Gallup said the results were based on a December 7-11 poll. Since 1946, Gallup has asked Americans to name the man, living anywhere in the world, whom they admire most.

Mr Obama beat Mr Trump in the vote (Gallup)

Frequently, incumbent presidents win the honour; in the 70 times Gallup has asked the question, the president has won 58 times.

Obamas send their final Christmas address

The 12 exceptions were mostly times when the sitting president was unpopular, including 2008, when Americans named President-elect Obama over President George W Bush.

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Seven points behind Mr Obama was President-elect Donald Trump.

The remainder of this year’s top 10 most admired man list included Pope Francis, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, the Rev Billy Graham, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Dalai Lama, former President Bill Clinton, businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates, and Vice President-elect Mike Pence.