Who Is the Most Famous Person in the World? Here Are 17 People Who Fit the Bill

Famous people are everywhere. In a world where reality television is king, anyone can become famous. Whether it’s in movies, television, sport, or politics, famous people are part of our lives. Throughout history there have been many famous people who changed the world, cementing their place in history.

Some celebrities are so renowned everyone knows their name even if they don’t actually know anything about the person. Famous celebs dominate their respective careers, winning hundreds of awards while spreading their teachings to cause social change. They transcend their profession to become larger-than-life cultural icons that will never be forgotten. They’re incredibly influential, impacting fashion, style, and society. But which one is the most famous? Here is a selection of people who we think fit the bill. 

1. Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings and beliefs in nonviolent resistance spread worldwide, inspiring the civil rights movement. Gandhi pushed for reducing poverty, increasing women’s rights, and self-rule through his protests in South Africa and India.

He played a vital role in gaining India’s independence from British rule. Gandhi became a cultural icon whose nonviolent teachings and acceptance are just important in today’s society as when he first began spreading his message. The self-styled guru was nominated for the Nobel Prize several times but never won it. Sadly, a Hindu Nationalist, Nathuram Godse, assassinated Gandhi in Delhi in 1948. 

2. Oprah Winfrey

“The Queen of all Media,” Oprah Winfrey became a household name as the host of The Oprah Winfrey Show from 1986 to 2011. For 25 years, Winfrey dominated daytime TV while reinventing the daytime talk show format. Born into poverty in Mississippi, Winfrey became one of the wealthiest people on the planet.

Winfrey has received many awards during her career and was also nominated for an Academy Award for her role in The Color Purple. She’s famous for her philanthropy and for giving back to the community, with the world-famous billionaire forming the Oprah Winfrey Network, which remains a hugely influential media conglomerate. 

3. Jesus Christ

Historians and scholars agree the first-century Jewish preacher Jesus Christ existed historically. Sometimes called a rabbi, Jesus gained a loyal following as he engaged in healing, discussed how to follow God best, and instructed using parables. His popularity remained a threat to other religions and Jewish authorities arrested him and turned him over to the Roman government, who ordered his crucifixion.

In Christianity, Jesus is a central figure believed to be God’s son. The four Gospels of the New Testament in the Bible recount his life. Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead three days after his death, ascended to heaven, and will one day return to save his followers. Historians and scholars question the reliability of the Gospels and historical records, but that hasn’t stopped billions of people from believing. 

4. Barack Obama

With his charisma and passion for change, Barack Obama became one of the most recognizable people alive. He’s best known for making history as the first African-American President of the United States. During his time in office, Obama tackled the Global Financial Crisis, ordered the military operation that killed Osama Bin Laden, and created the Affordable Care Act.

In 2009, Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize for breaking down barriers. Obama’s two terms saw the economy improve, jobs increase, and America’s global reputation enhanced. Since leaving office, he has written several best-selling books, including Dreams from my Father, Audacity of Hope, and A Promised Land. 

5. Elvis Presley 

In the 1950s, the “King of Rock & Roll,” Elvis Presley, exploded onto the music scene becoming a cultural icon transcending time. Presley became one of the most controversial figures at the time due to his provocative performances. His use of African-American music only added fuel to the fire.

Despite all this, Presley became a global star selling over 500 million records worldwide and winning three Grammy Awards. Sadly the latter years of his career were a struggle, with Presley dying in 1977 at 42 after years of unhealthy eating habits and substance abuse. He remains one of the best-selling artists of all time. 

6. William Shakespeare

Born in 1564, William Shakespeare’s one of the most influential writers in history. Some of his best work appeared between 1589 and 1613. His famous plays entertained hundreds of people during his lifetime. After his death, his plays remain part of pop culture with new performances and interpretations of his outstanding work.

Shakespeare was a master of all genres but thrived with comedies, histories, and tragedies. His most famous plays include Macbeth, Hamlet, and Romeo & Juliet. 

7. Joe Biden

The current President of the United States, Joe Biden, has lived a life of great triumphs and even more significant losses. Biden began his political career in the 1970s, becoming one of the youngest senators elected to the Senate. In 1988 and 2008, he made two failed attempts to run for President.

Instead, Biden served as the Vice-Presdent to President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. Biden has also endured tragic moments such as the deaths of his first wife, one-year-old daughter, and son, Beau. His empathetic nature and understanding helped Biden win the 2020 Presidential election. 

8. Kim Kardashian 

Kim Kardashian is the most famous member of the Kardashian-Jenner family. The socialite and reality star became a household name after starring in Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Kardashian’s personal life and relationships, notably those with Ray J (who she starred in a sex tape with) and Pete Davidson (her first relationship after the breakdown of her marriage to Kanye West), made significant headlines.

Her marriage to rapper West gained much media attention, raising both of their profiles. As well as a media influencer, Kardashian is also a fashion icon and trendsetter who often breaks the Internet on a regular basis. 

9. Robert Downey Jr. 

In the 80s and 90s, Golden Globe winner Robert Downey Jr. rose to the top of Hollywood with an outstanding performance in Chaplin. But it wasn’t long before his career went on a downward spiral due to substance abuse and several infamous run-ins with the law.

Downey had several stints in rehab and finally managed to turn his life around. He climbed his way back to the top of the Hollywood tree portraying Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

10. Cristiano Ronaldo 

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest players to step on the field. He’s the captain of Portugal’s National team and the Saudi Professional League club Al Nassr. He has also played for Manchester United, Juventus, Real Madrid, and Sporting Clube de Portugal.

As one of the most gifted soccer players of all time, he has won numerous championships and accolades, notably the UEFA European Championship, Ballon d’Or, and UEFA Champions League.

With over 800 goals scored, Ronaldo is easily among the best players in history. He’s so famous that Madeira even named their airport the Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport. 

11. Taylor Swift

The Grammy award-winning Taylor Swift is among the best-selling musicians ever. She’s released several chart-topping albums, such as Fearless, Speak Now, and 1989. She has a fiercely loyal fan base that loves everything she does. Her personal life and relationships make significant headlines globally, justifying her place on this list of the most famous people in the world. 

12. Kylie Jenner

Kylie Jenner first gained fame on the reality series Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Jenner is quickly becoming the star of the family. She’s an entrepreneur involved with several businesses, notably a cosmetics line. Jenner’s love life attracts worldwide news too, such as her relationships with Tyga and Travis Scott. 

13. Justin Bieber

Few artists compare with Canadian singer Justin Bieber. He is a multi-time Grammy award winner and one of the best-selling solo artists in recent history. He became an international phenomenon and teen idol with top-rated albums My World 2.0, Believe, and Purpose.

His personal life and relationships often garner Bieber even more attention than his music, such as his relationship with Selena Gomez and his eventual marriage to Hailey Baldwin.  

As he reached the peak of his career, Bieber’s image took a hit due to his out-of-control and wild behavior. However, he managed to rehab his image in the last few years and is now a respected entertainer. 

14. Dwayne Johnson

There isn’t a person in the world who hasn’t heard of Dwayne Johnson. He first gained fame as WWE superstar The Rock before becoming a blockbuster movie star. Johnson has starred alongside prominent Hollywood names such as Kevin Hart, Gal Gadot, Ryan Reynolds, and Priyanka Chopra.

In addition to his movie career, Johnson starred in the HBO series Ballers and the autobiographical drama Young Rock. He’s also a part owner of the XFL football league. 

15. Jeff Bezos

Billionaire Jeff Bezos is one of the wealthiest people on Earth. The founder and former CEO of Amazon, Bezos vision changed online shopping in ways nobody could imagine.

He’s also made news for flying to space with his half-brother Mark for ten minutes aboard Blue Origin NS-16 in 2021, and for his 2019 divorce from ex-wife Mackenzie, which was one of that year’s biggest news stories. 

16. Elon Musk

Business tycoon Elon Musk is involved with some of the most famous brand names in the world. He’s best known as the former CEO of Tesla Inc. Musk is also the founder and CEO of Spacex. He’s one of the wealthiest people on the planet, with a roughly $196 billion net worth.

In 2022, Musk purchased the social media site Twitter. He’s made headlines for making controversial statements and spreading misinformation about Covid-19. 

17. Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson is one of history’s most famous and controversial pop stars. To his fans, Jackson is the “King of Pop” and one of the most influential musicians of all time. He released several groundbreaking albums, such as Thriller, Bad, and Dangerous. 

To others, he is nothing but a monster. Several victims accused Jackson of sexually assaulting them as children, leading to several court cases and some disturbing documentaries about Jackson. He also made headlines due to his changing appearance, with Jackson’s skin color getting lighter during the 90s.

Even with all the bad press and passing away in 2009 aged 50, Jackson continues to sell millions of records, remaining one of the most famous celebs in history.