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Best Of 2014 The Most Influential People of 2014  

Mel Judson
4.2k votes 478 voters 23.3k views

List Rules Upvote the individuals who had the most influence on society in 2014, or add people you think made a significant impact on the world.

The most influential people of 2014 changed the world through politics, religion, activism, and entertainment. This list ranks the most powerful and trendy celebrities, politicians, and notable public figures from the entire year. From the Pope, to Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), to Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), this list of the most influential figures of 2014 includes all of your favorite icons who made this year what it was.

Beyonce was seemingly crowned Queen of the Universe in 2014, just as Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, and Pharrell continued to influence the world through their both their music and their offstage antics (whether good or bad). The Pope led the Catholic Church to new ideas, including more inclusive attitudes towards the gay community, while Apple's Tim Cook made history as the only openly gay CEO of a US company.

Which influential public figures mattered the most in 2014? Global trendsetters like Edward Snowden stand alongside feminist faces that shaped the year like Lena Dunham and Elizabeth Warren. From Jimmy Fallon running late night, to Vladimir Putin running the world, these important individuals were among the most influential people of the year.

Vote up the noteworthy, innovative figures below, or add an influential person who you think played a major role in changing the world during 2014. Then see who is influencing people in 2019.

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Edward Snowden is listed (or ranked) 1 on the list The Most Influential People of 2014
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1 247 VOTES

Edward Snowden changed the game for citizen journalism and government transparency. Inspiring to millions, and the enemy of thousands, Snowden is now in an undisclosed location in Russia while still influencing the world.

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Pope Francis is listed (or ranked) 2 on the list The Most Influential People of 2014
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2 283 VOTES

Pope Francis is changing the three things you never talk about at parties: sex, politics, and religion. The progressive Pope has redefined the way staunch Catholics are thinking about gay marriage and evolution.

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Malala Yousafzai is listed (or ranked) 3 on the list The Most Influential People of 2014
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3 252 VOTES

The youngest Nobel Prize laureate in history, Yousafzai continued her staunch activism for female education and human rights throughout 2014.

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Vladimir Putin is listed (or ranked) 4 on the list The Most Influential People of 2014
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4 255 VOTES

Vladimir Putin is absolutely terrifying, mostly because of how influential he is. In 2014, Putin introduced his new anti-American attitudes, waltzed right into Ukraine, and casually threatened nuclear war. 

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