Hilary Clinton, Laura Bush and J. Lo are US favourites

Hillary Rodham Clinton, Laura Bush and J. Lo have something in common: Americans like them.

A Gallup poll found the nation divided in the contest for "most admired" woman. Among men, President George W. Bush remained the clear favourite for the second year in a row.

Clinton, the former first lady who now represents New York in the Senate, and her successor in the White House, Laura Bush, topped Gallup's list of women along with TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey.

Jennifer Lopez's new movie and album, along with heavy media coverage of her pending wedding nuptials to actor Ben Affleck, boosted her to the sixth spot.