Nobel Peace Prize winner and Grameen Bank founder Professor Muhammad Yunus, now the chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, has been named to TIME magazine’s 2025 list of the 100 Most Influential People. At 84, he is also the oldest on the list.
The recognition comes in the wake of his pivotal role in steering the country towards democracy following a student-led uprising that ousted an authoritarian regime in 2024. His leadership during that uncertain period has drawn global praise, including a heartfelt tribute by former US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
“Now, Yunus has answered his country’s call once more,” Clinton wrote in TIME. “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.”
Known worldwide for championing microfinance and women’s empowerment through Grameen Bank, Yunus is no stranger to transformative change. Yet this recent chapter in his life marks a return not just to public service, but to the very heart of a nation’s struggle for democracy.
“Wherever I’ve travelled in the world,” Clinton added, “I have witnessed the extraordinary impact of his work—lives transformed, communities lifted, and hope reborn.”
Yunus now finds himself listed among influential global figures such as Donald Trump, Keir Starmer, Elon Musk, Simone Biles, Scarlett Johansson, and Lisa Su. The 2025 TIME100 list features leaders, artists, innovators, and icons from 32 countries, highlighting their roles in shaping the world through crisis, creativity, and courage.