There are many ways to measure fame : societal media follower tally , long - condition orbicular impact or whether your friend who is n’t into pop culture recognizes them .
But who isthemost famous person in the humans ?
give generational deviation and the subjectiveness of what factors most contribute to celebrity , that ’s a little harder to answer . But here are some challenger , in no particular order .
1. Michael Jackson
With a career that sweep four decade and as themale artistwith the most No . 1 hits ( a record he now shares with Drake ) , Michael Jackson had a long - live on career . nickname the King of Pop , Jackson ( had and continues to have ) ball-shaped appeal .
His record album , " Thriller , " is one of the well - marketing of all times worldwide . His euphony telecasting for " Thriller " was even inducted into the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress .
2. Princess Diana
Diana , Princess of Wales , known as Princess Diana , is one of the most famous people in the world . About750 million viewerstuned in to watch her marry Prince Charles , and about 16 long time afterwards , an estimated2.5 billion peoplewatched her funeral .
Though she marry the then - next Billie Jean King of the United Kingdom , what made Princess Diana so well - loved was her kindness and benevolent contributions . Princess Diana famously hugged a 7 - year - old male child with AIDS , helping to take exception the stigma against the infection .
3. Barack Obama
Barack Obama made history as the area ’s first black-market president . The former chair win theNobel Peace Prize in 2009 . Before serving as the 44th president , Obama was a U.S. senator from Illinois .
4. Leo Messi
As one of the undecomposed soccer player of all clock time , Leo Messi is one of the most notable people in the creation . The Argentine soccer star has win eight Ballon d’Or awards . His popularity on the field has also made him one of the most - followed business relationship on Instagram , where he has 505 million followers .
5. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is also one of the great association football player of all time . The five - time Ballon d’Or winner became the first to score900 goals , a phonograph recording he set in September 2024 . His Instagram account , where he shares photos of his family and piece of work , boasts 648 million follower .
6. Beyoncé
Beyoncé first became famous as the confidential information singer of Destiny ’s minor . Her celebrity has only grown since then .
In 2023 , the singer and actress ship on the 56 - stopRenaissance World Tour , which gross $ 579 million . That same year , she broke the criminal record for themost Grammy win .
In December 2024 , 65 million people tuned into to observe her Christmas Day NFL halftime functioning , which have cameo appearing from artists Post Malone and Brittney Spencer and girl Blue Ivy .
7. Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. was a terpsichorean before he became famous . His acting calling traverse five decades and includes persona like Sherlock Holmes and Charlie Chaplin .
He helped set in motion the Marvel Cinematic Universe with his role as Iron Man . He guide the ensemble cast of the Avengers in one of thehighest - grossingfilm franchise .
In 2024 , he advance an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for " Oppenheimer , " three decades after his first nominating speech for " Chaplin . " He won a Golden Globe that same year .
8. Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe , born Norma Jeane Mortenson , has had a lasting influence on soda water culture . From the charming characters she portrayed in movies like " Some Like It Hot " to her personal life sentence , the great unwashed stay interested in Monroe .
In 2022 , Kim Kardashian drew controversy and attending for donning ( and prejudicious ) the Bob Mackie clothes Monroe wore to sing " Happy Birthday " to President John F. Kennedy .
9. Jeon Jungkook
Jungkook , a fellow member of the South Korean group BTS , is one of the most famous people on Earth . For more than a tenner , he and his fellow member have sold out concert and set records . In November 2023 , he released his debut record album , " Golden , " which critic praised .
10. Jeff Bezos
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is not only one of the most illustrious people , he ’s also one of the richest . The billionaire is regularly on one-year lists of thewealthiest people .
11. Justin Bieber
Pop ace Justin Bieber got his start on YouTube and eventually went on to global fame . Bieber has 294 million following on Instagram .
