Skip to content
City PM
  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • DE
  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • DE
Thursday 18 July 2019 4:55 pm  |  Updated:  Thursday 18 July 2019 4:57 pm

David Attenborough and the Queen remain British public’s most admired figures

By: Alex Daniel

Add as a preferred source on Google
LONDON - MAY 02: Sir David Attenborough launches National Moth Recording Scheme at London Zoo on May 2, 2007 in London. The scheme is run by Butterfly Conversation, funded by a grant of 806,000GBP from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Thousands of volunteers will be enlisted over the next four years to help record the moth population in the Britain. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

The people have spoken, and they remain unmoved: David Attenborough and the Queen have emerged as Britain’s most admired public figures for the second year running.

According to an annual Yougov poll, the documentary maker is far-and-away the most admired man in the UK, romping to victory with the backing of a quarter of voters. 

Read more: Barack and Michelle Obama sign podcast deal with Spotify

His 25.8 per cent score was more than 10 percentage points higher than his nearest challenger, second-place former US President Barack Obama.

It was a good outing for the Obamas, with former first lady Michelle coming second on the list of most admired women, too.

The royal family remain among Britain’s most admired figures (Getty)

Queen Elizabeth II secured 22.6 per cent of the vote, ahead of Michelle Obama’s 13 per cent.

Actor Judi Dench, novelist JK Rowling and young women’s rights activist Malala Yousafzai rounded off the top five most admired women.

Read more

Royal Ascot worth £140m to UK economy

Breaking news scene with journalists and cameras outside a government building, capturing a press conference in progress.

Prince William, Prince Harry and Microsoft founder Bill Gates came in third, fourth and fifth for the men.

Michelle Obama and Bill Gates ‘most admired people in the world’

Among voters around the world, Gates remains the world’s most admired man, having topped the list every time YouGov has conducted the survey. 

This year’s study expanded to cover the views of people in 41 countries – the most ever – with more than 42,000 people being interviewed to compile the list.

Michelle Obama was voted the world’s most admired woman (Getty)

The world’s top five men remain unchanged since last year. Barack Obama comes in second, and the third to fifth places are all occupied by Chinese figures: actor Jackie Chan in third, Chinese President Xi Jinping in fourth and businessman Jack Ma in fifth.

Read more: Michelle Obama’s Becoming memoir sells 10m copies

The top twenty most admired women sees five new faces this year. Two are married to the world leaders: Melania Trump and Chinese singer Peng Liyuan, who is the wife of President Xi Jinping. They are joined by Chinese scientist Tu Youyou, Indian actress Sushmita Sen and US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

Main image: Getty

Read more

Intertek to quit FTSE 100 after agreeing £11bn EQT takeover

Londons Stock Exchange orb with FTSE 100 display, symbolizing business and market updates

Share this article

  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Similarly tagged content:

Sections

  • Jobs and Money

Categories

  • Personal Development

Trending Articles

  • Burnham tax plans spark investor rush to bank capital gains

  • Nothing fails to file accounts months after dissolution threat

  • I’ve taken the best train trips in the world. Here are my 5 favourites

  • Cruyff turn: Starmer allows pubs to stay open for England World Cup game

  • Nottingham Forest owner Marinakis announces £210m stadium plans

More from City PM

  • Royal Ascot worth £140m to UK economy

    Sport Business
    Breaking news scene with journalists and cameras outside a government building, capturing a press conference in progress.
  • Intertek to quit FTSE 100 after agreeing £11bn EQT takeover

    Markets
    Londons Stock Exchange orb with FTSE 100 display, symbolizing business and market updates
  • Integreon Names Krishna Nacha CEO

    Business Wire
  • Andy Burnham: being all things to all men will end up letting everyone down

    Opinion
    Andy Burnham speaking at a Labour Party event, addressing current political issues, with a focused and determined expression.
  • Could The Billingsgate Roman Bathhouse win a Toast award?

    Life&Style
  • Fenchurch Advisory Partners to Combine With Broadhaven Capital Partners, Creating the Preeminent International Investment Bank Serving the Financial Services Sector

    Business Wire
  • West Ham sponsor Boyle Sports ‘extremely concerned’ by David Sullivan allegations

    Sport Business
    Getty Images logo on a smartphone screen with a blurred background, representing media and photography business industry.
  • Bank of England should hold interest rates, City PM Shadow MPC says

    Economics
    Bailey Boe in professional attire speaking at a business conference with a presentation screen in the background.

City PM — European politics, business and analysis.

Europe

  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • UK & Ireland

Topics

  • Business
  • Markets
  • AI
  • Technology
  • Opinion
  • Energy

More

  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Fintech
  • Legal
  • Sport
  • Life

Company

  • About City PM
  • Editorial Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
© 2026 City PM · Published by CityPM Media, Bahnhofstrasse 65, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
About · Editorial Policy · Corrections · Contact · Privacy