Top 20 Most Famous People in the World 2023

In a world of around 8 billion people, only a handful have truly left an indelible mark on the global stage, capturing hearts and minds across various fields like business, entertainment, and philanthropy. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 20 most famous individuals in 2023.

The list isn’t ranked in any particular order, but each person on it has achieved widespread recognition not just within their respective domains, but on a worldwide scale. Let’s dive in.

1. Elon Musk

Elon Musk, born on June 28, 1971, is a prominent business magnate and investor. He serves as the founder, CEO, and chief technology officer of SpaceX, CEO and former chairman of Tesla, Inc., as well as owner and CTO of X Corp. He’s the mind behind the Boring Company, co-founder of Neuralink and OpenAI, and president of the Musk Foundation.

Holding the title of the world’s wealthiest individual, his net worth is estimated at around $217 billion according to Bloomberg and $219 billion by Forbes as of August 2023, majorly due to his ownership in Tesla and SpaceX. Born in South Africa, Musk moved to Canada and later to the United States.

He co-founded various companies, including PayPal, SolarCity, and X Corp. Despite his achievements, Musk has faced controversy due to his statements, social media use, and legal matters, including a settlement with the SEC in 2018.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, born on February 5, 1985, is a Portuguese football icon known for his exceptional skills as a forward. He currently captains both Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and the Portugal national team.

Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, with numerous accolades including five Ballon d’Or awards, multiple UEFA Best Player in Europe titles, and four European Golden Shoes. He holds records for goals, appearances, and assists in the UEFA Champions League, as well as international goals and appearances.

Ronaldo’s career journey spans from Sporting CP to Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and back to Manchester United, with a brief stop at Al Nassr. He has achieved remarkable success both in club and international competitions, leading Portugal to Euro 2016 and UEFA Nations League victories. Off the field, Ronaldo is renowned for his marketability, high earnings, and global influence.

3. Lionel Messi

Lionel Andrés Messi, commonly known as Leo Messi, is an Argentine professional footballer born on June 24, 1987. He is widely celebrated as one of the greatest football players ever.

Messi has secured a record seven Ballon d’Or awards and six European Golden Shoes. He captained Barcelona for most of his career, claiming 34 trophies including ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and four UEFA Champions League victories. Notably, he won the Copa América with Argentina in 2021 and led them to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Messi is renowned for his prolific scoring and creative playmaking, holding various records including the most goals in La Liga, the Champions League, and for a single club. He moved from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and then to Inter Miami in 2023.

Messi’s achievements extend beyond the field; he has been recognized for his influence and earnings, making history as the first team-sport athlete to surpass $1 billion in career earnings. He has consistently ranked as a highly influential figure globally.

4. Mark Zuckerberg

Mark Zuckerberg is an American billionaire, programmer, internet entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He co-founded Facebook and its parent company, Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook, Inc.), where he serves as executive chairman, CEO, and controlling shareholder.

He started Facebook while studying at Harvard in 2004, initially for college campuses but it grew rapidly to reach one billion users by 2012. He made Facebook public in 2012, becoming the world’s youngest self-made billionaire at 23. Zuckerberg’s philanthropic efforts include the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Named one of Time’s Persons of the Year in 2010, he’s been listed as highly influential multiple times. He faced legal challenges and testified before the US Senate about user data privacy. As of 2023, Forbes estimates his net worth at $115 billion.

5. Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Douglas Johnson, born May 2, 1972, known as “The Rock,” is a multifaceted American figure celebrated for his accomplishments in wrestling, acting, and entertainment. A revered professional wrestler, he played a pivotal role in the success of WWF during the Attitude Era. After an eight-year wrestling career, he transitioned to acting, amassing over $10.5 billion in global box office earnings.

Johnson’s filmography boasts diverse roles, from action movies like “Fast & Furious” to family-oriented films like “Jumanji” and “Moana.” He’s also a producer, co-founding Seven Bucks Productions, and starred in TV series like “Ballers” and “Young Rock.”

He’s an author, releasing a bestselling autobiography, and a co-owner of the XFL. Time recognized him as an influential individual in 2016 and 2019.

6. Bill Gates

William Henry Gates III, born on October 28, 1955, is a prominent American billionaire known for co-founding Microsoft with Paul Allen. A key figure in the microcomputer revolution, Gates held diverse roles at Microsoft, including chairman, CEO, and chief software architect.

Despite facing anti-competitive criticisms, he helped shape the tech industry. In 2000, Gates shifted focus to philanthropy, establishing the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. After leaving Microsoft’s daily operations in 2008, he remained active in various ventures, founding companies like BEN, Cascade Investment, and TerraPower.

A prolific philanthropist, he facilitated vaccination campaigns and funded scientific research, notably aiding in eradicating wild poliovirus in Africa. Gates, a Forbes-listed billionaire since 1987, has held the title of the world’s richest person multiple times.

As of August 2023, he’s the fifth-wealthiest globally, with a net worth of around $126 billion, and he remains committed to his philanthropic efforts, exemplified by co-founding The Giving Pledge with Warren Buffett in 2010.

7. Jeff Bezos

Jeffrey Bezos, born January 12, 1964, is an American business magnate, media proprietor, and investor. He’s the founder, executive chairman, and former president/CEO of Amazon, the world’s largest e-commerce and cloud computing company.

With a net worth of $160 billion as of August 2023, he’s the third-wealthiest globally, previously topping lists from 2017 to 2021. Bezos graduated from Princeton in 1986 with an electrical engineering and computer science degree, then worked on Wall Street until 1994. He founded Amazon that year as an online bookstore, expanding it into various e-commerce, cloud computing, and AI services.

He also launched Blue Origin, a spaceflight services company, in 2000, flying into space himself in 2021. Bezos owns The Washington Post, manages investments via Bezos Expeditions, and co-founded Altos Labs in 2021. He’s been a historic centibillionaire and a driving force behind Amazon’s growth and diversification.

8. Taylor Swift

Taylor Alison Swift, born on December 13, 1989, is a highly influential American singer-songwriter known for her diverse musical talents, artistic evolution, and immense impact on the music industry. Beginning her professional songwriting at 14, she signed with Big Machine Records in 2005, initially establishing herself as a country singer with six studio albums.

Swift’s transition into different genres was marked by albums like “Fearless” (2008) with country pop hits “Love Story” and “You Belong with Me,” and “1989” (2014), a synth-pop sensation featuring chart-toppers “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space.” Her subsequent works, including “Reputation” (2017) and indie folk albums “Folklore” and “Evermore” (2020), showcased her remarkable versatility. Swift’s career includes numerous achievements like Grammy Awards, record-breaking album sales, and iconic music videos.

Beyond music, she’s an advocate for artist rights and women’s empowerment. With a legacy cemented through various accolades, Swift remains a cultural icon of the 21st century.

9. Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez, born on July 22, 1992, is a multi-talented American figure excelling as a singer, actress, producer, and businesswoman. She gained initial recognition from the children’s TV show “Barney & Friends” and rose to fame with her role in Disney’s “Wizards of Waverly Place.” Her acting career expanded with movies like “Spring Breakers” and voicing Mavis in the “Hotel Transylvania” series.

Gomez led the band Selena Gomez & the Scene, releasing three albums that achieved gold status. Her solo journey saw the release of hit albums like “Stars Dance,” “Revival,” and “Rare,” earning her chart-topping singles. As a producer, she oversaw series like “13 Reasons Why,” “Selena + Chef,” and “Only Murders in the Building,” receiving acclaim and award nominations.

Beyond entertainment, Gomez is recognized for her philanthropy, ambassadorship for UNICEF, Guinness World Records, and influential presence on social media platforms.

10. Beyoncé

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter, born September 4, 1981, is an iconic American singer, songwriter, and businesswoman, often referred to as “Queen Bey.” Renowned for her groundbreaking artistry and vocal prowess, she’s a dominant figure in 21st-century pop culture. Rising to prominence in the late 1990s as part of Destiny’s Child, a best-selling girl group,

Beyoncé’s solo career skyrocketed with albums like “Dangerously in Love” (2003), “B’Day” (2006), and “Lemonade” (2016), which explored societal themes. Notably, she’s the first artist to debut her first seven studio albums at number one in the US. With over 200 million records sold globally, she holds numerous accolades, including 32 Grammy Awards, 26 MTV Video Music Awards, and more.

Her impact stretches beyond music into acting, with roles in various films. Recognized as a top artist, influencer, and cultural force, Beyoncé’s trailblazing spirit has solidified her as a legendary entertainer.

11. Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett, born in 1930, is an influential American business tycoon, investor, and philanthropist. He currently serves as the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, renowned for his remarkable investment prowess.

With a net worth of $117 billion as of June 2023, he ranks as the world’s fifth-richest person. Raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Buffett’s interest in business and investing grew from a young age. He honed his investment philosophy at Columbia Business School, drawing inspiration from value investing pioneer Benjamin Graham.

In 1970, he acquired Berkshire Hathaway and transformed it into a diversified holding company, cementing his role as chairman and majority shareholder. Often dubbed the “Oracle of Omaha,” Buffett’s frugality and dedication to value investing have contributed to his massive wealth.

In addition, he’s a dedicated philanthropist, committed to donating 99 percent of his fortune to causes, primarily through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and co-founded The Giving Pledge to encourage billionaire philanthropy.

12. Tom Cruise

Thomas Cruise Mapother IV, born on July 3, 1962, is a renowned American actor, producer, and pilot. With a record as one of the world’s highest-paid actors, he boasts an impressive array of accomplishments, including an Honorary Palme d’Or and three Golden Globe Awards, alongside four Academy Award nominations. His films have raked in over $4 billion in North America and an astounding $11.5 billion globally, solidifying his status as a top-grossing box-office star.

Cruise’s career took off in the early 1980s, highlighted by roles in hits like Risky Business and Top Gun. He earned acclaim for dramatic performances in movies such as Rain Man and Born on the Fourth of July, earning a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination for the latter.

Cruise’s trajectory evolved toward science fiction and action, particularly in the Mission: Impossible series, where he performed daring stunts himself. His personal life includes marriages to Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman, and Katie Holmes, with three children. An advocate for the Church of Scientology, Cruise’s outspoken nature has sparked controversies over the years.

13. Barack Obama

Barack Obama, born on August 4, 1961, is an American politician and the 44th President of the United States, serving from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he made history as the first African-American president.

He began his career as a civil rights lawyer and university lecturer, after graduating from Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he became the first black president of the Harvard Law Review. Prior to his presidency, Obama represented Illinois in the U.S. Senate and the Illinois State Senate.

His presidency was marked by actions to address the financial crisis, health care reform, climate change initiatives, and global relations, including the Iran nuclear deal and Cuba normalization. He left office in January 2017 and maintains a presence in politics, while also being a successful author. Obama’s legacy is noted for economic growth, international improvements, and advancements in civil rights.

14. Shakira

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, known as Shakira, is a Colombian singer-songwriter born in 1977. She gained fame as the “Queen of Latin Music” with her versatile musical style. She signed with Sony Music Colombia at age 13 and rose to prominence with albums like “Pies Descalzos” and “Dónde Están los Ladrones?” Her album “Laundry Service” marked her entry into the English-language market, featuring hit singles “Whenever, Wherever” and “Underneath Your Clothes.”

Her success continued with Spanish albums like “Fijación Oral, Vol. 1,” “Sale el Sol,” and “El Dorado.” Her catalog includes chart-toppers like “La Tortura,” “Hips Don’t Lie,” and “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).” Shakira has sold over 95 million records, making her one of the best-selling artists globally. She has won multiple awards, including Grammys, Latin Grammys, and Billboard Music Awards.

She’s recognized for philanthropy through her Barefoot Foundation and received the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honor. Her influence on Latin music’s international reach is profound, making her a trailblazer for fellow artists.

15. Johnny Depp

John Christopher Depp II, born on June 9, 1963, is an accomplished American actor and musician. He boasts numerous awards, including a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award, and has been thrice nominated for Academy Awards and twice for BAFTA awards.

Depp’s career commenced with a role in the horror flick “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984) and blossomed when he became a teenage heartthrob on “21 Jump Street” (1987–1990). The 1990s saw him collaborate with prominent directors, often portraying unconventional characters. He fostered a lasting partnership with Tim Burton in films such as “Edward Scissorhands” (1990) and “Sleepy Hollow” (1999). The 2000s marked his blockbuster success as Captain Jack Sparrow in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series.

Beyond acting, Depp ventured into film production, received acclaim for roles in movies like “Black Mass” (2015), and formed the band Hollywood Vampires. His personal life, notably his relationships with Vanessa Paradis and Amber Heard, attracted significant media attention.

16. Rihanna

Robyn Rihanna Fenty, born on February 20, 1988, is a Barbadian singer, songwriter, businesswoman, and actress who has risen to become one of the most prominent figures in 21st-century music.

After signing with Def Jam in 2005, she gained fame with her initial albums, “Music of the Sun” (2005) and “A Girl Like Me” (2006), incorporating Caribbean influences. “Good Girl Gone Bad” (2007) marked a shift to dance-pop and solidified her as an industry icon.

The hit “Umbrella” earned her a Grammy and international acclaim. Rihanna’s subsequent albums, including “Rated R” (2009), “Loud” (2010), and “Anti” (2016), showcased her genre-blending prowess. She holds numerous records, like being the second best-selling female artist and the highest-certified female artist by the RIAA.

Beyond music, Rihanna is renowned for humanitarian work, founding the Clara Lionel Foundation, as well as her entrepreneurship with Fenty Beauty and Fenty fashion. She’s made strides in acting, appearing in notable films. Barbados recognized her contributions, appointing her an ambassador and declaring her a National Hero in 2021. As of 2023, she’s the wealthiest female musician with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion.

17. Donald Trump

Donald John Trump, born in 1946, is a notable American figure who served as the 45th U.S. President from 2017 to 2021. He began as a real estate businessman after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968. Under the banner of the Trump Organization, he expanded into various sectors, including real estate, entertainment, and branding.

Trump gained further recognition through hosting “The Apprentice” and entered politics as the Republican nominee, winning the 2016 presidential election despite losing the popular vote. His presidency was marked by controversial policies, including travel bans, border wall funding, environmental deregulation, and tax cuts. He faced two impeachments, one related to Ukraine and the other for incitement of insurrection following the Capitol attack in 2021.

Trump’s tenure was characterized by divisive rhetoric, conspiracy promotion, and unconventional approaches. Despite historical criticism, he maintains a significant role in the Republican Party and announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election while facing multiple felony indictments.

18. Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber, born on March 1, 1994, is a Canadian singer renowned for his versatile music and global impact on contemporary pop music. Discovered by Scooter Braun and signed by RBMG Records in 2008, Bieber gained fame with his debut EP “My World” in 2009, quickly becoming a teen idol.

His first studio album “My World 2.0” (2010) topped the US Billboard 200, making him the youngest solo male to achieve this in nearly 50 years. Notable for hits like “Baby,” he continued to dominate charts. Despite controversies from 2013–14, he bounced back with EDM hit “Where Are Ü Now” and his album “Purpose” (2015), delivering three US number-one singles.

He broke records with “Despacito” and won a Latin Grammy. His albums “Changes” (2020) and “Justice” (2021) reinforced his status as a chart-topper. Bieber holds numerous awards, including Grammys, Junos, Billboard Music Awards, and Guinness World Records. Named among Time’s most influential and Forbes’ most powerful, Bieber remains a music industry heavyweight, with over 150 million records sold worldwide.

19. Robert Downey Jr.

Robert John Downey Jr., born on April 4, 1965, is a renowned American actor. His career path includes an early period of success, followed by struggles with substance abuse and legal issues, before making a triumphant comeback. In 2008, Time magazine recognized him as one of the world’s 100 most influential people, and from 2013 to 2015, Forbes listed him as Hollywood’s highest-paid actor.

Downey’s acting journey began at age five in his father’s film “Pound” (1970), later joining the Brat Pack in films like “Weird Science” (1985) and “Less than Zero” (1987). Notably, he portrayed Charlie Chaplin in the biopic “Chaplin” (1992), earning an Academy Award nomination and a BAFTA Award.

Following legal troubles, he found success in TV’s “Ally McBeal,” winning a Golden Globe. Downey’s sobriety since 2003 marked a turning point, supported by Mel Gibson for the film “The Singing Detective” (2003). His filmography includes hits like “Iron Man” (2008), igniting his Marvel Cinematic Universe journey, and “Sherlock Holmes” (2009), securing a Golden Globe. Beyond blockbuster roles, he tackled dramatic parts in “The Judge” (2014) and “Oppenheimer” (2023).

20. Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio, born November 11, 1974, is an accomplished American actor and film producer. Renowned for his roles in biographical and period films, he boasts an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. His films have amassed over $7.2 billion globally as of 2019, and he’s consistently ranked among the highest-paid actors.

Beginning with TV commercials in the late 1980s, DiCaprio’s breakthrough came in the 1990s with roles in shows like “Parenthood” and his first major film, “This Boy’s Life.” His acclaim escalated with performances in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “Romeo + Juliet,” and the iconic “Titanic.” He diversified his roles with crime dramas like “Catch Me If You Can” and “Gangs of New York,” often collaborating with director Martin Scorsese.

His career continued to flourish with projects like “The Aviator,” “Blood Diamond,” and “The Departed.” Notably, he won an Oscar for “The Revenant.” DiCaprio’s involvement extends beyond acting; he founded Appian Way Productions and the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, promoting environmental awareness. He’s a United Nations Messenger of Peace, supports charitable causes, and has been recognized as an influential figure by Time magazine.