A much-admired person is someone who is held in high esteem by others. This could be a celebrity, a public figure, or even a close friend. In the crossword, two words were used to describe this type of person: IDOL and ICON. An IDOL is someone who is admired and respected, while an ICON is someone who is seen as a symbol of something greater. Both terms are used to describe people who are highly regarded and respected by others.