Barack and Michelle Obama top list of the world’s most-admired public figures

YouGov, the global public opinion and data company, just dropped their list of the top 20 men and women people around the world admire, and the results might surprise you.

According to the YouGov website, this year’s study surveyed more than 42,000 people in 38 countries and territories in order to compile the list.

At the top of their own respective lists are power couple Michelle and Barack Obama.

The former first lady is followed in order by: Angelina Jolie, Queen Elizabeth II, Oprah Winfrey, Scarlett Johansson, Emma Watson, Taylor Swift, Angela Merkel, Malala Yousafzai and Priyanka Chopra.

As for the former POTUS, below him you’ll find a surprising mix of people, including Time’s 2021 Person of the Year.

The ranking is as follows: Bill Gates, Xi Jinping, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jackie Chan, Elon Musk, Lionel Messi, Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin, and Jack Ma.

Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter

According to the site, Barack Obama’s position as the most admirable man dethroned long-time incumbent Bill Gates from last year.

Michelle Obama on the other hand has held on to her position as world’s most admired woman for an impressive three year run.

In fact, YouGov also noted that the top three spots for each sex are unchanged since last year, with business mogul Gates remaining second among men, followed by Chinese premier Xi Jinping.

For women, actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie continues to be the world’s second-most admired woman, ahead of third placed monarch Queen Elizabeth II.

Do you agree with this list?