17 Famous Blind People Who Have Made Their Mark
For centuries, famous blind people have been the brightest scientific minds, deep thinkers, groundbreaking musicians, show-stealing actors, and more. People face many difficult obstacles in life that can be challenging to overcome. Most people quit when times get tough or don’t even try in the first place. Then there are those few that won’t let anything stand in their way.
Famous blind historical figures and celebrities have helped shape the world. They’ve paved the way for other blind people to achieve their dreams. They’re an inspiration to the visually impaired and anyone that has a goal. These famous blind people were highly influential and transcended time. Some of the most famous blind people made groundbreaking achievements that improved the lives of other blind people. At the same time, iconic composers and trendsetting musicians broke barriers, changing the industry in unimaginable ways.
1. Louise Braille
At age three, Louis Braille lost his eyesight after an accident with a stitching awl. He suffered an infection that quickly spread to both eyes. Despite the horrible accident, Braille managed to gain an education that resulted in a groundbreaking creation.
In the mid-1800s, Louis Braille invented braille writing, allowing blind people to read by touching a sequence of bumps. Braille writing changed the life for every blind person in the world. It is still used today and remains the same with a few adjustments over time. The terrible accident resulted in Louis Braille changing the world and helping disabled people.
2. Helen Keller
Helen Keller was an author and disability rights advocate. She was a pioneer among blind people and made groundbreaking accomplishments. Keller lost her sight and hearing when she was 18 months due to an illness. Later, Keller learned to read and write after meeting Anne Sullivan.
Keller went on to pursue an education and attended Harvard University’s Radcliffe College in 1900. She became the first blind and deaf person to graduate college with a Bachelor of arts degree. Keller had a successful career as an author and activist. She’s easily one of the most famous blind people.
3. Ray Charles
Ray Charles will go down in history as one of the most groundbreaking musicians of all time. In the 50s, Charlies pioneered the soul music sound and released several chart-topping singles. He began losing his eyesight around age five and was blind at seven. However, he didn’t let anything stand in his way of becoming a world-famous musician.
After learning to play the piano, Charles became one of the biggest icons in the industry. Later, Ray Charles struggled with drug addiction but overcame that as well. Charles’s music transcends time and remains highly influential. He’s one of the most famous blind people.
4. Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp is one of the most recognizable faces in the world. He’s had a long career and starred in several critically acclaimed classics. It’s safe to say he’s one of the biggest stars in the world. In 2013, Depp shockingly announced that he’s visually impaired in a Rolling Stone interview.
He admitted to having poor eyesight since his birth. Depp added that he’s blind in one eye and partially blind in the other. Clearly, Depp hasn’t let that slow down his career. He is one of the highest-paid leading men in Hollywood. He’s also one of the most famous blind people.
5. Erik Weihenmayer
When Erik Weihenmayer was 15 months old, his parents discovered he had juvenile retinoschisis and would be blind by age 13. Weihenmayer didn’t let that hold him back. Instead, he did the opposite and refused to use a cane when he started losing his vision.
As he lost his eyesight, he realized he had a knack for mountain climbing. On May 25, 2001, Weihenmayer entered the history books as the first blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest. He later completed the Seven Summits, cementing his legacy as a legend and inspiration for visually impaired people. He’s now a motivational speaker passing on his desire to be the best and never give up.
6. Laura Bridgeman
In the late 1800s, Laura Bridgeman paved the way for blind people like Helen Keller to gain an education. Bridgeman lost her vision and hearing after contracting scarlet fever as a child. She didn’t let this stop her from becoming the first blind and deaf American child to receive an education.
She attended the Perkins Institute for the Blind and became friends with Anne Sullivan. Bridgeman’s accomplishments broke down barriers and changed the lives of blind people forever. She might not be as famous as the others, but her impact is lasting.
7. Stevie Wonder
There isn’t a person in the world that hasn’t heard of the iconic Stevie Wonder. In the 70s, Wonder quickly became a household name with a string of number one hits. Wonder lost his eyesight just after his birth but learned to live with his disability. He didn’t let it stop him from fulfilling his destiny.
He signed to Motown Records when he was 11 and learned from the very best. Wonder went from a child star to a music icon who transcends time. His music continues to influence young musicians and will continue for centuries. Stevie Wonder is undoubtedly a famous blind person.
8. Anne Sullivan
Anne Sullivan is a crucial historical figure that helped change the perception of the visually impaired. Sullivan contracted the eye disease trachoma as a child. She was partially blind for the rest of her life but got an education at Perkins School for the Blind. After graduating, Sullivan would take on her most important role as the teacher of Helen Keller.
Sullivan helped Keller gain an education at school for the blind and more mainstream schools as well. Eventually, Keller would make history and become the first blind person to graduate from Radcliffe College with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Sullivan played a key role in Keller’s success.
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9. Stephen King
Stephen King is one of the great authors of his generation and easily one of the best-known authors still getting it done. He has written critically acclaimed novels that have had a lasting impact on the world.
King suffers from macular degeneration, which is causing him to lose his eyesight. As he gets older, King continues to slowly lose his sight. A clue to his failing vision is the fact his glasses get thicker. Regardless, King remains a groundbreaking and highly influential writer.
10. Andrea Bocelli
The Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli is one of the greatest musicians in history. Few vocalists compare with his extraordinary gift and skills. He was born with poor eyesight caused by glaucoma. Later, he completely lost his vision after an accident during a football match.
Before the accident, Bocelli felt drawn toward music. He was learning to play the piano at age six and continued to pursue his passion after going blind. He went on to become an icon and trendsetter. Bocelli released memorable pop albums, unforgettable classical singles, and breathtaking operas.
11. Thom Yorke
Thom Yorke overcame several obstacles and a difficult childhood to become one of the most recognizable voices in modern music. He is best known as the lead singer of Radiohead. His early childhood shaped Yorke into who he is today.
He was born with a paralyzed eye and underwent several surgeries. After a botched surgery, he decided he wasn’t having any more. Luckily, Yorke didn’t let his poor eyesight dictate his career. Yorke is another famous blind person who deserves a spot on this list.
12. George Shearing
Every musician was in awe of blind piano player George Shearing. He was one of the most talented jazz pianists. Shearing’s skills led him to the top of the charts and an incredible career.
He was born blind but didn’t let that stop him from mastering the piano by age three. Shearing continued his education and training until he was ready to dominate the music industry. He’s one of the most famous blind people from the UK and has had a huge impact on people in the country.
13. Thomas Gore
As a child, Thomas Gore was in two separate incidents that changed his life forever. The accidents resulted in Gore losing his eyesight at a young age. However, he wasn’t going to let something minor like blindness stop him from achieving every one of his goals and dreams.
In 1907, Gore became one of the first senators from Oklahoma. Later, Gore joined the Democratic Party, but his anti-war sentiment put him at odds with the others. Gore is one of the most famous blind politicians.
14. Jeff Healey
Jeff Healey is one of Canada’s most famous blind people. He refused to allow anything to stand in his way of becoming Canada’s greatest blues singer. Healey had an outstanding career in Canada and around the globe. Healey’s life is an inspiration to other blind people and those struggling in life.
For instance, Healy lost his eyesight as a one-year-old due to a rare eye cancer. Doctors had no choice but to remove his eyes and give him an ocular prosthesis. Regardless of his condition, Healey learned to play the guitar by age three and formed his first band at 15. Healey is one of the most memorable blind Canadian musicians.
15. John Milton
Poet John Milton was a brilliant mind and an important historical figure in Britain’s history. He is best known for writing the critically acclaimed poem Paradise Lost in 1667. Milton firmly believed in freedom of speech and helped shape literature at the time.
Suddenly, in the 1650s, everything changed when Milton lost his eyesight due to glaucoma. Milton changed his writing style and approach because of his blindness. He would simply dictate his poem or work and have an assistant write them down. Despite being blind, Milton continued to be a force in England.
16. Jose Feliciano
Jose Feliciano is one of the great Puerto Rican musicians. He’s a highly skilled musician that blends different sounds into one. He has released several major hits, such as “Feliz Navidad” and his cover of the Doors’ “Light My Fire.”
Feliciano was born visually impaired due to glaucoma. However, he adjusted to life and his blindness from an early age. By age three, he was already exploring his love for music. He even taught himself how to play several instruments, including a guitar. He’s easily one of the famous blind people still alive today.
17. Blind Willie Johnson
In the 1930s, there was no gospel blues singer on Blind Willie Johnson’s level. In fact, his name says it all. He released several popular songs and influenced every generation after him. He often worked with the biggest names in the industry.
Johnson was not born blind or with a medical condition. He lost his sight at a young age, but there’s very little on record. Most historians agree that Johnson’s stepmother blinded him when he was seven. Regardless, Johnson wasn’t going to let that stand in his way. He overcame his stepmother and blindness to become one of the best musicians in history.
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