Helen Mirren: 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 Helen Mirren said elsewhere, not written here

Sister Alice Marie Quinn, who runs St. Vincent Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles.

Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, September 2010 source ↗

Others on this question

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Stuart Broad English former cricketer and commentator

Sienna Miller. For obvious reasons!

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 February 2013 source ↗

Brenda Blethyn British actress

An old tutor at Guildford School of Acting – Ian Ricketts. He is a wonderfully inspiring man.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 April 2012 source ↗

Jess Phillips British politician

Harriet Harman. I know how hard it is to do what she’s doing.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 April 2018 source ↗

Dawn O’Porter

My Auntie Jane. She took me in, aged 10, and, after my mother died, healed my broken heart by filling our dining room with food and people. Still cooking at the grand old age of 89. My icon.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

More from Helen Mirren

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Question What is your idea of perfect happiness? Identity & self

To sit by a clear river on a warm day in early July with the smell of cut grass in the air.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 1 September 2010 source ↗

Question When were you happiest? Time & hindsight

I remember thinking, when I was in my early 30s, that this is the best age to be, and I still believe your 30s are a wonderful time. But I think I am pretty happy now.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 December 2008 source ↗