Barbara Walters 2012 Most Fascinating People List

Barbara Walters' Most Fascinating People of 2012 were just announced, continuing on with the tradition of naming the most fascinating people of the year, an annual event that began in 1993 when Walters collected 12 of the most interesting people of the year and brought their stories together for a primetime special. The end of the year list of the most accomplished, exciting, and fascinating public figures of the year was so popular, Walters has returned to present her list of the Ten Most Fascinating People of the Year every year since.

The most controversial, the most entertaining, and the most noteworthy people of the year generally represent a cross-section of athletes, actors, politicians, military, artists, and business people from around the world. Of the people to appear most often on the list are Secretary of State and former First Lady Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, Tom Hanks, and General David Petraeus, who is 2012's Most Fascinating Person of the Year.

If they are controversial, entertaining, and engaging personalities, chances are you will find your favorite public figure on this list. Think it's Tom Hanks? Nelson Mandella? Pippa Middleton? BarYou tell us! Vote for your favorite public figure on this complete list of Barbara Walters' Most Fascinating People of the Year. And if you don't see your favorite entertainer, political figure, or entrepreneur on the list, check back for the 2013 inductees onto the list of Barbara Walters' Most Fascinating People.