For the third straight year, US President Barack Obama ranks as the man most admired by Americans.

Hillary Clinton (L) and Barack Obama

The annual USA Today-Gallup poll, released Monday, finds that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is the most admired woman for the ninth year in a row. Clinton edges out former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and TV host Oprah Winfrey, as she did last year.

The poll asks respondents to name the man, and the woman, living in any part of the world, they admire most.

Obama has been the poll's most admired man since his election in 2008. Following Obama on the list this year are former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Hillary Clinton has been the most admired woman 15 times since 1992.