Yunus Named in TIME’s 100 Most Influential

Nobel Laureate and Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Dr Muhammad Yunus, has been named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025.

He features in the "Leaders" category alongside prominent global figures such as US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and tech magnate Elon Musk.

In a tribute published by TIME, former US Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton hailed Dr Yunus for his leadership at a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s political landscape.

“After a student-led uprising toppled Bangladesh’s authoritarian Prime Minister last year, a familiar figure, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, stepped forward to help steer the nation back toward democracy,” Clinton wrote.

She highlighted his pioneering work in founding Grameen Bank, which transformed access to finance for millions of impoverished people through microcredit, with 97% of borrowers being women.

“This revolutionary model helped countless individuals start small businesses, support their families, and regain dignity,” she noted.

Clinton also reflected on her personal connection with Dr Yunus, recalling their early collaboration in Arkansas to replicate the microcredit model in the United States.

“Since then, wherever I’ve travelled, I’ve witnessed the profound impact of his vision,” she added.

Now, once again, Dr Yunus has answered his nation’s call, Clinton wrote, commending his efforts to guide Bangladesh out of authoritarianism and towards a future grounded in democracy, accountability, and human rights.

Dr Yunus’s recognition by TIME underscores both his lifelong contribution to social and economic empowerment and his renewed leadership in a critical chapter of Bangladesh’s democratic journey.