Introducing
100Global Leaders of Excellence 2026
Recognising excellence. Inspiring the world.
Who is rising? Who is innovating? Who is creating lasting impact?
100
Global Leaders
of Excellence
2026
Recognising excellence.
Inspiring the world.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Open ›Foreword
One hundred lives of excellence
The Global Leaders of Excellence 2026 is an editorial selection by the IAE & Euro Star Awards. It celebrates people from 36 countries whose discoveries, enterprise, service, art and sport have changed lives across the world.
- Science & Medicine17
- Technology10
- Business & Philanthropy11
- Public Service & Humanitarian10
- Arts & Culture38
- Sport14
IAE & Euro Star Awards, London
Global Leaders 2026No. 01
Science & Medicine
Françoise Barré-Sinoussi
France
Recognised for
Co-discovered HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, opening the way to the tests and treatments that have saved millions of lives. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2008.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 02
Science & Medicine
Emmanuelle Charpentier
France
Recognised for
Co-developed CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, a tool now transforming medicine, agriculture and biological research. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 03
Science & Medicine
Jennifer Doudna
United States
Recognised for
Co-developed CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, enabling precise changes to DNA and new treatments for inherited disease. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 04
Science & Medicine
Sarah Gilbert
United Kingdom
Recognised for
Led the Oxford team that designed the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, produced at scale and supplied at cost to countries around the world during the pandemic.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 05
Science & Medicine
Katalin Karikó
Hungary
Recognised for
Spent decades on modified messenger RNA, the breakthrough behind the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2023.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 06
Science & Medicine
Paul Nurse
United Kingdom
Recognised for
Discovered key regulators of the cell cycle, central to understanding cancer. Nobel laureate in 2001, former President of the Royal Society and founding director of the Francis Crick Institute.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 07
Science & Medicine
Svante Pääbo
Sweden
Recognised for
Founded the field of palaeogenetics and sequenced the Neanderthal genome, transforming our understanding of human origins. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2022.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 08
Science & Medicine
Venki Ramakrishnan
United Kingdom
Recognised for
Revealed the atomic structure of the ribosome, the cell's protein factory, informing the design of new antibiotics. Nobel laureate in Chemistry in 2009 and former President of the Royal Society.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 09
Science & Medicine
Uğur Şahin
Germany
Recognised for
Physician, immunologist and co-founder of BioNTech, which developed one of the first approved COVID-19 vaccines and is advancing individualised cancer vaccines.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 10
Science & Medicine
Devi Shetty
India
Recognised for
Cardiac surgeon who founded Narayana Health and pioneered high-quality, affordable heart surgery, bringing life-saving operations within reach of millions of families in India and beyond.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 11
Science & Medicine
Donna Strickland
Canada
Recognised for
Co-invented chirped pulse amplification, the technique behind the high-intensity lasers used in eye surgery and industry. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2018.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 12
Science & Medicine
Tu Youyou
China
Recognised for
Discovered artemisinin, a treatment for malaria that has saved millions of lives. The first Chinese woman awarded a Nobel Prize in science, in 2015.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 13
Science & Medicine
Özlem Türeci
Germany
Recognised for
Physician-scientist and co-founder of BioNTech, which developed one of the first approved COVID-19 vaccines and is advancing mRNA immunotherapies against cancer.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 14
Science & Medicine
Drew Weissman
United States
Recognised for
Partnered with Katalin Karikó on the mRNA modifications that made the COVID-19 vaccines possible. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2023.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 15
Science & Medicine
Magdi Yacoub
Egypt
Recognised for
Pioneering heart and heart-lung transplant surgeon who founded the charity Chain of Hope and the Aswan Heart Centre, treating children from across the world.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 16
Science & Medicine
Omar Yaghi
United States
Recognised for
Founded the chemistry of metal–organic frameworks, materials that can harvest water from desert air and capture carbon. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2025.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 17
Science & Medicine
Shinya Yamanaka
Japan
Recognised for
Discovered how to reprogramme adult cells into stem cells, opening new routes to regenerative medicine and drug discovery. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 18
Technology
Tim Berners-Lee
United Kingdom
Recognised for
Invented the World Wide Web in 1989 and gave it to the world without patent or royalty, changing how humanity shares knowledge.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 19
Technology
Morris Chang
Taiwan
Recognised for
Founded TSMC and created the dedicated chip-foundry model that underpins the modern electronics and AI industries.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 20
Technology
Tim Cook
United States
Recognised for
Led Apple as chief executive after Steve Jobs, building it into one of the world's most valuable companies while championing privacy and renewable energy.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 21
Technology
Demis Hassabis
United Kingdom
Recognised for
Co-founded DeepMind, whose AlphaFold predicted the structures of almost all known proteins. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2024.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 22
Technology
Geoffrey Hinton
United Kingdom
Recognised for
Pioneer of neural networks and deep learning, the foundations of modern AI, and an influential voice on AI safety. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2024.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 23
Technology
Jensen Huang
United States
Recognised for
Co-founded NVIDIA, whose graphics processors became the engine of today's artificial intelligence and scientific computing.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 24
Technology
Fei-Fei Li
United States
Recognised for
Created ImageNet, the dataset that sparked the modern era of computer vision, and champions human-centred AI as co-director of Stanford HAI.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 25
Technology
Satya Nadella
United States
Recognised for
Led Microsoft's transformation into a leader in cloud computing and AI, reshaping its culture around learning and inclusion.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 26
Technology
Nandan Nilekani
India
Recognised for
Co-founded Infosys and, as founding chairman of UIDAI, led Aadhaar, the digital identity system now used by more than a billion people.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 27
Technology
Sundar Pichai
United States
Recognised for
Chief executive of Google and Alphabet, leading products used by billions every day and the company's work in artificial intelligence.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 28
Business & Philanthropy
Lord Karan Bilimoria
United Kingdom
Recognised for
Founded Cobra Beer and built it into an international brand. A crossbench member of the House of Lords, former President of the CBI and a leading voice for UK–India business ties.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 29
Business & Philanthropy
Richard Branson
United Kingdom
Recognised for
Founded the Virgin Group, spanning music, airlines and space travel, and co-founded The Elders, a group of global leaders working for peace and human rights.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 30
Business & Philanthropy
Warren Buffett
United States
Recognised for
Built Berkshire Hathaway over six decades and has committed nearly all of his fortune to philanthropy. Co-founder of the Giving Pledge.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 31
Business & Philanthropy
James Dyson
United Kingdom
Recognised for
Inventor of the bagless cyclone vacuum cleaner who built a global technology company and founded the Dyson Institute to train the next generation of engineers.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 32
Business & Philanthropy
Bill Gates
United States
Recognised for
Co-founded Microsoft and, through the Gates Foundation, has funded vaccines, polio eradication and health programmes reaching millions of people.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 33
Business & Philanthropy
Mo Ibrahim
Sudan
Recognised for
Built Celtel into a mobile network serving millions across Africa, then founded the Mo Ibrahim Foundation to champion good governance and leadership on the continent.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 34
Business & Philanthropy
Strive Masiyiwa
Zimbabwe
Recognised for
Founded Econet and connected millions of people across Africa, and has funded education for tens of thousands of young Africans.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 35
Business & Philanthropy
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
India
Recognised for
Founded Biocon and built one of the world's leading biotechnology companies, making insulin and biologic medicines more affordable.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 36
Business & Philanthropy
N. R. Narayana Murthy
India
Recognised for
Co-founded Infosys in 1981, helping to build India's global IT services industry and setting standards for corporate governance.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 37
Business & Philanthropy
Indra Nooyi
United States
Recognised for
Led PepsiCo as chair and chief executive for twelve years, steering the company towards healthier products and sustainability.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 38
Business & Philanthropy
Azim Premji
India
Recognised for
Transformed Wipro into a global technology company and has given much of his wealth to improve public education in India through the Azim Premji Foundation.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 39
Public Service & Humanitarian
José Andrés
Spain
Recognised for
Chef who founded World Central Kitchen, which has served hundreds of millions of meals to people affected by disasters and conflict.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 40
Public Service & Humanitarian
Leymah Gbowee
Liberia
Recognised for
Led the women's peace movement that helped end Liberia's civil war. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 41
Public Service & Humanitarian
Graça Machel
Mozambique
Recognised for
Mozambique's first Minister of Education and author of a landmark UN report on children in armed conflict, a lifelong advocate for women and children.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 42
Public Service & Humanitarian
Denis Mukwege
DR Congo
Recognised for
Gynaecologist who founded Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has treated tens of thousands of survivors of sexual violence. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 43
Public Service & Humanitarian
Nadia Murad
Iraq
Recognised for
Survivor and advocate for Yazidi women and for victims of sexual violence in conflict, founder of Nadia's Initiative. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 44
Public Service & Humanitarian
Kanishka Narayan MP
United Kingdom
Recognised for
Member of Parliament for the Vale of Glamorgan and the UK's Minister for Artificial Intelligence, helping shape how Britain adopts AI safely and for the public good.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 45
Public Service & Humanitarian
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Nigeria
Recognised for
The first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization, and a former finance minister of Nigeria who chaired Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 46
Public Service & Humanitarian
Maria Ressa
Philippines
Recognised for
Journalist and co-founder of Rappler who has defended press freedom and fought disinformation. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 47
Public Service & Humanitarian
Kailash Satyarthi
India
Recognised for
Through Bachpan Bachao Andolan, has helped free tens of thousands of children from forced labour. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 48
Public Service & Humanitarian
Malala Yousafzai
Pakistan
Recognised for
Champion of every girl's right to education, founder of the Malala Fund and the youngest ever Nobel laureate, awarded the Peace Prize in 2014.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 49
Arts & Culture
Adele
United Kingdom
Recognised for
One of the best-selling artists of her generation, whose albums 21 and 25 broke global sales records. Winner of multiple Grammy Awards and an Academy Award.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 50
Arts & Culture
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Nigeria
Recognised for
Author of Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah, whose novels and talks, including We Should All Be Feminists, have reached readers worldwide.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 51
Arts & Culture
Isabel Allende
Chile
Recognised for
Author of The House of the Spirits and one of the most widely read Spanish-language writers, whose foundation supports women and girls.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 52
Arts & Culture
Tadao Ando
Japan
Recognised for
Self-taught architect celebrated for his poetry of concrete and light, from the Church of the Light to museums worldwide. Winner of the Pritzker Prize in 1995.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 53
Arts & Culture
David Attenborough
United Kingdom
Recognised for
For seven decades has brought the natural world to global audiences, from Life on Earth to Blue Planet, inspiring action to protect the planet.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 54
Arts & Culture
Margaret Atwood
Canada
Recognised for
Author of The Handmaid's Tale and more than fifty books of fiction, poetry and essays. Twice winner of the Booker Prize.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 55
Arts & Culture
Amitabh Bachchan
India
Recognised for
A legend of Indian cinema across more than five decades, honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in film.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 56
Arts & Culture
Beyoncé
United States
Recognised for
Singer, songwriter and performer who holds the record for the most Grammy Awards won by any artist, and a champion of education through BeyGOOD.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 57
Arts & Culture
Andrea Bocelli
Italy
Recognised for
One of the best-selling classical singers in history, whose foundation supports children and communities in need.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 58
Arts & Culture
Bong Joon Ho
South Korea
Recognised for
Director of Parasite, the first non-English-language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, as well as the Palme d'Or.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 59
Arts & Culture
Bono
Ireland
Recognised for
Lead singer of U2 and co-founder of ONE and (RED), campaigns that have raised awareness and funding to fight AIDS and extreme poverty.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 60
Arts & Culture
Paulo Coelho
Brazil
Recognised for
Author of The Alchemist, one of the most translated books by a living author, read by millions in more than eighty languages.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 61
Arts & Culture
Celine Dion
Canada
Recognised for
One of the best-selling artists of all time, whose voice carried My Heart Will Go On around the world. Celebrated for her return at the Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 62
Arts & Culture
Norman Foster
United Kingdom
Recognised for
Architect of landmarks from the Reichstag dome to 30 St Mary Axe, the Gherkin in London. Winner of the Pritzker Prize in 1999.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 63
Arts & Culture
Gilberto Gil
Brazil
Recognised for
Pioneer of Brazil's Tropicália movement and one of its most celebrated musicians, who served as Brazil's Minister of Culture.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 64
Arts & Culture
Han Kang
South Korea
Recognised for
Author of The Vegetarian and Human Acts, and the first South Korean writer awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, in 2024.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 65
Arts & Culture
Kazuo Ishiguro
United Kingdom
Recognised for
Author of The Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go, whose novels explore memory and humanity. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2017.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 66
Arts & Culture
Elton John
United Kingdom
Recognised for
One of the most successful musicians of all time and founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised hundreds of millions for HIV programmes.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 67
Arts & Culture
Shah Rukh Khan
India
Recognised for
One of the world's most popular film stars, known as the King of Bollywood, whose Meer Foundation supports women survivors of acid attacks.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 68
Arts & Culture
Angélique Kidjo
Benin
Recognised for
Singer-songwriter and multiple Grammy winner who brings the music of Benin to the world, and a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador championing girls' education.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 69
Arts & Culture
Lang Lang
China
Recognised for
Concert pianist and UN Messenger of Peace whose International Music Foundation brings music education to children around the world.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 70
Arts & Culture
Ang Lee
Taiwan
Recognised for
Film director whose work crosses cultures, from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to Life of Pi. Twice winner of the Academy Award for Best Director.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 71
Arts & Culture
Yo-Yo Ma
United States
Recognised for
Cellist and founder of Silkroad, who uses music to connect cultures and communities across the world. UN Messenger of Peace.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 72
Arts & Culture
Paul McCartney
United Kingdom
Recognised for
Co-founder of The Beatles and one of the most successful songwriters in history, whose music has shaped popular culture for more than sixty years.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 73
Arts & Culture
Hayao Miyazaki
Japan
Recognised for
Co-founder of Studio Ghibli and creator of Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron, both winners of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 74
Arts & Culture
Haruki Murakami
Japan
Recognised for
Author of Norwegian Wood and Kafka on the Shore, whose novels have been translated into more than fifty languages.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 75
Arts & Culture
Youssou N'Dour
Senegal
Recognised for
Senegal's most celebrated singer, who brought mbalax to the world, won a Grammy Award and served as Senegal's Minister of Culture.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 76
Arts & Culture
Christopher Nolan
United Kingdom
Recognised for
Director of Oppenheimer, winner of seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, and of Inception and Interstellar.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 77
Arts & Culture
Renzo Piano
Italy
Recognised for
Architect of the Centre Pompidou in Paris and The Shard in London. Winner of the Pritzker Prize in 1998.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 78
Arts & Culture
A. R. Rahman
India
Recognised for
Composer whose scores have defined modern Indian film music. Winner of two Academy Awards for Slumdog Millionaire.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 79
Arts & Culture
Salman Rushdie
United Kingdom
Recognised for
Author of Midnight's Children, winner of the Booker Prize and the Best of the Booker, and a lifelong defender of free expression.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 80
Arts & Culture
Shakira
Colombia
Recognised for
Global music star whose Barefoot Foundation has provided schooling and nutrition to thousands of children in Colombia.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 81
Arts & Culture
Wole Soyinka
Nigeria
Recognised for
Playwright, poet and essayist, and the first African writer awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, in 1986.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 82
Arts & Culture
Steven Spielberg
United States
Recognised for
Director of films from Jaws to Schindler's List, whose USC Shoah Foundation has preserved tens of thousands of Holocaust survivor testimonies.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 83
Arts & Culture
Meryl Streep
United States
Recognised for
Three-time Academy Award winner who holds the record for the most Oscar nominations of any performer.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 84
Arts & Culture
Taylor Swift
United States
Recognised for
Singer-songwriter whose Eras Tour became the highest-grossing concert tour of all time, and the only artist to win the Grammy for Album of the Year four times.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 85
Arts & Culture
Oprah Winfrey
United States
Recognised for
Broadcaster and media leader who founded the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 86
Arts & Culture
Michelle Yeoh
Malaysia
Recognised for
Actor and the first Asian woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, and a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 87
Sport
David Beckham
United Kingdom
Recognised for
Former England captain and one of football's most recognised players, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for two decades.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 88
Sport
Simone Biles
United States
Recognised for
The most decorated gymnast in history, whose openness about mental health has changed conversations in elite sport.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 89
Sport
Usain Bolt
Jamaica
Recognised for
Eight-time Olympic champion and world record holder in the 100 metres and 200 metres.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 90
Sport
Roger Federer
Switzerland
Recognised for
Winner of 20 Grand Slam singles titles, whose foundation supports early-childhood education in southern Africa.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 91
Sport
Lewis Hamilton
United Kingdom
Recognised for
Seven-time Formula One world champion with the most race wins in the sport's history, and founder of Mission 44 for greater diversity in motorsport.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 92
Sport
Eliud Kipchoge
Kenya
Recognised for
Two-time Olympic marathon champion and the first person to run a marathon distance in under two hours.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 93
Sport
Faith Kipyegon
Kenya
Recognised for
Three-time Olympic 1500 metres champion and multiple world record holder, one of the greatest middle-distance runners in history.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 94
Sport
Lionel Messi
Argentina
Recognised for
Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner who captained Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 95
Sport
Rafael Nadal
Spain
Recognised for
Winner of 22 Grand Slam singles titles, including a record 14 French Open titles, whose foundation supports young people through sport and education.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 96
Sport
Shohei Ohtani
Japan
Recognised for
Japanese baseball star who excels as both pitcher and hitter, and the first player to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a Major League season.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 97
Sport
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal
Recognised for
Five-time Ballon d'Or winner and the all-time leading goalscorer in men's international football.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 98
Sport
Mohamed Salah
Egypt
Recognised for
Egyptian forward and multiple Premier League Golden Boot winner, known for supporting schools and health services in his home village.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 99
Sport
Sachin Tendulkar
India
Recognised for
The only player to score 100 international centuries, holder of the most runs in Test and One Day International cricket.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
Global Leaders 2026No. 100
Sport
Serena Williams
United States
Recognised for
Winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles, an Open Era record, and an investor backing founders through Serena Ventures.
IAE & Euro Star Awards
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Recognising excellence. Inspiring the world.
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Be among the 100Nominate for 2027Showing all 100 leaders
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FranceFrançoise Barré-Sinoussi
Nobel laureate, co-discoverer of HIV
Read profile ›
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France
Emmanuelle Charpentier
Nobel laureate, CRISPR gene editing
Read profile ›
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United StatesJennifer Doudna
Nobel laureate, CRISPR gene editing
Read profile ›
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United KingdomSarah Gilbert
Vaccinologist, Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine
Read profile ›
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HungaryKatalin Karikó
Nobel laureate, mRNA vaccine pioneer
Read profile ›
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United Kingdom
Paul Nurse
Nobel laureate, cell biologist
Read profile ›
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SwedenSvante Pääbo
Nobel laureate, palaeogenetics
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United Kingdom
Venki Ramakrishnan
Nobel laureate, structural biologist
Read profile ›
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GermanyUğur Şahin
Co-founder of BioNTech
Read profile ›
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IndiaDevi Shetty
Cardiac surgeon, founder of Narayana Health
Read profile ›
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CanadaDonna Strickland
Nobel laureate in Physics
Read profile ›
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ChinaTu Youyou
Nobel laureate, discoverer of artemisinin
Read profile ›
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Germany
Özlem Türeci
Co-founder of BioNTech
Read profile ›
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United States
Drew Weissman
Nobel laureate, mRNA vaccine pioneer
Read profile ›
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EgyptMagdi Yacoub
Pioneering heart surgeon
Read profile ›
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United States
Omar Yaghi
Nobel laureate in Chemistry
Read profile ›
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JapanShinya Yamanaka
Nobel laureate, stem cell research
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United Kingdom
Tim Berners-Lee
Inventor of the World Wide Web
Read profile ›
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TaiwanMorris Chang
Founder of TSMC
Read profile ›
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United States
Tim Cook
Led Apple as chief executive after Steve Jobs
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United Kingdom
Demis Hassabis
Nobel laureate, co-founder of Google DeepMind
Read profile ›
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United Kingdom
Geoffrey Hinton
Nobel laureate, pioneer of deep learning
Read profile ›
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United States
Jensen Huang
Founder and CEO of NVIDIA
Read profile ›
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United States
Fei-Fei Li
AI scientist, Stanford professor
Read profile ›
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United States
Satya Nadella
Led Microsoft's transformation as chief executive
Read profile ›
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India
Nandan Nilekani
Co-founder of Infosys, architect of Aadhaar
Read profile ›
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United States
Sundar Pichai
Chief executive of Alphabet and Google
Read profile ›
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United Kingdom
Lord Karan Bilimoria
Founder of Cobra Beer and member of the House of Lords
Read profile ›
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United Kingdom
Richard Branson
Founder of the Virgin Group
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United States
Warren Buffett
Investor and philanthropist
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United Kingdom
James Dyson
Inventor and founder of Dyson
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United States
Bill Gates
Co-founder of Microsoft and the Gates Foundation
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SudanMo Ibrahim
Founder of Celtel and the Mo Ibrahim Foundation
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ZimbabweStrive Masiyiwa
Founder of Econet Group
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India
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Founder of Biocon
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India
N. R. Narayana Murthy
Founder of Infosys
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United States
Indra Nooyi
Former Chair and CEO of PepsiCo
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India
Azim Premji
Founder chairman of Wipro, philanthropist
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SpainJosé Andrés
Chef, founder of World Central Kitchen
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LiberiaLeymah Gbowee
Nobel Peace laureate, peace activist
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MozambiqueGraça Machel
Humanitarian and children's rights advocate
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DR CongoDenis Mukwege
Nobel Peace laureate and gynaecologist
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IraqNadia Murad
Nobel Peace laureate, human rights activist
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United Kingdom
Kanishka Narayan MP
UK Minister for Artificial Intelligence
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NigeriaNgozi Okonjo-Iweala
Director-General of the World Trade Organization
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PhilippinesMaria Ressa
Nobel Peace laureate, journalist
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India
Kailash Satyarthi
Nobel Peace laureate, child rights
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PakistanMalala Yousafzai
Nobel Peace laureate, girls' education
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United Kingdom
Adele
Singer-songwriter
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Nigeria
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Novelist
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ChileIsabel Allende
Novelist
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Japan
Tadao Ando
Architect
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United Kingdom
David Attenborough
Broadcaster and naturalist
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Canada
Margaret Atwood
Novelist and poet
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India
Amitabh Bachchan
Actor
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United States
Beyoncé
Singer, songwriter and entrepreneur
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ItalyAndrea Bocelli
Tenor
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South KoreaBong Joon Ho
Film director
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IrelandBono
Musician and co-founder of ONE
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BrazilPaulo Coelho
Novelist
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Canada
Celine Dion
Singer
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United Kingdom
Norman Foster
Architect
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Brazil
Gilberto Gil
Musician
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South Korea
Han Kang
Nobel laureate in Literature
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United Kingdom
Kazuo Ishiguro
Nobel laureate in Literature
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United Kingdom
Elton John
Musician and AIDS philanthropist
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India
Shah Rukh Khan
Actor and producer
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BeninAngélique Kidjo
Singer-songwriter
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China
Lang Lang
Concert pianist
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Taiwan
Ang Lee
Film director
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United States
Yo-Yo Ma
Cellist
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United Kingdom
Paul McCartney
Musician and songwriter
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Japan
Hayao Miyazaki
Animator and film director
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Japan
Haruki Murakami
Novelist
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SenegalYoussou N'Dour
Singer and composer
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United Kingdom
Christopher Nolan
Film director
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Italy
Renzo Piano
Architect
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India
A. R. Rahman
Composer, Oscar winner
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United Kingdom
Salman Rushdie
Novelist
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ColombiaShakira
Singer-songwriter and philanthropist
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Nigeria
Wole Soyinka
Nobel laureate in Literature
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United States
Steven Spielberg
Film director
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United States
Meryl Streep
Actor
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United States
Taylor Swift
Singer-songwriter
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United States
Oprah Winfrey
Media leader and philanthropist
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MalaysiaMichelle Yeoh
Actor, Oscar winner
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United Kingdom
David Beckham
Footballer and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
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United States
Simone Biles
Gymnast, Olympic champion
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JamaicaUsain Bolt
Sprinter, Olympic champion
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SwitzerlandRoger Federer
Tennis champion
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United Kingdom
Lewis Hamilton
Formula One world champion
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KenyaEliud Kipchoge
Marathon Olympic champion
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Kenya
Faith Kipyegon
Middle-distance Olympic champion
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ArgentinaLionel Messi
Footballer
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Spain
Rafael Nadal
Tennis champion
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Japan
Shohei Ohtani
Baseball player
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PortugalCristiano Ronaldo
Footballer
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Egypt
Mohamed Salah
Footballer
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India
Sachin Tendulkar
Cricketer
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United States
Serena Williams
Tennis champion
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About the list
The Global Leaders of Excellence 2026 is an editorial selection by the IAE & Euro Star Awards. It recognises publicly documented achievement across six fields and more than 36 countries, and is grouped by field, not ranked.
Photo credits
- A. R. Rahman: photo by Sriram Narasimhan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Adele: photo by Marc E., CC BY 2.0
- Amitabh Bachchan: photo by Shrinivaskulkarni1388, derivative by Junior Jumper, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Andrea Bocelli: photo by The White House, Public domain
- Ang Lee: photo by Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, CC BY 2.0
- Angélique Kidjo: photo by Library of Congress Life, CC0
- Azim Premji: photo by World Economic Forum, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Beyoncé: photo by Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0
- Bill Gates: photo by Bogdan Hoyaux, European Union, CC BY 4.0
- Bong Joon Ho: photo by Jay Dixit, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bono: photo by Daniel Hazard, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Celine Dion: photo by Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: photo by Librairie Mollat, CC BY 3.0
- Christopher Nolan: photo by PhilipRomano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cristiano Ronaldo: photo by Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- David Attenborough: photo by UK Government, OGL 3
- David Beckham: photo by Soccer Aid for UNICEF, CC BY 3.0
- Demis Hassabis: photo by John Sears, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Denis Mukwege: photo by Foreign and Commonwealth Office, CC BY 2.0
- Devi Shetty: photo by Financial Times photos, CC BY 2.0
- Donna Strickland: photo by Bengt Nyman, CC BY 2.0
- Drew Weissman: photo by John Sears, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Eliud Kipchoge: photo by Denis Barthel, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Elton John: photo by Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0
- Emmanuelle Charpentier: photo by Bianca Fioretti, Hallbauer & Fioretti, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Faith Kipyegon: photo by Erik van Leeuwen, GFDL
- Fei-Fei Li: photo by ITU Pictures, CC BY 2.0
- Françoise Barré-Sinoussi: photo by Prolineserver, GFDL 1.2
- Geoffrey Hinton: photo by Christopher Michel, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gilberto Gil: photo by Ricardo Stuckert, PR, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Graça Machel: photo by Sportsforpeace, derivative by Rosentod, Public domain
- Han Kang: photo by John Sears, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Haruki Murakami: photo by Ministerio de Cultura y Patrimonio, Ecuador, Public domain
- Hayao Miyazaki: photo by Natasha Baucas, CC BY 2.0
- Indra Nooyi: photo by Jeff Bedford, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Isabel Allende: photo by Lesekreis, CC BY-SA 4.0
- James Dyson: photo by The Royal Society, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Jennifer Doudna: photo by Christopher Michel, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Jensen Huang: photo by Anderseidesvik, CC BY-SA 4.0
- José Andrés: photo by David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0
- Kailash Satyarthi: photo by Lula Oficial, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Kanishka Narayan MP: photo by Alecsandra Dragoi, No 10 Downing Street, OGL 3
- Katalin Karikó: photo by Christopher Michel, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Kazuo Ishiguro: photo by Martin Kraft, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw: photo by Sofia Negron, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Lang Lang: photo by World Economic Forum, derivative by January, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Lewis Hamilton: photo by Lauren Hurley, No 10 Downing Street, OGL 3
- Leymah Gbowee: photo by Fronteiras do Pensamento, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Lionel Messi: photo by Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Lord Karan Bilimoria: photo by Frank-Jürgen Richter, Horasis, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Magdi Yacoub: photo by Raafat, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Malala Yousafzai: photo by flowcomm, CC BY 2.0
- Margaret Atwood: photo by Collision Conf, CC BY 2.0
- Maria Ressa: photo by Xuthoria, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Meryl Streep: photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Korea), Lee Jeong-woo, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Michelle Yeoh: photo by Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mo Ibrahim: photo by World Economic Forum, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Mohamed Salah: photo by Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Morris Chang: photo by Office of the President, Taiwan, CC BY 2.0
- N. R. Narayana Murthy: photo by ps482207, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Nadia Murad: photo by Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, CC BY 2.0
- Nandan Nilekani: photo by World Economic Forum, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: photo by World Trade Organization, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Norman Foster: photo by bigbug21, CC BY-SA 2.5
- Omar Yaghi: photo by Christopher Michel, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Oprah Winfrey: photo by US Embassy South Africa, Public domain
- Paul McCartney: photo by Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0
- Paul Nurse: photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Paulo Coelho: photo by Lula Oficial, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Rafael Nadal: photo by Barcex, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Renzo Piano: photo by Cirone-Musi, Festival della Scienza, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Richard Branson: photo by U.S. Department of State, Public domain
- Roger Federer: photo by Tatiana from Moscow, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Sachin Tendulkar: photo by British High Commission, New Delhi, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Salman Rushdie: photo by Elena Ternovaja, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Sarah Gilbert: photo by Escv2021, Public domain
- Satya Nadella: photo by Brian Smale and Microsoft, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Serena Williams: photo by AndrewHenkelman, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Shah Rukh Khan: photo by Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0
- Shakira: photo by Junta de Andalucía, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Shinya Yamanaka: photo by The Japan Academy, CC BY 4.0
- Shohei Ohtani: photo by All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Simone Biles: photo by Ocoudis, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Steven Spielberg: photo by Martin Kraft, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Strive Masiyiwa: photo by Kathi Walther Bouma, Public domain
- Sundar Pichai: photo by Lukasz Kobus, European Commission, CC BY 4.0
- Svante Pääbo: photo by Duncan Hull, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Tadao Ando: photo by Christopher Schriner, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Taylor Swift: photo by iHeartRadioCA, CC BY 3.0
- Tim Berners-Lee: photo by Web Summit, CC BY 4.0
- Tim Cook: photo by Dati Bendo, European Union, CC BY 4.0
- Tu Youyou: photo by Bengt Nyman, CC BY 2.0
- Usain Bolt: photo by Erik van Leeuwen, GFDL
- Uğur Şahin: photo by BioNTech, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Venki Ramakrishnan: photo by Prolineserver, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Warren Buffett: photo by USA International Trade Administration, Public domain
- Wole Soyinka: photo by Frankie Fouganthin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Yo-Yo Ma: photo by Joi Ito, CC BY 2.0
- Youssou N'Dour: photo by Henryk Kotowski, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Özlem Türeci: photo by BioNTech, CC BY-SA 4.0