Forbes has released its annual list of the World’s Most Powerful Celebrities, and the name on the top of the list is perhaps the most surprising of all. It’s not just that Robert Pattinson made the list, but that he’s been named as one of the most powerful celebrities in the world. Now, we should point out that Forbes doesn’t actually put a numerical value on their power rankings, so this isn’t exactly an objective measure. But it’s nonetheless fascinating to see how far Robert Pattinson’s celebrity has spread, and how much influence he’s gained in such a short space of time.

He’s A Film Personality

Before the Twilight films, Pattinson’s biggest (and arguably most successful) role was in the film adaptation of The Hunger Games, in which he played the part of taunted and tortured rebel district 12 leader, Haymitch. If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll know what a massive impact he had on viewers with his performance – particularly in the scenes in which he’s forced to turn his back on fellow district 12ers, including the unforgettable ‘Reaper’ character, who fans will know is named after Haymitch. But beyond his film career, Robert Pattinson has always been a pop culture phenomenon – thanks in large part to his stunning looks. Whether he’s fronting the biggest fashion brand on the planet or just posing in his underwear for GQ, he’s always been surrounded by adoring fans. When news broke in 2015 that he was dating Kate Winslet (then just a month after his breakup with long-term partner Eva Mendes), the two were hailed as the ‘Royal Couple of Pop Culture’. In addition to his film career, Robert Pattinson has been a prominent fixture in the celebrity world, gracing the covers of magazines and appearing in countless high-profile events and public appearances, often alongside high profile celebrities.

He’s A Social Media Personality

While we’re on the subject of pop culture, it’s worth bearing in mind that social media was nowhere near as prominent a platform as it is now back in the day when the Twilight films were first released. Back in the day, users mainly connected with each other online through real-life social spaces like parties and nightclubs. But today, people are more likely to come into contact with others through digital spaces like Facebook and Instagram – and it seems that Robert Pattinson knows how powerful these platforms can be. From his very first post on Instagram in 2012 to his most recent video, Robert Pattinson is always busy engaging with his audience. Whether he’s posting about his latest venture or simply showing off his perfect hair or striking outfits, the social media personality always has something new to share with his followers.

He’s A Business Entrepreneur

If pop culture was one area in which Robert Pattinson shone, it was in his entrepreneurial pursuits. From the very beginning, it was apparent that he had a natural talent for business and enjoyed being able to provide for his family. In a 2015 interview with Variety about his new foundation, Pattinson said, ‘For me, being able to provide a better future for my family and for child actors is very important. There isn’t a lot of long-term security in this industry – it can be very cyclical. I want to make sure that when my daughter turns 18 she doesn’t have to worry about finding work.’ And it seems that he’s pursued this dream with gusto, setting up several companies of her own, most notably Waterstone, which provides luxury residential accommodation for children and their families.

It’s evident that Robert Pattinson is driven by a desire to give his family a stable future. So much of what he does now seems aimed at providing for them, from launching a clothing range to buying a lavish mansion. But while we admire his achievements, we don’t necessarily agree with placing him at number one on this list. After all, in an objective sense, he hasn’t actually done that much – his fame and influence largely come from his association with some of the most popular films and television shows in history. But perhaps it’s something to do with his unfailing good looks and magnetic personality that have made him so desirable – even if what he does now seems more like a job than a passion.

Who Is Robert Pattinson Dating Now?

On the subject of pop culture, an interview with Time in 2016 shed light on just who Robert Pattinson is currently dating. While in the past he’s mostly been linked to high profile women, the interviewer asked about the changes in his dating landscape since moving to Los Angeles with his family. ‘I’ve been really lucky,’ he replied. ‘I’ve been doing some exploring and have met a lot of interesting people. I’ve become very open minded.’ It seems that Robert Pattinson has found love in a number of different directions, which is impressive considering his previous relationships, many of which were with women.

From his early days as an actor, to a brief relationship with Gwyneth Paltrow, to his stint in rehab, Robert Pattinson has certainly had his share of heartache. But his good looks and charm have always managed to turn a girl’s head (and their panties too, it seems), and it’s led to a truly impressive amount of high-profile dating. To find out more about who is Robert Pattinson dating now, check out the Time article here.