Since 1946, Gallup has asked Americans, using an
open-ended question, to name the man and woman living anywhere in the world
whom they admire most:
Hillary Clinton is most admired woman for 17th time in 18 years
Barack Obama is most admired man for 7th year in a row
Billy Graham makes top 10 list for a record 58th time
What I found very interesting was the overall leaderboard since 1946 in terms of top 10 finishes. The women are led by Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher, twin leading ladies of the UK. The US is led by Billy Graham and then Ronald Reagan.
Length of time on the international and national stage clearly influences the ability to stay in the top 10 for prolonged periods of time, but then that keeps them top of mind.
I am not sure I know the names well enough to cast my own judgement on the strengths and weaknesses of the list. But it is worth considering that there are insights into the national psyche that run deeper than just the 2014 lists.
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