The 10 Most Influential People in 2023
The annual TIME 100 list honors individuals who make a difference. This year, the issue features notable names like Joe Biden and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Melinda Gates has one of the largest fortunes in the world and is active in philanthropy. Her work centers around education and children's welfare. She's also a vocal critic of sexism in the tech industry.
1. Kim Kardashian
From celebrities to world leaders, these people have a strong influence on society and their decisions are constantly talked about. They have commanding personalities and inspire others to be better versions of themselves.
Kim Kardashian has been making headlines and front pages since she first appeared on a reality show with her family in 2007. She’s now one of the most successful business women in the world and her cosmetics line is worth billions.
Kardashian’s also a spokeswoman for several high profile brands including Sketchers Shape-up sneakers and her own collection of nail polish with OPI. She’s also the face of a campaign for Midori Melon Liqueur.
She’s joined on this year’s list by Joe Biden, Lionel Messi, Janet Yellen and Elon Musk. Plus, newcomers include Patrick Mahomes, Iga Swiatek and Brittney Griner. See the full TIME 100 here and watch a special hosted by Jennifer Coolidge, with performances by Doja Cat and Lea Michele.
2. Elon Musk
Founder and CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, the Boring Company, Neuralink and OpenAI, Musk has one of the world's largest fortunes. A South African-born entrepreneur, he cofounded the electronic-payment firm PayPal and is the principal owner of, and chief executive officer of, the electric car manufacturer Tesla.
He's also an investor in, and the chairman of, SolarCity, which he created to help reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The philanthropist is an avid traveler and is a longtime supporter of the arts.
Time released its list of the most influential people on Thursday. It categorizes pioneers of technology, political leaders and titans of industry, as well as artists, innovators and icons. The magazine also names athletes such as Kelsea Ballerini, Patrick Mahomes II and Kylian Mbappe. The 2023 TIME100 Next issue features worldwide covers showcasing singer-songwriter Kelsea Ballerini, football quarterback Jalen Hurts and chef Mory Sacko.
3. Beyoncé
Aside from winning three GRAMMYs as a member of Destiny's Child, Beyonce is an acclaimed singer and actress whose agenda encompasses social issues and charitable causes. In 2022, she released Renaissance, a surprise album that was the first of a trilogy. It was the first time Beyonce used TikTok for a marketing campaign, posting a video of people "dancing, vibing and singing along" to the song Renaissance's lead single, Break My Soul.
She also made headlines after she and husband JAY-Z performed at the 2023 Super Bowl with daughter Blue in tow, making it a family affair. The pair is also on this year's TIME 100 Next list along with Kelsea Ballerini, football quarterback Jalen Hurts and chef Mory Sacko. TIME magazine's yearly list of the world's most influential people recognises individuals who are changing the world, regardless of their consequences.
4. Jennifer Affleck
There are countless ways to measure the influence of content creators: from hard data like views and subscribers to sponsorships and revenue. But there’s also intangibles, like how a creator uses their platform to tell stories that can’t be ignored.
The actress is a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment world and her philanthropic work is equally impressive. She is a longtime advocate for women and children and has been involved in the MeToo movement.
The actor, who was once married to Ben Affleck, starred in the film “Felicity” and has two daughters with Affleck. She recently rekindled her relationship with Affleck, proving that love is possible at any age.
5. Angela Bassett
From movie stars and sports superstars to CEOs and politicians, the 2023 TIME 100 list features a variety of powerful individuals. The magazine ranked these people by their level of influence, breaking them into Pioneers, Leaders, Titans and Artists.
TIME also recognized the influence of certain creators on the social media landscape. They have a large following and tell their stories in unique ways.
Angela Bassett is a versatile performer who has appeared on numerous films and television shows. She studied at Yale University and went on to work in New York theater. She has performed in several August Wilson plays, including Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. She has won many accolades and awards throughout her career. She has been a major influence on the African American community and is a role model for women.
6. Brittney Griner
The WNBA star has become an advocate for equality in women's sports. She has also been vocal in her fight against domestic violence, and is a mentor to young athletes.
Two of India's most prominent personalities have made it to the prestigious list, which is ranked by experts and categorised into pioneers, leaders, titans, artists and innovators. Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan and director SS Rajamouli, who is known for his work in Baahubali and RRR, have managed to bag a spot on the list.
Athletes such as Kelsea Ballerini, Lionel Messi and Mikaela Shiffrin are among the other notable names who make up this year's TIME 100. They are recognised for their contributions to their respective fields and have become influential on a worldwide scale. TIME has released four worldwide covers this year to celebrate the honorees.
7. Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts, the Eagles' new starting quarterback, has proven that anything he sets his mind to, he can accomplish. The Oklahoma native starred at Channelview High School in Texas as both a football player and powerlifter, according to the Philadelphia Eagles' website.
He then played quarterback for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. The team made it to the national championship game, but lost to Clemson in a thrilling, high-scoring match.
Hurts was ranked on this year's TIME 100 list, which categorizes individuals into different groups of influencers — including artists, titans, and leaders. This year, he was included in the "Titans" category along with other athletes such as NFL star Mahomes and soccer superstar Messi. TIME's guest contributors wrote profiles on each of the chosen people, which include actress Jennifer Coolidge, recording artist Doja Cat and Disney CEO Bob Iger.
8. Iga Swiatek
Time Magazine’s yearly list of the most influential people in the world recognizes those who are changing the world, regardless of the consequences of their actions. They are categorised as pioneers, leaders, titans, artists and innovators. Nigeria’s President-elect, Bola Tinubu made the 2023 list alongside American President, Joe Biden; Brazil President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva; and Argentine President, Daniel Scioli.
Iga Swiatek is one of the world’s top female tennis players. She is known for her advocacy on issues that she considers important to women. These include a number of social causes such as the war in Ukraine (she pins a blue-and-yellow ribbon representing that country’s flag on her hat when competing), player well-being (she boycotted this year’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals because they were scheduled immediately after the WTA Finals) and mental health.
9. Jalen Reese
The billionaire investor is one of the richest people in the world, and a major philanthropist. She's also an advocate for feminism and has contributed to denouncing sexism in the tech industry.
The former Barstool Sports podcast host has built nothing short of a content empire with her popular shows. She now hosts a weekly show for CNN that tackles thorny political topics like abortion rights and feminism.
The TikTok creator first exploded on the platform in 2020 by reacting wordlessly to botched food-delivery attempts and other relatable annoyances. Now he's got millions of followers, a massive comedy tour and a line of merchandise. He's also a genuinely good person who runs twice-monthly food drives in his hometown of Greenville, North Carolina. He's a true influencer.
10. Mory Sacko
Nigerian President-elect Bola Tinubu has been recognised as a leader in Time Magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people. The list categorises people as pioneers, leaders, titans, artists and icons.
Sacko became a household name competing in France’s Top Chef during the Covid lockdown, and then as host of Cuisine Ouverte, a TV series where he travels around France cooking with guest chefs. His restaurant, MoSuke, is a Michelin-starred spot in Paris where the menu subtly combines his Malian roots with French and Japanese influence.
He sees a shift in attitudes, for example in Paris people no longer arrive at restaurants saying west African food is greasy and rich. He says that is a positive change. He plans to expand his film and TV production business. He is an advocate for diversity in the entertainment industry.
