Most Admired Men and Women in 2018

Nancy Pelosi has held public office since 1987, when she was elected to represent California’s Eighth District in Congress. The California Democrat has since held numerous prominent positions, including House Minority Whip, House Minority Leader, and Speaker of the House.

Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai became the youngest Nobel laureate when she received the Nobel Peace Prize in December 2014 for her work promoting education for females. She currently lives in the United Kingdom but continues to travel the world fighting for her cause.

Nikki Haley proved to be a strong-willed U.S. ambassador to the United Nations after her confirmation on Jan. 24, 2017. Before representing the U.S. at the U.N., Haley was the first female governor of South Carolina and the first Indian-American to serve in that role.

Comedian Ellen DeGeneres has become a television powerhouse, hosting her hugely popular talk show “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” since 2003. In addition to her numerous commercial and media accomplishments, DeGeneres was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2016 partially in recognition of her LGBT advocacy.

At 85, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is one of the oldest people on the list, and among the most resilient. The Supreme Court jurist was discharged from Sloan Kettering Cancer Center earlier this month after surgery to remove two malignant nodules in her left lung. Prior to that procedure, the top court’s oldest member had been hospitalized after she broke several ribs. Ginsburg has also endured bouts with colorectal and pancreatic cancer, and has a heart stent.