The most famous person in the world

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I'de definitely have to say Barack Obama.

Other than his fancy duds, I wouldn't know the Pope if I passed 2 feet by him on the street. I couldn't even tell you his name.

Yes, this Pope is not as known as John Paul. He hasn't even been pope that long. So I think the position of Pope makes one famous, but if the majority of people around the world, including myself, can't even name the current Pope, he wouldn't be in a list of the most famous person in the world.

It would have been really interesting if someone had asked this question a week ago to see what the responses would have been.

 

[KristaTX]

I think I still would have said Michael Jackson was in the top 3.

 

[kinntj]

Obama! By picture and name.
Bin Laden (at least by name-people remember evil).
David Beckham
Dali Lama at least by name.
Queen Elizabeth II
GW Bush doesn't really compare to Obama. I think it's the name. It may be a funny last name, but it's memorable.

Michael Jackson is/was definately the most famous person in the World. He spanned generations and had a long career. Now that he has passed, my list is above.

 

[C.Ann]

To me, it would have been Princess Diana..

 

[CPT Tripss]

I figured that all y'all from the south would know Annie Lennox . . . she invented the air conditioner, right?

 

[happygirl]

The Pope
Oprah
Brad Pitt
The Queen
Obama
Madonna


I just have one question has anyone heard on the news anything about MJ It wss like he had vanished. I thought he was still overseas.

 

[Missy1961]

I figured that all y'all from the south would know Annie Lennox . . . she invented the air conditioner, right?

I thought she invented china.

 

[DMRick]

I know MJ was even more popular outside the US than he was here. He was certainly one of the most famous people in the world. Some reports are likening his death to Elvis and I guess I just never had that love for MJ or his music that many others had; so I don't get it.

Because I'm a little older than most of you, I'd say Elvis. However I would put Michael Jackson as a close runner up (and probably more so if you are in your 30 - 40's answering). This is just the most famous, not the most popular, right?

Elvis has been around (well, give or take some sightings) since about 1957, Michael since about 1969 so a whole other generation knew Elvis for an extra decade..although some, like my mom that would have said Elvis, have passed on.

Of course Jesus would probably win the most famous (not to be confused with popular) hands down, but I assume we are talking in modern times.

 

[Catzeyes]

I was the poster who brought up the Pope but I am not Catholic and never have been. Just figured most may know who he is. I have no clue who Annie Lennox is besides some singer.

 

[phamton]

Here is the 2008 Time Mag list....
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1725112_1726934_1726935,00.html

#1 is the video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. I can see that.

Oprah has to be there somewhere.

There's a difference between most influential (as the Time magazine lists) and famous. To me famous would be, if people saw his/her picture they would know immediately who it was. Michael Jackson's picture and Princess Di's picture would probably be recognized by almost everyone. Shigeru Miyamoto? Not likely. Most people would recognize a picture of Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, JFK, and Hitler. I don't think that Walt Disney's picture would be recognized world-wide. I think most would know his name though if they heard it.

So I guess a lot depends on how we define famous.

 

[KristaTX]

OT - I'm too afraid to start a new thread to ask because I'm sure someone will jump down my throat. . .

I haven't been watching any of the coverage since yesterday morning. Did the coroner give the results of the autopsy yet?

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

although I like Charlie, I think he was having a bad day today. By the time he got to the Evining News, he was talking about "...the Google..."

Who the heck is Annie Lennox??

I didn't know who she was until I looked at "the Google".

 

[mickaholic4077]

Oh please!!!

Yeah I know;I was kidding.(talking about Angelina Jolie)

 

[mickaholic4077]

I'm going to take a different route here. When I think "most famous person in the world", I don't tend to think entertainer.

I would say....

Dead=Jesus Christ, Hitler, or possibly Confucious (since China makes up almost 20% of the world's population, in addition to his influence trickling down to other parts of Asia, Europe, and the US)

Alive=either the Dali Lama, Obama, or GW Bush

I don't consider JC dead.

 

[wideeyes]

Oprah ? eh no, In the UK my 7 year old was talking about Michael Jackson death at school, very much doubt many of the kids even know who Oprah even is.

 

[mickaholic4077]

Also,I'm assuming that this Ronaldo person is a soccer player?

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I disagree. Famous? Yes, but only to a particular age group. There are a lot of us who could care less about him other than that some of his music was okay. Perhaps he was better known for his many, many quirks.

It doesn't matter whether you cared about him or not, the point is that you know who he is. People in the smallest hovels in the most remote corners of the Earth know who he is. THAT is what makes him the most famous person on Earth.

Exactly.... its the fact that just about everyone knew who he was...
And... only a particular age group?? My grandmother at 82, my mom at 58, me at 34, my daughters at 13 and 8... I think he spanned the generations..

I find it annoying when newspeople throw comments like that around. If there's been some sort of extremely encompassing study that shows that, fine. But to just throw something out like that? No doubt that he was ONE OF the most famous people in the world, but THE most famous?

Annoying? Who do you think fits that term of 'most famous' more?
Just curious.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

^^ Yeppers... an insanely popular soccer player.

You guys are too quick... that was in response to the comment on Ronaldo, obviously

 

[Buckalew11]

I think Jesus Christ.

Then Mickey Mouse.

Then Michael Jackson.

I don't think ''the pope"--I don't even know this one's name. I knew the last one. I think saying the Pope is like saying the President.

Oprah, Bush, Obama, Hitler, JFK should be on the list. Annie Lennox, not so much. But I did know her and loved her (their) song "Sweet Dreams" that was huge in 1983.

Did Kate Gosselin make this list? LOL, could not resist!!!

Mickey is universal. We had 2 Japanese girls visit us and they didn't know any English. I walked in with a MM shirt on and they both got extremely excited, pointed at my shirt, and squealed, "Mickey Mouse!!!" They liked me right away. Had I been in japan with the tables turned, I'd have the same reaction. Please, no one here say "he never lived."

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Michael Jackson, Elvis, Annie Lennox, and Marilyn Monroe are the most famous people that have ever lived, I'd say. Runners up would probably be Kate Moss, Walt Disney, and Angelina Jolie.

Living? That leaves Annie Lennox.

ETA - Now, you may criticize for Walt Disney being on runners up, but no one thinks Lennox without Annie. But, not that many know, of the top of their heads, WALT Disney. I'm thinking full name, actual person here. I know this is a Disney board, BUT from my experience when Non Disney fans (a good percentage of the population) think Disney, they would think maybe Mickey Mouse, Hannah Montana, Disney World, or the Cinderella Castle. NOT the actual person behind it all.

HUH... Annie Lennox...I've only heard OF her... many have not. Her and Kate Moss should not even be mentioned IMO....
Walt, yes

As of right now, it could be Barack Obama.

I don't know if there is an entertainer now who is anywhere near as worldwide famous as Elvis or Michael Jackson were. Madonna might be the closest to that.

I agree with Obama...I was thinkng him after Michael....


Sorry for 2 posts so close together...I"m going thru the thread