Celebrity 10 of Barbara Walters' Newsiest 'Most Fascinating People' Picks Walters began the annual televised broadcast in 1993, featuring 10 prominent figures in sports, politics and popular culture. Here are the fascinating people that fascinated us the most By Maria Yagoda Updated on December 30, 2022 10:07 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos 01 of 10 1993: Shaquille O'Neal Dick Raphael/NBAE/Getty Named Most Fascinating: Hillary ClintonWhy We Love That Shaq Made the List: It was the year the pro basketball player released his first studio album, Shaq Diesel, featuring such bangers as "(I Know I Got) Skillz" and "Shoot Pass Slam." 02 of 10 1995: Jim Carrey Jim Smeal/WireImage Named Most Fascinating: Colin PowellWhy We Love That Carrey Made the List: Two words: Ace Ventura. Oh, and two more: Batman Forever. 03 of 10 1996: Martha Stewart Ron Galella/WireImage Named Most Fascinating: Bill ClintonWhy We Love That Stewart Made the List: The lifestyle goddess was in her prime (as she still is) in '96: her magazine Martha Stewart Living did better than ever, and she continued to dominate television with her recipes and housekeeping tips. 04 of 10 1997: Ellen DeGeneres Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage Named Most Fascinating: Prince WilliamWhy We Love That DeGeneres Made the List: This was the year the actress and talk show host came out: "I decided this was not going to be something that I was going to live the rest of my life being ashamed of," she said. 05 of 10 1999: Ricky Martin Ricky Martin in October 1999. Rhona Wise/AFP/Getty Named Most Fascinating: Lance ArmstrongWhy We Love That Martin Made the List: We don't know where we would be today without the anthem of our youth, "Livin' la Vida Loca." 06 of 10 2003: The Queer Eye for the Straight Guy Cast Craig Blankenhorn/Bravo Named Most Fascinating: Hillary ClintonWhy We Love They Made the List: Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley and Jai Rodriguez paved the way for a new generation of reality television (including a reboot!) and gay stereotypes. 07 of 10 2004: Paris Hilton Peter Kramer/Getty Named Most Fascinating: Karl RoveWhy We Love That Hilton Made the List: The heiress/socialite/small dog owner achieved mega fame with The Simple Life. 08 of 10 2007: David & Victoria Beckham Mario Anzuoni/Reuters/Landov Named Most Fascinating: J.K. RowlingWhy We Love They Made the List: Further proof that the Sexiest Man Alive and his ever-sexy wife have always been 2 hot 2 handle. 09 of 10 2010: Betty White Gus Ruelas/Reuters/Landov Named Most Fascinating: David PetraeusWhy We Love That White Made the List: The queen of comedy splashed back on the scene that year with Hot in Cleveland, for which she received an Emmy nod (snatched away by Modern Family, per usual). 10 of 10 2013: Kanye West Gabriel Olsen/FilmMagic Named Most Fascinating: Hillary Clinton (again!!!)Why We Love That West Made the List: The Kanye of that era explained Kanye best: "I'm a creative genius and there's no other way to word it."