Cynthia Nixon: 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 Cynthia Nixon said elsewhere, not written here

Michelle Obama (not that Barack wouldn’t be right up there). She seems genuinely to enjoy her life and do the best with all the tasks that she sets her mind to.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 April 2017 source ↗

Others on this question

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Ruth Jones Welsh actress, producer, and writer

My mother, Hannah: nearly 82, mother of four, homemaker, retired GP and knitter extraordinaire.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 November 2018 source ↗

Kevin Rowland British singer

Gerry Adams, because he’s got incredible integrity and vision, and he’s had to put up with so much flak.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 August 2025 source ↗

Hayley Atwell British American actress

Moyra Samuels, Nicole Belfon, Yvette Williams, Judy Bolton and Tasha Brade from Justice4Grenfell, for turning grief into action.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 December 2018 source ↗

David Gandy British model

David Attenborough. Not only has he taught us so much, but he’s also brought so much happiness to so many people.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 April 2020 source ↗