Time 100: The world’s most influential people are revealed – and Beyonce leads the way

Time magazine publishes its annual chart, starring Beyoncé, the Pope and Pharrell

Who rules the world? Time magazine says Beyoncé, having chosen her to star on the cover of its 100 Most Influential People issue.

And who better to profile her than Facebook powerhouse Sheryl Sandberg who praises the singer for shattering “music-industry rules and sales records”. This year's Time 100 features a record number of 41 women.

“Beyoncé doesn’t just sit at the table,” said Sandberg. “She builds a better one. She raises her voice both on- and offstage to urge women to be independent and lead.”

The Pope made it onto the list, profiled by Barack Obama (who also features on the annual chart), while Pharrell Williams is celebrated by collaborator Justin Timberlake.

“Pharrell Williams is having way too much fun,” he wrote. “At 41 and still with the swagger and appearance of a college kid, he has been the biggest part of our soundtrack for the past 15 years. And you will never see him doing it without a smile on his face.”

The Brits are also represented on the list, featuring 12 Years A Slave director Steve McQueen and actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who Colin Firth describes as “alarmingly talented”.

Other notables from the acting world to appear include Matthew McConaughey, Robert Redford, Kerry Washington and Amy Adams, while in music Dolly Parton praises Miley Cyrus.

“If I didn’t know how smart and talented Miley is, I might worry about her,” said Parton. “But I’ve watched her grow up, so I don’t. She knows what she’s doing. I’m hoping that now she can relax and show people how talented she really is. ’Cause the girl can write. The girl can sing. The girl is smart. And she doesn’t have to be so drastic. But I will respect her choices. I did it my way, so why can’t she do it her way?”

In politics, Angela Merkel and Hillary Clinton were named, as were Kim Jong-Un and Vladimir Putin – who was profile by former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

“To some, Putin has ‘won’ Crimea,” said Albright. “Will he recognise his ‘victory’ is Pyrrhic — or try to repeat it? History is filled with aggressors who triumphed for a moment. Then failed.”

Read the full list here.

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