Who is the most famous person alive today?

[virgocatlover]

As in, well known world wide by face or name.

I would say the Queen was up there when she was alive but not sure Charles would make the top 10 now.

Trump, Putin or Elon Musk perhaps?

Obviously there are many famous Hollywood actors and singers but are any the most famous worldwide where English isn't the first language?

I was thinking Xi or Modi, based on population sizes of their respective countries. But Messi or Ronaldo might bring in swathes of football-loving countries across South America, Africa and Europe I guess.

Difficult one since the queen died. I don't think there's one clear winner now, whereas it did used to be her. Obama pushed her close during his presidency, but I don't think he ever surpassed her. I'd also say John Paul II was in the top 3 or maybe 5 during his tenure, but none of the subsequent popes have been as recognisable.

I've had about 6 hours sleep in about 36 hours so my brain read "who is the oldest famous person alive today" and got thoroughly confused at answers like Taylor Swift

Could it be a Kardashian? Based on logic, they're consistently the most googled people they have the highest social media followings, they are very frequently in mainstream news and tabloids.

Taylor Swift is a great shout, as is Lionel Messi!

I think if Kamala Harris wins the election in November she could top the list though as the first ever female president of the USA

Really tough question, which I will be pondering all night now 🤣

Oprah

I think it would be the King, followed by Trump. It does depend a bit on whether you’re talking name or face recognition, but those two have both, partly because they’re both quite distinctive-looking. I know perfectly well who Taylor Swift is, but I’m not especially a fan and I don’t follow what she does. I could describe her, but if you put her in a lineup of pretty blonde women with pointy noses I wouldn’t put money on me picking the right one. Same with the Kardashians or any of the footballers.

People who have pointed out how diversified and even polarised popular culture is now are right- anyone who doesn’t see that is just firmly stuck in their own little bubble. Universal recognition is only going to be people deliberately trying to reach as wide an audience as possible- not just saturation of their particular target market.

20 years ago I went to some tiny villages in the middle of rural Central Africa and the kids were all about David Beckham and Michael Owen.
Football is everywhere!

This would be my guess.

I wouldn’t recognise Taylor Swift. None of my friends would either. She's ‘of the moment’ in some countries and with a certain demographic.

According to Alexa the answer is Alan Titchmarsh 🤣

I have no idea who Lionel Messi is, am just about aware of Christian Ronaldo and know Who Davud Beckham is but only because I watched the documentary on Netflix.

The Princess of Wales or Sir David Attenborough.

Probably someone you've never heard of.

Because in the grand scheme of things who is or isn't recognised on Mumsnet (or even the UK as a whole) isn't significant in terms of worldwide recognition - there's 1.4bn Chinese and 1.4bn Indians that vastly outnumber everyone else.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Whoever will grace the front pages of tabloids and broadsheets across the world the most - so I’m voting Trump too.

Football is geographically everywhere, but not across all age groups or universally both sexes. My guess would be that the vast majority of people in the world have zero interest in Hollywood/celebrity culture. Why would an 80 year old Chinese woman or a 60 year old man from Botswana have heard of Kim Kardashian, when you’re hearing 40 year old British people saying they’re barely aware of her? Celebrity culture these days is only relevant to the very young, imo. It moves too fast for people with responsibilities to bother attempting to keep up.

For young people, whoever is quite meme-able too will contribute. Trump again.

I think it would be the King, followed by Trump

OP specified "alive", so Elvis doesn't qualify.

I dont understand this.... Surely someone, for example Trump, who is (more than likely) known by a vast number of people in India and China, as well as across the world, would be more famous than one person who is only known in India or China?

This has been my favourite comment of the year!!!!! Well done! 👏👏👏

And?

Someone like Paul McCartney has sold out Venus all over the world.

Elvis

Have you heard of Shah Rukh Khan?
Because he's got over 3bn fans around the world.

I can't believe people are saying Paul McCartney - that is an age thing, many in the UK wouldn't recognise him

Tom Cruise
Meghan Markle
Bill Gates