The 10 Most Influential Figures of the 21st Century

Steve Jobs, born Steven Paul Jobs, was the co-founder, chairman, and former CEO of Apple Inc. Known for revolutionizing technology, Jobs and Apple became synonymous with innovation in the 21st century. Born on February 24, 1955, in San Francisco, California, Jobs was adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs. Although he attended Reed College briefly, he dropped out due to the high tuition fees, but continued auditing classes, including a calligraphy course, which influenced the elegant fonts seen on Apple products. Jobs had a deep passion for technology, gaining early experience working for Hewlett-Packard and Atari. In 1976, along with Steve Wozniak, Jobs co-founded Apple in a garage, a milestone that changed the world. Apple's superior computers, operating systems, and especially the iPhone, which transformed mobile technology, have left a lasting global impact. Despite setbacks, including being ousted from Apple, Jobs returned to lead the company to unprecedented success. He passed away on October 5, 2011, after battling cancer, but his legacy remains immortalized. TIME magazine honored him five times between 2004 and 2010, cementing his place as an icon in business and technology worldwide.

Kim Jong-un, the Supreme Leader of North Korea and the General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, is the third generation of the Kim dynasty. Born on January 8, 1983, he is the son of Kim Jong-il and the grandson of Kim Il-sung, the founder of the nation. After his father's death in 2011, Kim Jong-un took over as the supreme leader. North Korea, a highly secretive and authoritarian state, remains in a tense standoff with the West, particularly the United States, due to its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Under his leadership, North Korea has conducted numerous nuclear tests, escalating tensions globally. Kim Jong-un's immense power, with the potential to trigger a nuclear conflict, makes him one of the most influential figures in global politics. TIME magazine recognized him six times from 2011 to 2016, further solidifying his controversial place in the world's political landscape.

Xi Jinping, born June 15, 1953, is the current President of the People's Republic of China, General Secretary of the Communist Party, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission. As the leader of the world's second-largest economy, Xi holds enormous political and economic power. The son of veteran Communist leader Xi Zhongxun, Xi Jinping's rise through the ranks was marked by his strong anti-corruption campaign, which has gained widespread attention within China and beyond. His leadership has seen China assert its position on the world stage, with significant influence in global economics and politics. TIME magazine has named him among the world’s most influential leaders seven times between 2009 and 2016, recognizing his transformative role in Chinese and global affairs.

Angela Dorothea Merkel, the first female Chancellor of Germany, has become one of the most influential leaders in modern European politics. Born on July 17, 1954, in Hamburg, West Germany, Merkel moved with her family to East Germany in 1955, where her father, a pastor, took up a new assignment. Before entering politics, she studied physics at the University of Leipzig and earned a doctorate in quantum chemistry. Merkel initially wanted to flee to West Germany but stayed due to her family ties. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, she joined the pro-democracy movement and became involved in the newly formed Democratic Awakening party, which marked the beginning of her political career. Elected Chancellor of Germany in 2005, she has been in office ever since, earning a reputation as a strong, pragmatic leader who speaks fluent English and Russian. Under her leadership, Germany has remained the most powerful voice in the European Union. TIME magazine recognized her eight times between 2006 and 2016 for her significant global influence.

Oprah Gail Winfrey, an American television producer and talk show host, is renowned as one of the most powerful women in media. Born on January 29, 1954, in Mississippi, Oprah overcame a difficult childhood marked by poverty and abuse to become a global icon. Raised by her mother, she faced numerous hardships, including being sexually abused as a child. Despite these challenges, Oprah excelled academically and earned a full scholarship to attend Tennessee State University, where she studied communications. Her career in television began with local news, but she quickly rose to fame with the highly successful Oprah Winfrey Show, which aired for 25 years. As the first African American woman to be named a billionaire, Oprah built an empire in media, including her website Oprah.com, which attracts millions of visitors. She is also known for her philanthropic efforts, raising millions for disaster relief and child abuse victims. Oprah has been featured in TIME's list of the most influential people multiple times, and in 2006, Forbes ranked her among the world's top 100 most powerful women.

Hillary Clinton, the former First Lady, U.S. Senator from New York, and Secretary of State, was a prominent candidate in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Born on October 26, 1947, in Chicago, she entered politics at the age of 16 when she volunteered for the presidential campaign of Republican Barry Goldwater. In 1993, Hillary became First Lady when her husband, Bill Clinton, was elected president, and she remained active in public life, especially in legal reforms. In 2000, she made history by becoming New York's first female U.S. Senator. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Hillary worked tirelessly to rebuild New York City and enhance national security. She also supported military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Hillary first ran for president in 2008 but lost to Barack Obama, who later appointed her as Secretary of State. In 2015, Hillary launched her second presidential bid, quickly securing the Democratic nomination but ultimately losing to Donald Trump. Throughout her career, TIME magazine recognized her as one of the most influential figures, naming her to their list 10 times between 2004 and 2016.

Barack Obama, born on August 4, 1961, in Hawaii, made history as the first African American president of the United States. His presidency lasted from January 20, 2009, to January 20, 2017. Obama graduated from Columbia University in 1983 with a degree in International Relations, and his diverse career included working as a lawyer, university lecturer, and community organizer. Obama entered politics in 1996 when he became a state senator in Illinois. His advocacy for healthcare and ethics reform earned him bipartisan support. In 2003, he opposed the Iraq War and successfully ran for U.S. Senate. In 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for president and quickly became a rising star within the Democratic Party, defeating Hillary Clinton for the nomination. In 2008, Obama won the presidency in a landslide, becoming the first African American president of the U.S. During his two terms, Obama led the country through significant domestic and foreign challenges. Even as his presidency came to a close in 2017, he remained one of the most influential leaders of the 21st century, earning 11 TIME magazine honors between 2005 and 2016.

Bill Gates, born William Henry Gates III on October 28, 1955, is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the founder of Microsoft. For decades, he has consistently ranked among the wealthiest individuals globally, holding the top spot as the richest person from 1995 to 2014, except for 2008, when he dropped to third place. Gates attended Harvard University but left to pursue his passion for technology, founding Microsoft and revolutionizing the software industry with products like Windows. His groundbreaking contributions to the tech world have earned him a spot on TIME’s list of the most influential people of the 20th century. Gates continues to be recognized in the 21st century, making the list in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2010 for his impact on both technology and philanthropy.

Aung San Suu Kyi, born on June 19, 1945, is a prominent Burmese politician and the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD). Known for her unwavering fight against Myanmar’s military dictatorship, she endured house arrest for 15 years, becoming one of the world’s most recognized political prisoners. In 1990, she won a landslide victory in the general election, securing 59% of the vote and 81% of parliamentary seats, but the military junta refused to acknowledge the results, imprisoning her instead. Suu Kyi’s advocacy for democracy and human rights earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. She also received multiple honors, including the Thorolf Rafto Memorial Prize, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, and the Jawaharlal Nehru Award. TIME magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people of the 21st century on several occasions: 2004, 2008, 2011, 2013, and 2016.

Vladimir Putin, born on October 7, 1952, in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), is a Russian politician who has served as the President of Russia and is a key member of the United Russia party. Putin has been one of the most influential figures in global politics, alongside U.S. President Barack Obama, for several years. Before entering politics, Putin worked in the Soviet Union’s KGB, stationed in East Germany, and taught international relations at Leningrad University. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Putin rose through the ranks of Russia’s political and security systems. He became President of Russia in 1999 and played a central role in restoring Russia’s economy, military power, and global influence. Serving both as president and prime minister, he has been a dominant figure in Russian politics for over two decades. Despite criticism of his authoritarian style, Putin maintains strong support among the Russian populace. TIME magazine honored him five times, in 2004, 2008, 2014, 2015, and 2016, recognizing his impact on global geopolitics.