Dr Yunus named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025

Professor Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, has been named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2025. 

This recognition follows his key role in guiding Bangladesh towards democracy after last year's student uprising.

He is also the oldest person to be included on the list.

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in a Time tribute, praised Yunus for his leadership during this crucial time. 

"After a student-led uprising toppled Bangladesh's authoritarian prime minister last year, a known leader stepped up to guide the nation toward democracy: Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus," she wrote.

The article highlighted Yunus' pioneering work with Grameen Bank, which provided microloans to impoverished communities, especially women. 

"Decades earlier, Yunus established the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh to empower the most marginalized communities through small loans, helping millions — 97% of them women — build businesses, sustain their families, and reclaim their dignity," Clinton said.

Hillary Clinton also recalled their personal connection and Yunus' global impact. 

"I first met Yunus when he traveled to Arkansas to help then governor Bill Clinton and me set up similar programs in the US Since then, wherever I've traveled in the world, I have witnessed the extraordinary impact of his work—lives transformed, communities lifted, and hope reborn," she said.

Yunus is now recognised for his current efforts to rebuild democratic institutions and protect civil liberties in Bangladesh. 

"Now, Yunus has answered his country's call once more. As he shepherds Bangladesh out of the shadows of oppression, he is restoring human rights, demanding accountability, and laying the foundations for a just and free society," Clinton wrote.

The Time 100 list honours influential figures worldwide for their impact and leadership.

In an article on how the individuals were chosen for the list, TIME wrote, "The The 2025 TIME100, in partnership with our Official Timekeeper Rolex, will be our biggest yet, including a daylong summit with interviews with world leaders, and our annual gala, which will be broadcast on May 4 on ABC in the US and stream around the world on Hulu. This year, as we continue to develop TIME's signature leadership platform, we'll introduce two new TIME100 franchises: one focused on philanthropy and the other on digital creators."

The list includes six members of the Donald Trump administration, the largest contingent from a political administration since Barack Obama arrived in Washington in 2009.

"This year's group also includes 16 corporate CEOs, a record, and a sign of the emergence of a class of business leaders who are filling a leadership void. It includes nine leaders who are fighting for justice, equality, and democracy, at a moment when the rights of so many are at stake. Members of the list come from 32 countries. The youngest is 22-year-old Léon Marchand, a French swimmer who dominated the Paris Olympics. The oldest is Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate who, at 84, was sworn in last summer to lead Bangladesh's interim government," it wrote.

The list is divided into five categories: Artists, Icons, Leaders, Pioneers and Innovators. CA Yunus was placed as one of the most influential leaders of this year.

Highlights from the 2025 TIME100:

Women on this year's list include Simone Biles, Scarlett Johansson, Serena Williams, Kristen Bell, Rashida Jones, Blake Lively, Nikki Glaser, Bobbi Brown, Sandra Díaz, Wendy Freedman, Reshma Kewalramani, Ismahane Elouafi, Fatou Baldeh, Julie Burkhart, Noa Argamani, Bonnie Y Chan, Lisa Su, and others.

The list features world leaders and US political figures include Donald Trump, Elon Musk, JD Vance, Claudia Sheinbaum, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Javier Milei, Keir Starmer, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., María Corina Machado, Friedrich Merz, Duma Boko, Teresa Ribera, Howard Lutnick, Russell Vought, Ahmed al-Sharaa, Lee Jae-myung, Muhammad Yunus, and more.

Over a dozen entertainers are featured on this year's list, including Scarlett Johansson, Snoop Dogg, Ed Sheeran, Kristen Bell, Adrien Brody, Blake Lively, Rosé, Nicole Scherzinger, Jon M. Chu, Danielle Deadwyler, Demi Moore, Lorne Michaels, Nikki Glaser, Adam Scott, Kristen Wiig, Diego Luna, Daniel Dae Kim, Hiroyuki Sanada, Mohammad Rasoulof, Hozier, Myles Smith, Yoshiki, and more.

Athletes on this year's list include Simone Biles, Serena Williams, Breanna Stewart, Jalen Hurts, Léon Marchand, and Napheesa Collier.

Fashion, visual and literary arts icons featured include Miuccia Prada, Yoshitomo Nara, Mickalene Thomas, Annabelle Selldorf, Ma Yansong, Willy Chavarria, Percival Everett, Amy Griffin, Miranda July, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Kwame Onwuachi, Chutatip "Nok" Suntaranon, and more, as well as media figures including David Muir, Megyn Kelly, and Joe Rogan.

Business, technology and innovation leaders featured include: Mark Zuckerberg, Ted Sarandos, Larry Fink, Alex Karp, Andrew Forrest, Doug McMillon, Ed Bastian, Lisa Su, Bobbi Brown, Bonnie Y Chan, Reshma Kewalramani, Dario Amodei, Tim Cadogan, Mo Abudu, Stephen J. Squeri, Liang Wenfeng, and more.

Donald Trump is on the list for the 7th time, more than any other person on the list this year. Other repeats include: Elon Musk (6), Mark Zuckerberg (5), Serena Williams (3), Lorne Michaels (3), Simone Biles (3), Kristen Wiig (2), Ed Sheeran (2), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (2), Demis Hassabis (2), Scarlett Johansson (2), Megyn Kelly (2), Blake Lively (2), Javier Milei (2), Miuccia Prada (2), Joe Rogan (2), and Ted Sarandos (2).

Olympic swimmer Léon Marchand, 22 years old, is the youngest person on this year's list. The oldest person on this year's list is Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus,  who is 84 years old. 

Other notable tribute writers include: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Bill Gates, Alicia Keys, Malala Yousafzai, Shaboozey, Stella McCartney, Alex Morgan, Idris Elba, Lara Trump, Summer McIntosh, Marco Rubio, Ashton Kutcher, Charlamagne tha God, and more.