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Mining magnate and green energy champion Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest is the sole Australian ranked among Time magazine’s list of 100 most influential people of 2025.
The billionaire Fortescue Metals Group chairman won kudos for transforming one of the world’s biggest mining companies into a “clean-energy powerhouse” and for his philanthropy.
Forrest is pushing to end the use of fossil fuels globally by 2040 and was described as “one of the world’s great industrialists” in a blurb written by International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol.
“With his determination to show cutting emissions and profit can go hand in hand, Andrew is the kind of pioneering business leader the world needs today,” the description said.
“He’s also been among the world’s most generous philanthropists since before it was in vogue, reflecting his passion for helping people and planet.”
The Minderoo Foundation, which Forrest founded with his ex-wife Nicola, is also one of the region’s biggest philanthropic bodies, funding humanitarian aid, projects focused on Indigenous Australians, gender equality and the environment.
United States President Donald Trump, his inner circle and cabinet ministers dominated the list, including vice president JD Vance and billionaire tech founder Elon Musk.
Titans of the sport and entertainment worlds included were singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, actor Demi Moore, tennis champion Serena Williams and the world’s most decorated gymnast Simone Biles.
French victim-survivor of rape, Gisele Pelicot — who was drugged by her husband and attacked by dozens of men — was celebrated as a global symbol of strength and survival.
Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg was lauded for his leadership on artificial intelligence, while United Kingdom Prime Minister Kier Starmer was commended for his support for Ukraine.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and pop icon Kylie Minogue dropped off the list after making it in previous years.
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