaced, likely by her co-regent and stepson Thutmose III. Nevertheless, the Queen's legacy remains, and she is still celebrated as one of Egypt’s greatest female rulers.

Age: 15th-14th century BC

Country: Egypt

Achievements:

• Military conquests and successful diplomatic missions
• Commissioned several grand temples

Empress Wu Zetian was a remarkable figure in Chinese history. Born into a noble family in 624, she rose to become the only woman in China's history to rule as an emperor in her own right. Wu was a brilliant strategist, a gifted politician, and an inspiring leader. She was known for her sharp intellect and her unflinching determination, qualities that served her well during her long and eventful reign.

One of Wu's most significant contributions was her commitment to social justice. She worked tirelessly to improve the lives of her subjects, advocating for policies that would benefit the poor and vulnerable. She also championed the cause of women's rights, promoting education and equal opportunities for women throughout the empire.

Under Wu's leadership, China experienced a period of unprecedented stability and prosperity. The Empress oversaw a wide range of projects, including the construction of new palaces, temples, and other public buildings. She also strengthened the military and expanded the empire's borders through a series of successful military campaigns.

Wu's legacy is still felt in China today. Empress Wu Zetian is always remembered as a visionary leader, a champion of social justice, and a symbol of female empowerment, whose achievements have inspired generations of women to pursue their dreams and break down barriers of gender inequality.

Age: 624-705 AD

Country: China

Achievements:

• The only woman in Chinese history to rule as an emperor in her own right
• Committed to social justice, advocating for policies that would benefit the poor and vulnerable