The 10 Most Fascinating People 2008

Since 1993 Barbara Walters has been naming her 10 Most Fascinating People of the year. Some of the past winners have been….

 

1993 Hillary Rodham Clinton was born on October 26, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois was First Lady of the United States from 1993 – 2001, currently Senator of New York until Senate Confirmation of United States Secretary of State in 2009.

1994 Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Eastern Cape, Union of South Africa served 27 years in prison for his movement against apartheid and was President of South Africa from 1994 – 1999.

1995 Colin Powell was born on April 5, 1937 in New York, New York was National Security Advisor from 1987 – 1989, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 – 1993 and United States Secretary of State from 2001 – 2005. Colin Powell was the He was the first, and so far the only, African American to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

1997 Prince William Windsor was born on June 21, 1982 in London, England is the son of Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales and the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Prince William is the second in line of succession to King.

2002 Laura Bush was born on November 4, 1946 in Midland, Texas and is First Lady of the United States until January 20, 2009. Laura Bush is an Author and was a Teacher and a Librarian.

2004 Karl Rove was born on December 25, 1950 in Denver, Colorado and is Former Deputy White House Chief of Staff and currently a political analyst and contributor for Fox News, Newsweek, and the Wall Street Journal.

2005 Camilla Parker-Bowles was born on July 17, 1947 in Plumpton, England and is the Duchess of Cornwall and the second wife of Prince Charles. As the Duchess Camilla’s duties are to accompany the Prince of Wales on his official obligations.

2006 Nancy Pelosi was born on March 26, 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland and is the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Pelosi is the first female Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

2007 J.K. Rowling was born on July 31, 1965 in Gloucestershire, England and is a British Author who created the Harry Potter series. The Harry Potter series changed her life taking her from a single mother on welfare to a multi-millionaire.

Not everyone that Barbara Walters picks is always a hit but somehow this year there were no surprises with her selections. This year’s nine most fascinating people were …

THOMAS BEATIE is a 34 year old man who used to be a woman and is from the Pacific Northwest. Beatie became famous when he decided to carry a baby for his wife, because she had a hysterectomy several years ago. Beatie was able to get pregnant because he kept his female organs when he switched genders. Thomas Beatie became the pregnant man and is now currently pregnant with their second child.

TOM CRUISE was born on July 3, 1962 Syracuse, New York is an actor, known for his many movies; Risky Business, Top Gun, Rain Man, Born on the Fourth of July, A Few Good Men and the Mission Impossible series to name a few. He is also known for his religious beliefs and affiliation with the Church of Scientology as well as his actress wives; Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes.

MILEY CYRUS was born on November 23, 1992 in Nashville, Tennessee and is an actress and singer. Cyrus is the daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus and the star of the Disney Channel show Hannah Montana. Besides her television show Cyrus is set to start in the Hannah Montana movie and lends her voice to Penny in the movie Bolt.

TINA FEY was born on May 18, 1970 in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania is a writer, comedian, actress and producer. Tina Fey is known for her work on Saturday Night Live where she was the first female head writer, 30 Rock and most recently for her impersonation of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

FRANK LANGELLA was born on January 1, 1940 Bayonne, New Jersey and is a stage and film actor. Langella’s first film role was in 1970 in Diary of a Mad Housewife and his first lead role was as Count Dracula in Dracula in 1979. In the past 30 years he has acted on stage and in films and is currently starring in his second lead role as Richard Nixon in Frost/Nixon a role he played on stage.

RUSH LIMBAUGH was born on January 12, 1951 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and is a conservative political commentator with a nationally-syndicated talk show called The Rush Limbaugh Show. Limbaugh has been a controversial person because of his views as well as the controversies that surround him.

SARAH PALIN born February 11, 1964 in Sandpoint, Idaho was Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Governor of Alaska and the Republican Party’s vice presidential nominee and the first female vice presidential nominee for the Republican Party. Palin shot to superstardom and was the center of controversy during presidential race.

MICHAEL PHELPS was born on June 30, 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland an American swimmer and Olympic Gold Medalist. Michael Phelps amazed us all with his eight gold medals and his world record breaking moments swimming in the 2008 Olympic Games and beating Mark Spitz world record of seven gold medals.

Will Smith was born September 25, 1968 in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania he is an actor (television and film), rapper, and television producer to name a few of his talents. Will Smith started out as a rapper as the Fresh Prince working closely with DJ Jazzy Jeff, he soon moved on to television with the show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air after which came an onslaught of movies Independence Day brought Smith much success as did the Men in Black movies and Ali to name a few.

And finally the most fascinating person this year was…

BARACK OBAMA was born on August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii and is the President-elect of the United States and the first African-American to be elected President of the United States. Obama was of course an obvious decision for 2008’s most fascinating person. No matter a person’s political affiliation or choice for the next president everyone can agree that this moment in time is an amazing step for America and even the world. Obama’s promises of change, taking the country in a new direction and his “yes we can” attitude and mantra grabbed the nation by storm. With Obama’s election history was made and change has already begun. Obama was able to break down barriers and open doors for others no matter their race or sex, showing that everyone has the opportunity to become president.

Each of these people has something to offer and is truly fascinating in their own way. With so many fascinating people it will be truly interesting to see who the most fascinating person will be in 2009; one can only wonder after Obama’s incredible history making election what could possibly top that? We will simply have to wait and see.