1) Esteemed 2) Had a high opinion of 3) Held a high opinion of 4) Held in high regard 5) Held in regard 6) Highly regarded 7) In high repute 8) Like role models 9) Looked up to 10) Loved 11) Popular 12) Regarded with admiration 13) Respected 14) Thought a lot of 15) Thought highly of 16) Thought much of 
• (imp. & p. p.) of Admire • (a.) Regarded with wonder and delight; highly prized; as, an admired poem. • (a.) Wonderful; also, admirable.
Ad·mired' adjective 1. Regarded with wonder and delight; highly prized; as, an admired poem. 2. Wonderful; also, admirable. [ Obsolete] ' Admired disorder.' ' Admired Miranda.' Shak. 
[adj] - regarded with admiration
admired Regarded with admiration.
adjective regarded with admiration