Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh's interim government, has been named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025. Former U.S. First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrote a tribute about Dr. Yunus for the magazine.
In her write-up, Hillary Clinton praised Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus for once again stepping into a leadership role at a critical juncture in the nation’s history.
She wrote that following the fall of Bangladesh’s fascist Prime Minister due to a mass uprising by students and the general public last year, a renowned leader stepped forward to guide the country toward democracy — Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
Highlighting Dr. Yunus’s groundbreaking contributions through microcredit to alleviate poverty, Hillary stated that decades ago, he founded Grameen Bank in Bangladesh to empower the most marginalized communities through small loans. Millions benefited from the initiative, 97% of whom were women. These women were able to start businesses, support their families, and reclaim their dignity.
She added that her first encounter with Dr. Yunus was when he visited Arkansas to help then-Governor Bill Clinton and her establish a similar program in the U.S. Since then, wherever she has traveled around the world, she has witnessed the profound impact of his work — transforming lives, developing communities, and reigniting hope.
Hillary further wrote that Dr. Muhammad Yunus has once again answered his country’s call. He is now leading Bangladesh out of the shadows of oppression, working to restore human rights, establish accountability, and lay the foundation for a just and free society.
TIME Magazine noted that Dr. Yunus has not only spearheaded an economic revolution but also brought hope to marginalized communities around the world. Now, he plays a crucial role in his own country’s democratic transition. At the age of 84, the Nobel-winning social entrepreneur took oath last summer to lead Bangladesh’s interim government.
Notably, on Wednesday, April 16, TIME Magazine placed Dr. Muhammad Yunus 6th in the ‘Leaders’ category of its list of the world’s 100 most influential people. Others leading the list include U.S. President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and the world’s richest person Elon Musk.