Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, has been named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025.
The magazine recognized him for his key role in guiding Bangladesh back to democracy after a student-led uprising in 2024.
In a tribute published by Time, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton praised the Nobel laureate for stepping up to lead the nation during a defining moment in its history, according to the Time Magazine.
“After a student-led uprising toppled Bangladesh’s authoritarian Prime Minister last year, a known leader stepped up to guide the nation toward democracy: Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus”, she wrote.
Clinton praised Dr Yunus in words, “Decades earlier, Yunus established the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh to empower the most marginalized communities through small loans, helping millions—97% of them women—build businesses, sustain their families, and reclaim their dignity”.
Remembering her first meeting with Professor Yunus, Clinton wrote, “I first met Yunus when he traveled to Arkansas to help then governor Bill Clinton and me set up similar programs in the U.S. Since then, wherever I’ve traveled in the world, I have witnessed the extraordinary impact of his work—lives transformed, communities lifted, and hope reborn”.
“Now, Yunus has answered his country’s call once more. As he shepherds Bangladesh out of the shadows of oppression, he is restoring human rights, demanding accountability, and laying the foundations for a just and free society”.
The Time 100 celebrates global leaders whose influence, innovation, and leadership are shaping the world.
