Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Barack Obama. Everybody in the world knows who the President of the United States. But maybe Queen of England, for those who are not quite up to date.
Although it is possible that George W. Bush is still more famous (in a Hitlerian sese) than Obama, and he is still alive.
What do you mean by "most famous"? Most people recognize his name? Or most people can associate his name with an idea? Or most people would recognize his picture?
Yeah, famous is kind of subjective. I guess I would say a combination of both. Recognizing someone's face is important but also knowing generally what they're about. Someone who has had a worldwide impact.
My first choice was Barack Obama, especially since he has been so embraced by the international community. But I think Bill Clinton is up there too. He's done a ton of humanitarian stuff around the world and his presidency is the stuff of legends (for good and bad reasons)
Before his death it probably would have been Michael Jackson. His music is hugely popular around the world.
The Pope is a contender, but the title might be more well known than the man.
The Dalai Lama is a choice as well. Who doesn't know who he is? He's also been around for so long, so his recognition spans several generations.
Beyonce and Rihanna are probably the most well known pop stars in the world right now. Although I don't know if older people in China for instance would really know who they are.
As far as athletes, I would say Muhummad Ali. He has lit the torch in two Olympic opening ceremonies, which are broadcast across the world and that speaks to his worldwide recognition.
Some others that crossed my mind: Oprah, Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth, George Bush, Madonna, Osama Bin Laden (before his death), Hillary Clinton, David Beckham, Pele
Princess Diana held the title before her death. They say she was (and maybe still is) the most photographed person in the world.
The Pope is a contender, but the title might be more well known than the man.
Even I don't know the name of the present Pope (not even his papal name), and I would not be able to pick him out of a lineup. Nor Beyonce nor Rihanna, either. I don't think I've ever heard Rihanna sing (she's a singer, right?)
I doubt if any entertainer or athlete has enough recognition in Asia and Africa, although Elvis might have had, when he was alive.
Mao would certainly have been a contender when he was alive. I think if I stepped out of a time machine in the year 3,000 or 4,000, the first person of my lifetime I would be asked about would be Mao.
Location: where people are either too stupid to leave or too stuck to move
3,982 posts, read 6,686,057 times
Reputation: 3689
It was Michael Jackson before he died but now I will go with Barack
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
