Luise Rainer: Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them?

The question

Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them?

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.

Luise Rainer

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Mandela. Also, artists and painters. I admire people who are creative.

Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, March 2010 source ↗

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Nigel Havers

The king – because he’s been through quite a bit and I think he’s come out the other side brilliantly.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 August 2026 source ↗

Ashley Walters British actor and rapper

My mum – I've watched her struggle financially, emotionally, mentally even, and she's come through it.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 January 2012 source ↗

Terry O'Neill British photographer

Eden Hazard, a true sportsman.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 January 2017 source ↗

Beth Ditto American singer

There are far too many to choose.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 July 2012 source ↗

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Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

To be dishonest. Sometimes people have to be dishonest in order not to hurt, but if someone is basically dishonest, that is a different matter.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, March 2010 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

My inferiority complex.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, March 2010 source ↗

Question What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? Time & hindsight

In the mountains, climbing into beautiful places—anything that has to do with nature. I feel best in nature or near nature. And I was most happy, of course, when I was with my husband and we were in beautiful landscapes.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, March 2010 source ↗

Question What does happiness look like for you when life is going well? Identity & self

First of all, to be in love. The second way of being very happy is to be able to get the best out of yourself, whatever it is.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 1 March 2010 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

To be abandoned.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, March 2010 source ↗

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