Americans Pick 50 Most Admired Men, Women

By Audrey Barrick, Christian Post Reporter Saturday, January 06, 2007

Americans ranked the 50 most admired people in the world in a recent Gallup poll. And topping the list is President George W. Bush.

Bush was rated as the most admired man by 13 percent of Americans. With presidents usually listed as the most admired, this is Bush's sixth time leading the rankings.

The Rev. Billy Graham finished in the top 10 for a record 50th time. The evangelist was ranked fifth this year behind former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

Graham has preached to over 210 million people around the world and is continuing his ministry through television and the upcoming Billy Graham Library. He is currently deciding where he and his wife Ruth will be buried. The 88-year-old evangelist suffers from Parkinson's disease among other ailments while his wife, 86, is bedridden with degeneration of the spine.

Men finishing in the top 10 list include Colin Powell, Pope Benedict XVI, Nelson Mandela tied with George H.W. Bush, and Bill Gates.

Topping the most admired women list is Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., who finished first for the 11th time. Following Clinton are Oprah Winfrey, Condoleezza Rice, Laura Bush and Margaret Thatcher.

Of the 58 most admired women, 20 have been former first ladies, 18 have been sitting first ladies, 14 have been politicians, and 6 have been humanitarians.

More women than men voted for Winfrey in their choice for most admired woman. Women also included actress Angelina Jolie, who finished sixth, in their list. Following Jolie, Nancy Pelosi, Madeleine Albright, Barbara Bush and Maya Angelou rounded out the top 10.

Survey results are based on telephone interviews with 1,010 adults, conducted Dec. 11-14, 2006.