Barack Obama has been one of the most admired men in the world for over a decade now. He has been the most admired man in the world for the last 12 years. Ever since he became the president of the United States, he has grabbed the top spot. This year he shares the accolades of being the most admired man with the Donald Trump. Obama and Trump are tied this year as the most admired man.

Obama’s popularity in American remains strong as ever even three years after he left his presidential office. Jimmy Carter, another former president of the United States was ranked next to Obama & Trump.

This survey has been conducted by Gallup every year since 1948. The survey asked Americans to name the person they admire the most. Eisenhower, the former president of America has also been voted 12 times as the most admired man. Both Obama and Eisenhower seemed to enjoy great popularity even after they left their coveted offices. 

Michelle Obama is the most admired woman in the world for the second year in succession. Gallup asked the Americans, what man that you have heard or read about, living today in any part of the world, do you admire most? 18% of the people surveyed voted for Obama & Trump as the most admired man in 2019, the survey was done in December 2019. 

No other man acquired more than 2% votes in the poll. Jimmy Carter was the distant third tied with Elon Musk. Both of them garnered 2% votes. Bill Gates rounded up the 5th position with around 2% votes as well. Dalai Lama & Warren Buffett also made it to the top 10, voted as the ninth and tenth most admired man respectively.  

11% of people also voted for their friend or relative as the most admired person. 18% of them named some other person & 25% of them didn’t name anyone. Last year Barack Obama had gathered 19% votes compared to 18% this year. Donald Trump got 13% votes last year and his popularity seemed to have risen despite all the hubbub with his impeachment in the US. 

Michelle Obama got 10% votes in 2019. She topped the list of the most admired woman losing 5% votes compared to last year. Melania Trump, the first lady of the United States, was rated by 5% Americans as the most admired woman. She finished second of the list. Oprah Winfrey with 3% came third on the list, last year she finished second. Hillary Clinton, the former Presidential candidate was ranked fourth with 3% votes. 

Michelle Obama is the only lady with her vote percent in double in digits. Traditionally, the first lady has got the title of the most admired woman several times. Earlier, Eleanor Roosevelt (1948-1950 and 1952-1961), Jacqueline Kennedy (1963-1966), Mamie Eisenhower (1969-1970), Betty Ford (1978) and Hillary Clinton (2002-2017) have been the former first ladies to have been bestowed upon this honour.

Interestingly, Greta Thunberg, the 17 year old also made it to the list of the most admired woman. She grabbed the fifth spot in the list with 3% votes. Her nationality is Swedish. She has been an environmental activist and her campaign has received profuse international support. She was also the Time person of the year in 2019. An amazing feat given her age and the impact of her work so far. 

In a surprising omission, Melinda Gates doesn’t feature in the list of most admired woman this year. She has been involved in philanthropic projects as part of Bill & Melinda Gates foundation around the world. 

The world will be an enriched place with stronger leaders. People follow their leaders and the world drifts in the direction of the examples set by these powerful men and women. The horizons of our global leaders will have a great impact in infusing hope, creating a positive environment and shaping the future of our generation.