The Most Popular Albums Ever Released—By Women

When the music is authentic, you can't help but surrender. Consider Taylor Swift taking the world by storm with her Eras Tour, which began last March and is set to end this year in December. She has a loyal legion of fans inspired by her music—and not just because the beats are catchy. She's an incredible songwriter, too.

She's the pop star of today, but plenty of women came before her, paving the road for her ultimate expression. Barbra Streisand released "Funny Girl" (1968), a soundtrack for the musical. She sang songs like "I'd Rather Be Blue Over You (Than Happy With Someone Else)" and "Don't Rain on My Parade" in a classic rags-to-riches tale.

Artists like Janet Jackson and Adele have left their mark on music lovers. Miss Jackson released "Janet" (1993) with songs like "Be a Good Boy" and "This Time," in which she explores several themes from sexuality and relationships to self-discovery and social issues. Women are versatile and encompass the spectrum of human emotions. They're uncannily relatable as if they were privy to your innermost thoughts.

Women are master creators. When inspired, their music becomes ethereal. Adele captured hearts with her first album in 2008. In 2011, she released "21," a pop-soul album filled with captivating ballads. Each of the women in this list shares her unique perspectives, inviting you into their storytelling. Sometimes their music starts a dance party and sometimes it fills a dark, empty room while tears meet your pillow. These women are empowered and expressive, delivering poetry through music.

To determine the most popular albums by women, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on historical chart performance from the Billboard 200. Albums were ranked based on an inverse scoring system wherein a week at No. 1 is worth 200 points, a week at No. 2 worth 199 points, and so on, up to a week at No. 200 worth one point. Only studio albums were considered. Chart data is current through June 1, 2024. (Also See Albums That Stayed The Longest On the Billboard 200)

100. Natalie Cole, "Unforgettable: With Love" (1991)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 84 weeks

99. Barbra Streisand, "Funny Girl (Soundtrack)" (1968)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 12 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 108 weeks

98. Beyonce, "Dangerously In Love" (2003)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 102 weeks

97. Nicki Minaj, "The Pinkprint" (2015)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 3 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 123 weeks

96. P!nk, "M!ssundaztood" (2001)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 6 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 90 weeks

95. H.E.R., "H.E.R." (2017)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 23 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 180 weeks

94. Ariana Grande, "Dangerous Woman" (2016)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 154 weeks

93. P!nk, "The Truth About Love" (2012)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 94 weeks

92. Madonna, "Like A Virgin" (1984)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 109 weeks

91. The Pussycat Dolls, "PCD" (2005)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 5 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 99 weeks

90. Toni Braxton, "Toni Braxton" (1993)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 96 weeks

89. Cyndi Lauper, "She's So Unusual" (1983)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 4 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 97 weeks

88. Christina Aguilera, "Christina Aguilera" (1999)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 97 weeks

87. Gretchen Wilson, "Here For The Party" (2004)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 102 weeks

86. Mariah Carey, "Music Box" (1993)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 8 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 128 weeks

85. Lauren Daigle, "Look Up Child" (2018)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 127 weeks

84. SZA, "SOS" (2022)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 10 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 76 weeks

83. Meghan Trainor, "Title" (2015)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 107 weeks

82. Janet Jackson, "janet." (1993)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 106 weeks

81. Celine Dion, "The Colour Of My Love" (1993)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 149 weeks

80. Mary Chapin Carpenter, "Come On Come On" (1992)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 31 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 134 weeks

79. Faith Hill, "Breathe" (1999)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 103 weeks

78. LeAnn Rimes, "Blue" (1996)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 97 weeks

77. Carrie Underwood, "Carnival Ride" (2007)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 101 weeks

76. Amy Grant, "Heart In Motion" (1991)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 10 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 105 weeks

75. Enya, "A Day Without Rain" (2000)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 103 weeks

74. Tina Turner, "Private Dancer" (1984)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 11 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 106 weeks

73. Beyonce, "I Am…Sasha Fierce" (2008)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 193 weeks

72. P!nk, "Funhouse" (2008)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 115 weeks

71. Miranda Lambert, "Revolution" (2009)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 8 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 121 weeks

70. Destiny's Child, "The Writing's On The Wall" (1999)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 5 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 99 weeks

69. Jane Fonda, "Jane Fonda's Workout Record" (1982)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 15 (for 4 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 125 weeks

68. Bonnie Raitt, "Luck Of The Draw" (1991)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 120 weeks

67. Taylor Swift, "Midnights" (2022)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 83 weeks

66. Fergie, "The Dutchess" (2006)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 94 weeks

65. The Pointer Sisters, "Break Out" (1983)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 8 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 105 weeks

64. Taylor Swift, "Fearless (Taylor's Version)" (2021)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 150 weeks

63. Stevie Nicks, "Bella Donna" (1981)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 144 weeks

62. Melissa Etheridge, "Yes I Am" (1993)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 15 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 138 weeks

61. Billie Eilish, "Happier Than Ever" (2021)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 147 weeks

60. Janet Jackson, "Control" (1986)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 106 weeks

59. Halsey, "Badlands" (2015)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 158 weeks

58. Lizzo, "Cuz I Love You" (2019)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 145 weeks

57. Janet Jackson, "Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814" (1989)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 108 weeks

56. Britney Spears, "…Baby One More Time" (1999)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 103 weeks

55. Wilson Phillips, "Wilson Phillips" (1990)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 10 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 125 weeks

54. Melanie Martinez, "Cry Baby" (2015)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 6 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 195 weeks

53. Kelly Clarkson, "Breakaway" (2004)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 104 weeks

52. TLC, "CrazySexyCool" (1994)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 119 weeks

51. Spice Girls, "Spice" (1997)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 105 weeks

50. Mariah Carey, "Merry Christmas" (1994)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 123 weeks

49. Sarah McLachlan, "Surfacing" (1997)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 108 weeks

48. Mariah Carey, "Mariah Carey" (1990)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 11 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 113 weeks

47. Rihanna, "Good Girl Gone Bad" (2007)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 144 weeks

46. Madonna, "Madonna" (1983)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 8 (for 3 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 168 weeks

45. Shania Twain, "The Woman In Me" (1995)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 5 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 107 weeks

44. Taylor Swift, "Red" (2012)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 185 weeks

43. Dixie Chicks, "Fly" (1999)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 131 weeks

42. Amy Winehouse, "Back To Black" (2007)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 176 weeks

41. Jewel, "Pieces Of You" (1996)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 114 weeks

40. Lady Antebellum, "Need You Now" (2010)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 129 weeks

39. Lady Antebellum, "Lady Antebellum" (2008)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 148 weeks

38. Celine Dion, "Falling Into You" (1996)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 113 weeks

37. Ariana Grande, "Thank U, Next" (2019)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 170 weeks

36. Beyonce, "Beyonce" (2013)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 186 weeks

35. Doja Cat, "Hot Pink" (2019)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 9 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 155 weeks

34. Bonnie Raitt, "Nick Of Time" (1989)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 185 weeks

33. Dixie Chicks, "Wide Open Spaces" (1998)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 134 weeks

31. Anita Baker, "Rapture" (1986)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 11 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 157 weeks

30. Alanis Morissette, "Jagged Little Pill" (1995)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 12 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 127 weeks

29. Whitney Houston, "The Bodyguard" (1992)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 20 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 155 weeks

28. Paula Abdul, "Forever Your Girl" (1988)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 10 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 175 weeks

27. Doja Cat, "Planet Her" (2021)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 4 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 152 weeks

26. Taylor Swift, "Speak Now" (2010)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 193 weeks

25. Taylor Swift, "Red (Taylor's Version)" (2021)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 132 weeks

24. Adele, "25" (2015)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 10 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 222 weeks

23. Whitney Houston, "Whitney Houston" (1985)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 14 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 176 weeks

22. Cardi B, "Invasion Of Privacy" (2018)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 222 weeks

21. Norah Jones, "Come Away With Me" (2002)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 165 weeks

20. Taylor Swift, "Evermore" (2020)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 180 weeks

19. Carole King, "Tapestry" (1971)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 15 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 318 weeks

18. Shania Twain, "Come On Over" (1997)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 151 weeks

17. Taylor Swift, "Fearless" (2008)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 11 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 261 weeks

16. Olivia Rodrigo, "Sour" (2021)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 157 weeks

15. Adele, "19" (2008)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 222 weeks

14. Billie Eilish, "Dont Smile At Me" (2017)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 14 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 253 weeks

13. Dua Lipa, "Future Nostalgia" (2020)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 214 weeks

12. Taylor Swift, "reputation" (2017)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 295 weeks

11. Katy Perry, "Teenage Dream" (2010)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 374 weeks

10. Taylor Swift, "Folklore" (2020)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 8 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 200 weeks

9. Taylor Swift, "Taylor Swift" (2006)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 5 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 284 weeks

8. Lady Gaga, "The Fame" (2008)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 366 weeks

7. Billie Eilish, "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?" (2019)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 269 weeks

6. Rihanna, "ANTI" (2016)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 420 weeks

5. Taylor Swift, "Lover" (2019)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 248 weeks

4. SZA, "Ctrl" (2017)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 362 weeks

3. Lana Del Rey, "Born To Die" (2012)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 537 weeks

2. Adele, "21" (2011)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 24 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 604 weeks

1. Taylor Swift, "1989" (2014)

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 11 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 492 weeks