Sandy Powell: Which living person do you most admire, and why?

Which living person do you most admire, and why?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

The Guardian's Q&A repeatedly uses this prompt, sometimes dropping 'living' while retaining the same comparative judgment.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded Sandy Powell said elsewhere, not written here

My friend [art director] Simon Costin who, in 35 years, I’ve never once seen in a bad mood.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 September 2019 source ↗

Others on this question

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Vera Wang

Those who put others first.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, October 2020 source ↗

Nadine Gordimer South African writer

Nelson Mandela. The epitome of courage and intelligence.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 March 2012 source ↗

Olly Alexander English singer and actor

Jill Nalder. Lydia West played her character in It’s a Sin. She was on the wards with nurses caring for patients who were dying [of Aids] when lots of people wouldn’t go near them.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 March 2025 source ↗

Terry O'Neill British photographer

Eden Hazard, a true sportsman.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 January 2017 source ↗