Barack and Michelle Obama voted the world's most admired man and woman
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Barack and Michelle Obama voted the world's most admired man and woman

THE FORMER US President and First Lady have been voted the two most admired people in the world.

A new YouGov poll surveyed more than 45,000 people from 42 countries about their most admired man and most admired woman, and the Obamas topped the list in both categories.

Irish-American Barack Obama, whose roots can be traced to Moneygall in County Offaly, clinched the top spot for the first time since the extensive annual poll began in 2014.

Meanwhile, Michelle Obama, who has become even more popular since releasing a book and Netflix documentary, Becoming, retained the number one spot for the second year in a row.

Former US President Barack Obama (2ndL) and First Lady Michelle Obama (L) sip Guinness at a pub as they visit Moneygall village in rural County Offaly, Ireland, where his great-great-great grandfather Falmouth Kearney hailed from. (AFP PHOTO/ JEWEL SAMAD/ Getty Images)

 

The current US President and First Lady, Donald and Melania Trump, also both made it into the top 20: Donald Trump coming in 15th place in the men's category and Melania 19th in the women's category.

According to YouGov, Barack Obama proved more popular than his successor in every country surveyed bar one-- in Russia, Mr Trump placed 11th, and Mr Obama placed 15th.

Other notable figures include Pope Francis (18th), Elon Musk (9th), Vladimir Putin (12th) and Bill Gates (2nd).

The UK's Queen Elizabeth (3rd), Hillary Clinton (13th), Malala Yousafzai (14th) and Greta Thunberg (18th) also featured int he top 20 of the Most Admired Women in the World.

In the UK alone, David Attenborough and Queen Elixabeth topped the categories, with Barack Obama and Michelle Obama being bumped down to second place.

And in Ireland, David Attenborough was named the Most Admired Man, followed by Barack Obama and Irish President Michael D Higgins; Pope Francis, Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders and Vladimir Putin also made the top 20.

Michelle Obama was again named the Most Admired Woman in Ireland, followed by Irish boxing legend Katie Taylor and former Irish President Mary Robinson.

The UK Queen, Greta Thunberg, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Hillary Clinton and Melania Trump are also in Ireland's top 20.

For the full list and breakdown by country, you can visit the YouGov poll website here.