Elaine Paige: Which living person do you most admire, and why?

The question

Which living person do you most admire, and why?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

The Guardian's Q&A repeatedly uses this prompt, sometimes dropping 'living' while retaining the same comparative judgment.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Elaine Paige

English singer and actress

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

The Queen. Long may she reign.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 September 2016 source ↗

Others on this question

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Warren Buffett Chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway, 1970–2025

I think that Jay Powell in when, when the epidemic broke out, I think he acted in March of 2020 and I think if he'd waited two or three weeks, it would have been a disaster. Once the dominoes start toppling, they just start toppling and, and, and, and that line is shorter than anybody thinks, and it topples faster. And I think he did exactly the right thing, and he, he did it even stronger than Volker did. You know, I mean, he, he and Volker are my heroes at the Fed.

Recorded Becky Quick, CNBC “Squawk Box”, recorded in Omaha; CNBC's own transcript of its own broadcast, 31 March 2026 source ↗

Ian McEwan British novelist and screenwriter

Angela Merkel. Under attack from all sides, she tries to keep alive the dreams of a tolerant, inclusive, open society.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 August 2018 source ↗

Sandy Powell British costume designer

My friend [art director] Simon Costin who, in 35 years, I’ve never once seen in a bad mood.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 September 2019 source ↗

Emma Bunton British singer

My mother: she’s an inspiration. She went back to college in her 40s, started karate and became a black belt.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 June 2021 source ↗