Amal Alamuddin just joined the ranks of Hillary Clinton, Steve Jobs, Nelson Mandela, and Mother Teresa.
The British barrister and new wife to George Clooney was named the most fascinating person of 2014 by none other than Barbara Walters. The famed host of the 10 Most Fascinating People broadcast introduced her list for this year on Sunday evening, Dec. 14.
A newcomer in the celebrity world, Alamuddin, 36, topped the list of this year’s honorees, joining the renowned company of previous years’ winners, which includes political powerhouses like Clinton and husband President Bill Clinton, industry innovators like Jobs, and stars at the tops of their fields such as J.K. Rowling.
While Alamuddin is recognized for her impressive legal work, the gorgeous attorney was included on Walters’ list for her personal life. Nabbing one of the world’s most sought-after bachelors, she wed Oscar winner Clooney in a grandiose three-day event in Venice, Italy this past September.
“You could say hers was the wedding of the year,” Walters said in Sunday’s broadcast. “But let’s put it into perspective: It was really one of the greatest achievements in human history.”
Alamuddin’s so-called achievement of snagging Clooney, 53, put the new Mrs. Clooney ahead of Taylor Swift, Game of Thrones creator George RR Martin, and talk show host Michael Strahan on the 2014 list. The top ten was rounded out by businessman Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, billionaire David Koch, Neil Patrick Harris, Chelsea Handler, and Scarlett Johansson.
“What does it take to fascinate one of the most fascinating men in the world?” Walters pondered of Alamuddin. “Amal Alamuddin — known now as Amal Clooney — is suddenly in that stratosphere that we reserve for the Jackie O’s or the Princess Di’s or Kate Middleton. That is, everything she does, says or wears is officially fascinating.”
