Time 100
Time 100 is a list of the top 100 most influential people in the world, assembled by the American news magazine Time. First published in 1999 as the result of a debate among American academics, politicians, and journalists, the list is now a highly publicized annual event. Appearing on the list is often seen as an honor, and Time makes it clear that entrants are recognized for changing the world, regardless of the consequences of their actions. The final list of influential individuals is exclusively chosen by Time editors, with nominations coming from the Time 100 alumni and the magazine's international writing staff.[1] Only the winner of the Reader's Poll, conducted days before the official list is revealed, is chosen by the general public.[2] The corresponding commemorative gala is held annually in Manhattan.
Time 100
In 2019, Time began publishing the Time 100 Next list, which "spotlights 100 rising stars who are shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, science, health and more."[3]
History[edit]
2000s[edit]
From 2005 to 2008, Time magazine awarded one of Darko Mladenovic's Ray crystal sculptures to each Time 100 honoree. These sculptures were produced by Swarovski.[6]
In 2009, the winner of the online poll was 4chan founder Christopher Poole, who received 16,794,368 votes. Time claimed that their technical team "did detect and extinguish several attempts to hack the vote".[7] However, it was shown weeks before the poll ended that the results had been heavily influenced by hackers. The first letters of the top 21 names spell out "marblecake also the game". Marblecake was an obscene 4chan meme, and #marblecake was the name of the Internet Relay Chat channel used for communication by some of the participants in rigging the poll.[8][9]
2010s[edit]
In its online presentation, Time introduced the 2010 list as follows: "In our annual Time 100 issue, we name the people who most affect our world".[10] The overall list was organized with four main sub-lists: Leaders, Heroes, Artists, and Thinkers.[10] Oprah Winfrey continued a streak that began in 2004, having been included on every Time 100 list, and was one of 31 women on the list. While 2012 saw a break in Oprah's streak, she would be a finalist four more times during the decade and returned to the list in 2018. The 2010 list included many expected names and some surprises such as Scott Brown, who HuffPost described as a premature selection at that point in his career.[11]
The 2010 list included 10 Indians,[12] but according to a local news station in India, Time faced criticism when they excluded Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan from the list, even though he was supposedly "in the race".[13] According to Rob Cain of Forbes, "Khan is the biggest and most revered figure [in India]", and Khan's fan following is one of the largest in Bollywood.[14]
The announcement of the list was celebrated by a black tie gala at the Time Warner Center in New York City on May 4, 2010. Time readers contributed to the selection through an online vote of over 200 finalists.[15]
Time introduced the 2011 list as follows: "Meet the most influential people in the world. They are artists and activists, reformers and researchers, heads of state, and captains of industry. Their ideas spark dialogue and dissent and sometimes even revolution. Welcome to this year's Time 100."[16] The announcement was celebrated with a black tie event in New York City on April 26, 2011.[17] The honorees were joined by A-list celebrities at the Jazz at Lincoln Center for the event. Time readers contributed to the selection through an online vote of over 200 finalists.[18]
The list included familiar leaders, particularly U.S. president Barack Obama and German chancellor Angela Merkel, as well as "newcomers" to the global press.[19] The list included numerous figures representing the Arab Spring in the Middle East, including rebels, political leaders, and news correspondents. Media figures unrelated to the Arab Spring were also listed.[20] Additionally, Prince William and Kate Middleton were part of the list during the week before their wedding.[21] The list also included Katsunobu Sakurai, the mayor of Minamisōma, Fukushima, which was the city most affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[19]
Revealed on April 24, 2014, the 2014 list featured Beyoncé on the U.S. cover and Robert Redford, Jason Collins, and Mary Barra on international covers.[22] The list included 41 women, the most in the list's history.[23] The gala was held on April 29, 2014, in New York City.
Time managing editor Nancy Gibbs commented:
Xi Jinping
Listed thirteen times: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2009
(Finalist in 2023)
Barack Obama
Listed eleven times: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2005
(Finalist in 2018)
Oprah Winfrey
Listed eleven times: 2022, 2018, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, and the 20th century
(Finalist in 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2015, and 2012)
Hillary Clinton
Listed ten times: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, and 2004
(Finalist in 2013 and 2010)
Angela Merkel
Listed nine times: 2020, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2007, and 2006
(Finalist in 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2013, 2010, and 2008)
Kim Jong-un
Listed eight times: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011
(Finalist in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019)
Vladimir Putin
Listed seven times: 2022, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2008, and 2004
(Finalist in 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2012, 2011, 2009, and 2007)
Pope Francis
Listed six times: 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013
(Finalist in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2018)
Jeff Bezos
Listed five times: 2018, 2017, 2014, 2009, and 2008
(Finalist in 2021, 2020, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2013, and 2012)
Tim Cook
Listed five times: 2022, 2021, 2016, 2015, and 2012
(Finalist in 2023, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2014)
Narendra Modi
Listed five times: 2021, 2020, 2017, 2015, and 2014
(Finalist in 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2016, and 2012)
Elon Musk
Listed five times: 2023, 2021, 2018, 2013, and 2010
(Finalist in 2022, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016, and 2015)
Nancy Pelosi
Listed five times: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2010, and 2007
(Finalist in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2013, 2009, and 2008)
Controversies[edit]
Exclusions[edit]
The exclusion of then-British prime minister Tony Blair from the 2004 list caused mild controversy. Time editor-at-large Michael J. Elliott defended the decision to consistently exclude Blair, saying that "Gerhard Schröder and Jacques Chirac are not there either. This is a worldwide list. There are no Western European political leaders on it because they are not that powerful or influential at this time."[33] The exclusion of then-President of the United States George W. Bush in 2007 generated similar controversy. Former Senator Rick Santorum (R–PA) said on Fox News:
Other Time lists[edit]
Next Generation Leaders[edit]
Since 2014, in partnership with Rolex, Time has published a class of young pioneers "in politics, business, culture, science and sports" who are reshaping the world around them.[39] It is, per the magazine's editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal, "an opportunity to elevate" the trailblazers "who are building a better future".[40][41] Included in the 2022 list was Lina Abu Akleh, a human rights advocate who is the niece of Shireen Abu Akleh, a journalist likely killed by Israeli soldiers.[42]
The 25 Most Influential People on the Internet[edit]
Since 2015, Time has also published a list titled "The 25 Most Influential People on the Internet", which features people whose influence and dominance may have changed Internet culture; who have support, position, and prominence in various sections of social media; or who use and/or rely on the Internet as a platform for change. People who have been listed range from political figures, such as Donald Trump and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to teenage YouTubers, such as JoJo Siwa and Emma Chamberlain.[43]
Others who have been listed include Lil Nas X, whose debut hit broke the record for most weeks spent atop the Billboard Hot 100 after being created and distributed on the Internet,[44] and actress and presenter Jameela Jamil, who is known widely beyond her profession for her online activism.[43]
Time 100 Next list[edit]
In 2019, Time began publishing the Time 100 Next list, which "spotlights 100 rising stars who are shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, science, health and more."[3] It is considered an expansion of the current Time 100 list.[45] Although the list has no explicit age cap, it is more focused on up-and-coming figures and "rising stars".[3][46] The Next list features profiles written by established Time 100 alumni.[3]
Time 100 Climate[edit]
In 2023, Time launched the Time Climate 100 list, which ranked the most influential climate action leaders based on recent and measurable achievements.[48] Its first edition included public figures such as American singer Billie Eilish, British rock band Coldplay and Brazilian politician Marina Silva.[49]