The Obamas dominate as the most admired people in the U.S.

Although the Obamas are no longer in the White House, they are still the most admired people in America.

According to a recent survey conducted by YouGov, Barack Obama is the most admired man in the U.S. and Michelle Obama is the most admired woman. The former First Lady also dethroned Angelina Jolie as the most admired woman in the world.

The survey asked over 42,000 people in 41 countries who they admire most, both in their own country and around the world.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama react to the crowd during an unveiling ceremony for their portraits at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, U.S., February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Bourg
Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama react to the crowd during an unveiling ceremony for their portraits at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, U.S., February 12, 2018. (Photo: REUTERS/Jim Bourg)

The most admired people in the world

An overwhelming number of people on the list are political figures or married to one. Athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi made the global list, along with business moguls like Elon Musk and Warren Buffett.

Trailing Obama among the most admired men in the U.S. are President Donald Trump, film director Clint Eastwood, billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and actor Dwayne Johnson.

The most admired people in the world. (Source: YouGov)
The most admired people in the world. (Source: YouGov)

Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders were also among the top 10, along with the Dalai Lama, Pope Francis, and actor Will Smith.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was right behind Michelle Obama among most admired women, followed by First Lady Melania Trump, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, and Queen Elizabeth II.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg speaks about her work and gender equality during a panel discussion at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, Tuesday, July 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg speaks about her work and gender equality during a panel discussion at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, Tuesday, July 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Bill Gates came in as the world’s most admired man yet again, with Barack Obama right behind him. Prominent Chinese figures Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma and President Xi Jinping, along with actor Jackie Chan, rounded out the top five.

Among most admired women in the world after Michelle Obama came talk show host Oprah Winfrey, humanitarian Angelina Jolie, Queen Elizabeth II, and actress Emma Watson.

Adriana is an associate editor for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @adrianambells.

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