Most Admired List: Obama, Hilary Clinton remain America's most admired but who else joined them for 2013?

By Jobs & Hire Staff Reporter | Dec 31, 2013 04:10 PM EST

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Gallup's top 10 most admired world figures has been once again topped by President Barack Obama and 12-year-mainstay former Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton. 

Obama has been No. 1 on the men's list for the past five years since first appearing in 2008, as have most American presidents in the past since Gallup first surveying Americans in 1946 for the "most admired man." Hilary Clinton has topped the "most admired woman" list for 12 straight years and has been on the list for 22 times in all.

Despite keeping their places on the list, their actual numbers took a massive dive from last year's poll. Obama's votes dropped to 16 percent from the 30 percent in 2012 while Clinton's went from 21 to 15 percent, according to a poll participated by 1,031 Americans.

Obama's disappointing results could be attributed to several issues including the general Washington drama, Obamacare fiasco and the leaking on government snooping by Edward Snowden earlier this year. 

Clinton's decreased popularity could be explained by the fact that the former Secretary of State took the year off after retiring from her position and declined to engage in preparation for a possible presidential campaign.

Other names on Gallup's most admired list included actor Clint Eastwood, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, retired Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, Microsoft head Bill Gates, former President Jimmy Carter and 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney, all of whom got one percent each.

Rounding up second place in the men's most admired list are Pope Francis and former President George W. Bush. President Bush's numbers doubled from last year's poll while Pope Francis' popularity is expected to increase even more in the future with his achievements in 2013.

Completing the list of most admired men by Americans are Rev. Billy Graham and President Bill Clinton. Veteran Rev. Graham currently holds the most number of Gallup poll mentions for most admired man, with 57 mentions on the list and by far the most anyone has been on it.

For the women's list, Oprah Winfrey took home second place with 6 percent, just a few votes ahead of President Obama's first lady Michelle Obama who received 5 percent of the votes.

Four of the top six women mentioned on the most admired list are from minorities, including Ms. Winfrey, First Lady Obama, Pakistani youth education activist Malala Yousafzai and previous Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

The last four on the list each received 1 percent of the votes and they include, actress Angelina Jolie, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Duchess Kate Middleton and Queen Elizabeth II.  

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