11 Anton Zeilinger, Quantum Physicist and Nobel Laureate
(Re-Entry) He was the first scientist to successfully transfer the quantum state of a light particle to another. Quantum teleportation is a discovery that changes our understanding of the world and the universe and is the basis for technological innovations such as quantum computers.
12 Lionel Messi, Soccer Player
(NEW) He was named FIFA World Player of the Year eight times, took part in five FIFA World Cups and is considered one of the best soccer players of all time. Lionel Messi achieved what no one had ever done before: He made soccer a mass sport in the U.S. and led Inter Miami, the club founded by David Beckham, to the top.
13 Lior Raz, Schauspieler & Produzent
(NEW) He served in an Israeli special forces unit and experienced the everyday madness of war and terror first hand. Disillusioned, Lior Raz moved to the United States, became a bodyguard for #32 on this list, went back to Tel Aviv and began writing the script for “Fauda”. A series that, like no other, poignantly but also brutally describes the tragedy and hopelessness of the Middle East. Starring Lior Raz.
14 Pamela Anderson, Actress
(NEW) She was known as the “sex symbol” of the 1990s – an image she carefully cultivated – starred in Baywatch and regularly made headlines. But she only found her true calling after the age of 50. Pamela Anderson is an animal rights activist, a vegan and at some point stopped using make-up. Since then, she has been celebrated by women around the world as a role model and “icon of authenticity”. She regularly visited Julian Assange in exile in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and even ran marathons to raise money for Haiti relief. In “The Last Showgirl”, Pamela Anderson celebrated a brilliant comeback alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, to the acclaim of critics and audiences alike. A strong woman who has found her place in the world.
15 Marina Abramović, Artist
(NEW) Her performances are spectacular, her conceptual art can be found in the leading museums of the world. Kunsthaus Zürich is hosting Switzerland’s first Marina Abramović retrospective, which runs until mid-February 2025. Her first museum exhibition in China, ‚Transforming Energy‘, is also on display at MAM Shanghai and will continue until the end of February. This exhibition was inspired by one of Abramović’s most iconic performances: her 1988 walk along the Great Wall of China with German artist Ulay. The grande dame of art is inspiring the world more than ever with her work.
16 Yuval Harari, Author
(17) The Israeli historian and best-selling author has become a valuable voice in the chaotic war in the Middle East. Barack Obama called him an inspiration, Emmanuel Macron met with him to exchange ideas, Bill Gates is inspired by his books. A man gives hope. In times like these, more important than ever.
17 Holly Herndon, AI Artist
(20) The pioneer of AI art is inspiring the art world with a spectacular installation at London’s Serpentine Galleries. The Call, a collaboration with Mat Dryhurst and Serpentine Arts Technologies, proposes new cultural, legal and technical rituals for art in the age of AI. The focus is on creating choral AI models. To train the AI, songbooks, vocal exercises, and a recording protocol were compiled and fifteen choirs in the UK were recorded. The work offers a new insight into the networked and collective nature of human creation in the 21st century. Visionary.
18 Bjarke Ingels, Architect
(Re-Entry) He is one of the most inspiring and innovative architects of our time, for whom sustainable construction is at the heart of his work: whether it’s a wooden structure for the Skypark Business Center at Luxembourg Airport or CO2-reduced concrete for the headquarters of his own Bjarke Ingels Group in Copenhagen. Environmental and resource conservation are central pillars of his designs. Probably his most inspiring project: the Danish architect created the River Ring in New York as an iconic riverside promenade. A former industrial site is being converted into much-needed living space with over 1,000 residential units, creating a continuous public riverside promenade in North Brooklyn that also provides protection against flooding. The green technology used is designed to create independence from the City’s sewer, stormwater and electrical grid. A visionary.
19 Chris Martin, Singer
(NEW) He writes songs that stand the test of time. His last hit “All My Love” touched and inspired millions – and even more so did the music video for the song, with #38 on this list. With Coldplay, Chris Martin has changed the global music scene. The band fills stadiums, yet remains down to earth. Chris Martin uses his popularity to address important issues of our time, supporting organizations such as Oxfam and Amnesty International, helping out in homeless shelters, and advocating for refugee relief and fair trade. He has already announced that Coldplay will call it quits after the 12th album, but let’s hope the band changes its mind.
20 The Weeknd, SInger
(Re-Entry) His hit “Blinding Lights” is the most-streamed song of all time on Spotify, with over four billion views. Written before the first lockdown of the coronavirus pandemic, its prophetic lyrics are chilling. In cooperation with Apple, Abel Makkonen Tesfaye aka The Weeknd released an immersive music experience, “Open Hearts”, in the fall of 2024: ultra-high-resolution 3D videos with a 180° field of view and 3D audio to put viewers at the center of the action. An innovation that revolutionizes the way we experience music. The Weeknd inspires a whole generation of young people with his music and his vision. According to Variety, the Canadian donates millions of dollars to humanitarian and charitable causes every year. Strong guy.
21 Ólafur Elíasson, Artist
(Re-Entry) Is changing the way we look at art with his monumental show “OPEN” at MOCA L.A. Installations as a dazzling sensory experience that makes use of the laws of geometric optics to address feelings and concepts of embodiment and perception.
22 Yael Bartana, Artist
(NEW) Rarely has a work of art touched so many people. Yael Bartana was the star of the 60th Venice Biennale, where she presented an apocalyptic vision of our future. In “Light to the Nation”, the Israeli multimedia artist, who lives in Berlin and Amsterdam, created a generation ship as a symbol of the collision of dystopian and utopian concepts in the context of ideological nationality. More relevant than ever.
23 Meryl Streep, Actress
(Re-Entry) At 75 more in demand than ever: Meryl Streep is and remains without doubt the best actress of our time.
24 Narges Mohammadi, Human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate
(2) It is a fight that seems hopeless. But she fights it with conviction and courage to shine a light on the oppression of women in Iran. Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian human rights activist, was arrested a total of 13 times and convicted nine times. In December 2024, she was temporarily released after more than three years in prison to receive medical treatment for a tumor. She has no intention of giving up her fight for women’s rights. All her life, she fought against a regime that oppresses people. In 2023, she received the Nobel Peace Prize for it. A strong woman. A heroine of our time.
25 Lauren Halsey, Artist
(77) She thrilled visitors at the Venice Biennale with her column-like installation. Lauren Halsey’s works merge past, present and future through her interest in iconography associated with the African diaspora, black and queer icons and architecture. emajendat, the artist’s first solo exhibition in the UK, transforms the Serpentine South Gallery into an immersive “Funk Garden” until the end of February, filled with vibrant foliage, colorful collages and life-size figures frozen in the act of everyday life. Monumental.
26 Nipun Mehta, ServiceSpace founder
(33) Silicon Valley’s social impact star develops “heart intelligence” as a counterweight to AI. Fantastic.
27 Yorgos Lanthimos, Director
(NEW) Continued his run of success with “Kinds of Kindness” after “Poor Things”. Brilliantly weird.
28 Dua Lipa, Singer
(NEW) Founded the platform Service95 to promote humanitarian causes. Strong.
29 Hector Esrawe, Designer
(Re-entry) He designs iconic objects and furniture, interior design that looks like it came from another world.
30 Gerhard Richter, Art Titan
(NEW) His adopted hometown of Düsseldorf is celebrating him at the Museum Kunstpalast. World artist.
NEXT PAGES: Numbers 31-100