Washington: Angelina Jolie has topped a poll of the most respected celebrity do-gooders of 2007.
The actress was voted the most respected celebrity humanitarian of the year for her work as a United Nations (UN) goodwill ambassador.
The 32-year-old, who has three adopted children from poverty-stricken areas, was also recognised for her attempts to draw attention to suffering in Africa and arrange aid for displaced Iraqis.
Pop diva Madonna was voted the least respected celebrity altruist in the survey of 606 people by Reuters AlertNet.
Although the singer raised millions for orphans in Malawi, she was accused of using her influence to adopt a baby from the country without the normal legal procedures.
"People aren't stupid. They can really sense when it's just an endorsement and when somebody really means it,” Contactmusic quoted Peter Walker, director of the Feinstein International Famine Centre at Tufts University, as saying.
"Someone like Angelina Jolie comes across as having more integrity than some celebrities and a greater sense that she doesn't just do this for the publicity,” he added.
Jolie beat Bono, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Microsoft founder Bill Gates in the online poll of 606 people.
However, Bono also appeared among the top four worst celebrities, along with Madonna.
"Madonna seems to do philanthropy the way she's done Indian culture, sex, and just about everything - like a disposable fad. Hope she doesn't get bored of her adopted African kid,” one voter said.
Paris Hilton finished second on the worst celebrity do-gooder list after her aid trip to Rwanda was postponed, while Oprah Winfrey, whose South African girls' school was hit by scandal last month, came in third.
The top ten best celebrity do-gooders are:
1. Angelina Jolie
2. Bono
3. Desmond Tutu
4. Bill Gates
5. Bill Clinton
6. Jimmy Carter
7. Kofi Annan
8. Mia Farrow
9. Don Cheadle
10. Brad Pitt
The top five worst celebrity do-gooders are:
1. Madonna
2. Paris Hilton
3. Oprah Winfrey
4. Bono
5. Bob Geldof
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