Russian leader Vladimir Putin has raced up the popularity charts of world figures jumping past the likes of Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama.
The controversial former KGB agent has been voted sixth in a list of the most admired men in the world during 2016.
Despite backing the despotic regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, Putin, according to the poll conducted by YouGov, has stormed up the list of most admired men.
Microsoft boss Bill Gates is the most admired man in the world followed by US President Barack Obama. Chinese leader Xi Jinping is third while actor Jackie Chan is fourth.
Physicist Stephen Hawkin is the fifth most popular man in the world, followed by Putin.
In the women’s section, Angelina Jolie is the most admired female, followed by Queen Elizabeth II and Hillary Clinton. Sandra Bullock comes tenth.
Freddie Sayers of YouGov said: ‘The most admired people in the world right now combine celebrity across all continents with reputations for humanitarian work and doing good.
‘Neither of the top spots are taken by political leaders.
‘The top twenty lists are mostly filled with an eclectic mix of stars from the worlds of entertainment and sports, with a smattering of British royals, resistance fighters and a couple of surprise old favourites (Billy Graham and Celine Dion).
‘It’s a unique window onto the shared values of humanity in 2016.’
Last year, Putin was 11th on the list, behind former Preston North End loan signing David Beckham.
Nobel peace prize winner Malala Yousafzai has fallen in popularity from second in the female list to seventh, behind Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama and Canadian singer Celine Dion.
YouGov surveyed people across 30 different countries.
Courtesy Daily Mail
