Who has the Highest IQ in the World - Top 10 Intellects
by B Kishwar
Updated Apr 05, 2023
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Who has the Highest IQ in the World?
The concept of IQ (intelligence quotient) is a measure of cognitive ability that is widely used to evaluate a person's intellectual potential. However, determining who has the highest IQ in the world can be difficult, as there are many different IQ tests and no single test is universally accepted as the standard.
Some people claim to have the highest IQ scores ever recorded, but the validity and reliability of these claims are often disputed. Additionally, there are many factors that can influence IQ scores, such as cultural background, education, and environmental factors, which makes it difficult to compare scores across individuals and populations.
Overall, while there are individuals who have achieved extremely high IQ scores, the notion of a definitive "highest IQ in the world" is a complex and controversial topic that requires careful consideration of many different factors.
Top 10 People with Highest IQ in the World
The world's most intelligent individuals come from diverse backgrounds and possess a wide range of talents and skills. Some of them excel in fields like mathematics, science, and engineering, while others are known for their creative talents in music, painting, and writing. There are also many high-IQ individuals who possess remarkable leadership qualities. Despite their differences, these exceptional individuals share one common trait: their extraordinary intelligence. This post has discussed some of the individuals who are often considered to have the highest IQ scores in the world.
S. No
Name of the Person
IQ Level
1
William James Sidis
IQ 250-300
2
Terence Tao
IQ 225-230
3
Marilyn vos Savant
IQ 228
4
Christopher Hirata
IQ 225
5
Kim Ung-Yong
IQ 210
6
Garry Kasparov
IQ 194
7
Leonardo da Vinci
IQ 180-190
8
Benjamin Bloom
IQ 180-190
9
Judit Polgar
IQ 170
10
Stephen Hawking
IQ 160
1. William James Sidis (IQ 250-300)
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William James Sidis is believed to be the person with the highest IQ in history, with an estimated IQ range between 250 and 300. Born in 1898 in New York City, Sidis was a child prodigy who reportedly learned to read at the age of two and spoke several languages fluently by the age of five. He attended Harvard University at the age of 11 and graduated cum laude at the age of 16. However, despite his exceptional intelligence, Sidis struggled with social skills and experienced mental health issues in his later years. He eventually withdrew from public life and worked odd jobs until his death at the age of 46.
Sidis was an accomplished writer, mathematician, and historian, but his life was marked by controversy and misunderstanding. He was often portrayed as a freak or a failure, and his legacy has been the subject of much debate among scholars and the general public alike.
2. Terence Tao (IQ 225-230 )
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Terence Tao is a contemporary mathematician with an IQ estimated to be between 225 and 230. Born in Adelaide, Australia, in 1975, Tao demonstrated exceptional mathematical talent from an early age and began attending university courses at the age of nine. He earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University at the age of 21 and has since become a leading expert in a wide range of mathematical fields.
Tao has won numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to mathematics, including the Fields Medal in 2006, which is considered the highest honour in the field. He is also known for his work in education and has written several influential textbooks and papers on mathematical pedagogy. Despite his extraordinary intellectual abilities, Tao is known for his humility and down-to-earth demeanour. He has stated that his goal is not to be the smartest person in the room but to work collaboratively with others to solve complex problems and advance the field of mathematics.
3. Marilyn vos Savant (IQ 228)
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Marilyn vos Savant is a columnist, author, and public figure with an IQ estimated to be 228. Born in Missouri in 1946, vos Savant gained national attention in 1985 when she was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as having the highest recorded IQ. She has since become a popular media personality and has written a weekly column for Parade magazine for over 30 years.
Vos Savant is known for her advocacy of rational thinking and critical reasoning skills, and she has been a vocal critic of pseudoscience and superstition. She has also written several books on a variety of subjects, including mathematics, logic, and philosophy. Despite her high intelligence, vos Savant has faced criticism and controversy throughout her career. In particular, her response to a question about a probability puzzle in 1990 sparked widespread debate and criticism, with many experts and laypeople disagreeing with her answer. Nonetheless, vos Savant remains a respected and influential figure in the world of intellectualism and critical thinking.
4. Christopher Hirata (IQ 225)
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Christopher Hirata is an American astrophysicist who is widely recognized as one of the smartest people in the world, with an IQ of 225. He gained international recognition at the age of 13 when he became the youngest gold medalist at the International Physics Olympiad. He was then invited to work for NASA, where he assisted in the development of a mission to study dark energy. Hirata received his Ph.D. from Princeton University at the age of 22 and later joined the faculty of the California Institute of Technology. He has received numerous awards and honors for his groundbreaking work in astrophysics, including the MacArthur Fellowship in 2012.
5. Kim Ung-Yong (IQ 210 )
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Kim Ung-Yong is a South Korean former child prodigy who is considered one of the smartest people in the world, with an IQ of 210. He was recognized by Guinness World Records as having the highest IQ in the world in 1990, at the age of 8. He was invited to work for NASA at the age of 15 and later earned a Ph.D. in civil engineering from Colorado State University. Kim has worked as a professor at Chungbuk National University in South Korea and has published numerous research papers in his field of expertise.
6. Garry Kasparov (IQ 194 )
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Garry Kasparov is a Russian chess grandmaster and former World Chess Champion who is widely considered one of the greatest chess players of all time. He is also recognized as one of the smartest people in the world, with an IQ of 194. Kasparov first gained international recognition at the age of 22 when he became the youngest ever undisputed World Chess Champion. He held this title for 15 years and played against several notable opponents, including IBM's Deep Blue computer. Kasparov is also a prolific writer and commentator on chess and politics, and has been involved in Russian opposition politics in recent years.
7. Leonardo da Vinci (IQ 180-190 )
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Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most renowned figures of the Renaissance period, and his contributions to the fields of art and science are still celebrated today. His IQ is estimated to be between 180-190, making him one of the smartest people in history. Da Vinci's vast range of skills and interests included painting, sculpture, mathematics, engineering, and anatomy. He was also a prolific inventor, designing machines for military and civilian use. Da Vinci's work on the human body, particularly his studies of the circulatory system and the structure of the heart, were centuries ahead of his time. His famous artworks, such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, are considered masterpieces and continue to inspire generations of artists.
8. Benjamin Bloom (IQ 180-190 )
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Benjamin Bloom was an American psychologist who is best known for his development of Bloom's Taxonomy, a framework for categorising educational goals and objectives. He is also considered to have had an IQ of 180-190. Bloom made significant contributions to the field of educational psychology, particularly in the areas of talent development, educational evaluation, and instructional design. He was a prolific author, writing many influential books and articles on education and psychology. Bloom's work has had a lasting impact on the field of education, and his taxonomy is still widely used today to guide instructional planning and assessment.
9. Judit Polgar (IQ 170 )
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Judit Polgar is a Hungarian chess grandmaster who is widely considered to be one of the greatest chess players of all time. Her IQ is estimated to be around 170, which is exceptionally high even among elite chess players. Polgar's rise to the top of the chess world was remarkable, as she became the youngest grandmaster in history at the age of 15. She has defeated many of the top male players in the world, including Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov. Polgar's success in a male-dominated field has also made her a role model for young women interested in chess and other STEM fields.
10. Stephen Hawking (IQ 160 )
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Stephen Hawking was an English theoretical physicist and cosmologist who is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century. His IQ is estimated to be around 160, which is exceptional even among scientists. Hawking made many significant contributions to the field of physics, including his work on black holes, the Big Bang theory, and the nature of time. He also wrote several popular science books, including A Brief History of Time, which became an international bestseller. Despite suffering from a debilitating motor neuron disease, Hawking continued to work and make significant contributions to science until his death in 2018. His work has had a profound impact on our understanding of the universe and has inspired countless young people to pursue careers in science and technology.
Who has the Highest IQ Ever?
Marilyn vos Savant is the person with the highest IQ ever. He is an American author, columnist, and public speaker who is best known for having one of the highest recorded IQ scores in the world. According to Guinness World Records, she has the highest IQ ever recorded, with a score of 228. This score is so high that it is believed that only a handful of people in the world have ever achieved a higher score. Born in 1946, vos Savant gained national attention in 1985 when she began writing a weekly column for Parade magazine called "Ask Marilyn." In this column, she would answer questions from readers on a wide range of topics, from science and maths to history and literature. Her answers were often praised for their clarity and insight, and she quickly became a popular figure in the media.
In addition to her column, vos Savant has also written several books on various subjects, including puzzles, education, and philosophy. She has been a frequent guest on television and radio shows, and has been recognized for her contributions to education and public service. Despite her high IQ, vos Savant has been criticised by some experts in the field of intelligence testing for her belief in paranormal phenomena and her support for controversial scientific theories. Nonetheless, she remains a respected figure in the world of intelligence testing and a source of inspiration for many people who aspire to achieve great things through their intellect.
What is the Highest IQ Ever Recorded?
The highest IQ ever recorded belongs to Marilyn vos Savant, an American author, columnist, and public speaker. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, her IQ score is 228, which is believed to be the highest ever recorded. IQ, or intelligence quotient, is a measure of a person's cognitive abilities relative to others in their age group. IQ tests typically evaluate a person's abilities in areas such as logical reasoning, spatial visualisation, and abstract thinking. There is some controversy surrounding the use of IQ tests to measure intelligence, as some argue that they may not accurately reflect a person's true intelligence or potential. Nonetheless, IQ tests remain widely used in education and employment settings as a way to assess cognitive abilities and potential.
Over the years, there have been many individuals who have been reported to have exceptionally high IQ scores, but the validity of some of these claims has been called into question. Marilyn vos Savant's record, however, has been verified by multiple sources and is widely accepted as the highest IQ score ever recorded. It's worth noting, however, that having a high IQ does not necessarily guarantee success in life. While intelligence is certainly an important factor in achieving success, it is just one of many factors that can contribute to a person's achievements and overall well-being.
Who has the Highest IQ in the World - FAQs
William James Sidis is believed to be the person with the highest IQ in history, with an estimated IQ range between 250 and 300. He was a child prodigy born in 1898 in New York City who learned to read at the age of two and spoke several languages fluently by the age of five. He attended Harvard University at the age of 11 and graduated cum laude at the age of 16. He was an accomplished writer, mathematician, and historian, but his life was marked by controversy and misunderstanding.
Terence Tao is a contemporary mathematician with an IQ estimated to be between 225 and 230. He was born in Adelaide, Australia, in 1975 and demonstrated exceptional mathematical talent from an early age. He earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University at the age of 21 and has since become a leading expert in a wide range of mathematical fields. He has won numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to mathematics, including the Fields Medal in 2006, which is considered the highest honor in the field.
Marilyn vos Savant is a columnist, author, and public figure with an IQ estimated to be 228. She gained national attention in 1985 when she was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as having the highest recorded IQ. She is known for her advocacy of rational thinking and critical reasoning skills, and she has been a vocal critic of pseudoscience and superstition.
Christopher Hirata is an American astrophysicist with an IQ of 225. He gained international recognition at the age of 13 when he became the youngest gold medalist at the International Physics Olympiad. He was invited to work for NASA, where he assisted in the development of a mission to study dark energy. Hirata received his Ph.D. from Princeton University at the age of 22 and later joined the faculty of the California Institute of Technology. He has received numerous awards and honors for his groundbreaking work in astrophysics, including the MacArthur Fellowship in 2012
Kim Ung-Yong is a South Korean former child prodigy who is considered one of the smartest people in the world, with an IQ of 210. He was recognized by Guinness World Records as having the highest IQ in the world in 1990, at the age of 8. He was invited to work for NASA at the age of 15 and later earned a Ph.D. in civil engineering from Colorado State University. Kim has worked as a professor at Chungbuk National University in South Korea and has published numerous research papers in his field of expertise.