Donald Trump, Melania Among World Most Admired People Of 2021

KEY POINTS

Both Trumps climbed up several positions from last year
The Obamas retained their positions as the most admirable people in the world
The poll results come as a House select committee investigates whether former President Trump could face criminal charges for the Capitol riot

Former President Donald Trump and ex-First Lady Melania Trump were among the most admired people in 2021, according to a new poll.

In a 2021 YouGov America poll released Tuesday, Donald Trump was listed as the 13th most admired male person this year, up from the 15th position last year. His wife, Melania, secured the 16th position this year, up by three positions from last year.

Donald Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama retained their top position as the world’s most admired man and the world’s most admired woman in the international survey. Barack had dethroned Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates from the top position last year. This year, Gates retained his position as the second most admired man. Michelle, meanwhile, has held on the top position for the third consecutive year.

Chinese President Xi Jinping retained his last year's third position.

Among women, actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie followed Michelle Obama, putting her ahead of third-placed British monarch Queen Elizabeth II.

At the bottom of the top 20 most admired people in the 2021 list were President Joe Biden and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

This year’s YouGov survey polled more than 42,000 participants across 38 countries and territories, including Colombia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines and South Africa.

The poll results come as a House select committee investigating the events that led to the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riot suggested that Donald Trump could face charges for “corruptly” obstructing or impeding an official congressional proceeding.

“Did Donald Trump, through action or inaction, corruptly seek to obstruct or impede Congress's official proceeding to count electoral votes?" Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., said Monday, as quoted by The Business Insider. "Mr. Meadows' testimony will inform our legislative judgments on those issues."

The committee Monday released a series of text messages from Trump Jr., the former president’s eldest son, and several Fox News personalities to ex-chief of staff Mark Meadows where they begged the latter to urge Donald Trump to condemn the violence at the Capitol.

The riot, led by MAGA supporters, began after then-president Trump encouraged his followers to march to the Capitol to “stop the steal” of the election. Five people died as a result of the riot.