For the 17th time ever, Hillary Clinton is the "Most Admired Woman" in the world—a superlative she has retained consecutively since 2002, according to a poll released by Gallup. President Obama is Clinton's "Most Admired" male counterpart for the fifth year in a row.
When asked in open-ended questions, 30% of Americans polled offered Obama's name as their most admired man. The names of American political figures dominated the spread—Mitt Romney, both George Bushes, Bill Clinton, Ron Paul, and John McCain—leaving three religious figures—Rev. Billy Graham, Pope Benedict XVI, and the Dalai Lama. Former South African President Nelson Mandela was second on the list with 3% of mentions. Businessmen, like past finalists Warren Buffet, Donald Trump, and Bill Gates, notably did not make 2012's top rankings.
On the female side, names from across the world were suggested, with Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Condoleeza Rice, and Sarah Palin from the U.S.; Queen Elizabeth II, Margaret Thatcher, and Kate Middleton from the U.K.; Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan; and Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma.
Hillary Clinton won a commanding lead, with 21% of total mentions to runner up Michelle Obama's 5%.