32 most famous people in the world as of 2024: Who are they?

Fame is difficult to measure, but one may develop useful metrics to quantify someone's fame. For instance, you can check their social media following, internet search results, and media presence, such as the number of news articles about that person. Since it is challenging to point out the most famous person in the world today, this article lists people who arguably hold a substantial level of fame worldwide and their net worth.

It is challenging to confidently point out the most famous person worldwide because people gain popularity from different fields. Most celebrities are musicians, actors, sportspeople, business magnates, and IT innovators. Since some of these sectors attract more people than others, a celebrity in one field may not be well-known to people interested in another industry. In other cases, the public will be drawn to multiple sectors and know celebrities from all.

Most famous person in the world: top 32 list

Some globally famous people are multi-talented. For instance, you will find a singer who runs a successful business. The more someone diversifies their career, the more they become famous. Nonetheless, this does not imply that celebrities who stick to one field cannot become more famous than those who have diversified their career portfolios. Such factors make it difficult to quantify exactly how famous someone is. For these reasons, this article lists some of the most famous people in the world based on their net worth (in descending order).

32. Joe Biden

• Full name: Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.
• Date of birth: 20th November 1942
• Age: 81 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA
• Occupation: Politician
• Net worth: $10 million

Joe Biden has been the sitting president of the US since 2021. Before winning the presidential elections in 2020, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 under President Barack Obama. Additionally, the politician represented Delaware for 36 years in the US Senate from 1973 to 2009. Joe Biden's net worth is $10 million, and he has over 19 people following his IG account.

31. Virat Kohli

• Full name: Virat Kohli
• Date of birth: 5th November 1988
• Age: 35 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: New Delhi, India
• Occupation: Cricketer
• Net worth: $26 million

Virat Kohli is a right-handed batsman who plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and for Delhi in Indian domestic cricket. The cricketer is the former captain of the Indian national cricket team. Virat Kohli's net worth is $26 million, and he has over 265 million IG followers.

30. Kendall Jenner

• Full name: Kendall Nicole Jenner
• Date of birth: 3rd November 1995
• Age: 28 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, USA
• Occupation: Model, media personality, socialite, and businesswoman
• Net worth: $60 million

Kendall Jenner is best known for her role in Keeping Up with the Kardashians alongside her family. She is also one of the highest-paid models in the world. Kendall Jenner's net worth is $60 million, and she has 294 million Instagram followers.

29. Khloé Kardashian

• Full name: Khloé Alexandra Kardashian
• Date of birth: 27th June 1984
• Age: 39 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, USA
• Occupation: Media personality, socialite, and model
• Net worth: $60 million

Khloé Kardashian first jumped into the public eye after appearing on Keeping Up with the Kardashians. She has parlayed her reality career into business, radio gigs, and modeling. Khloé Kardashian's net worth is $60 million, and she has 311 million IG followers.

28. Robert Pattinson

• Full name: Robert Douglas Thomas Pattinson
• Date of birth: 13th May 1986
• Age: 37 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: London, United Kingdom
• Occupation: Actor
• Net worth: $100 million

Robert Pattinson is ranked among the world's highest-paid actors. The actor is famous for appearing in the Twilight franchise of movies with Kristen Stewart and playing Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter franchise. Robert Pattinson's net worth is $100 million.

27. Hugh Jackman

• Full name: Hugh Michael Jackman AC
• Date of birth: 12th October 1968
• Age: 55 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Sydney, Australia
• Occupation: Actor
• Net worth: $100 million

Hugh Jackman was catapulted into the spotlight after portraying Wolverine in the X-Men franchise (2000 – 2017). The role earned him the Guinness World Record for the longest career as a live-action Marvel character until Patrick Stewart surpassed his record in May 2022.

At the peak of the franchise, the actor would earn $20 million per movie. Today, Hugh Jackman's net worth is $100 million, and he has over 3 million IG followers.

26. Nicki Minaj

• Full name: Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty
• Date of birth: 8th December 1982
• Age: 41 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Saint James, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
• Occupation: Rapper, singer, and songwriter
• Net worth: $150 million

Nicki Minaj's meteoric rise to fame was fueled by three immensely popular mixtapes she put out between 2007 and 2009. In 2010, she released her debut album, Pink Friday. Today, Nicki Minaj's net worth is $150 million, and she has 229 million followers on IG.

25. Johnny Depp

• Full name: John Christopher Depp II
• Date of birth: 9th June 1963
• Age: 60 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Owensboro, Kentucky, USA
• Occupation: Actor and musician
• Net worth: $150 million

Johnny Depp first captured the public's attention as part of the cast of 21 Jump Street in the late 80s. Since launching his career, he has performed in many famous films, including his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Johnny Depp's net worth is $150 million, and over 28 million people follow his Instagram account.

24. Miley Cyrus

• Full name: Miley Ray Cyrus
• Date of birth: 23rd November 1992
• Age: 31 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Franklin, Tennessee, USA
• Occupation: Singer, songwriter, and actress
• Net worth: $160 million

Miley Cyrus came into the limelight as a child actor and singer. Over the years, she has become a global star with music that has spanned a range of styles, including pop, country pop, and hip hop. Miley Cyrus' net worth is $160 million, and she has 216 million followers on IG.

23. Ariana Grande

• Full name: Ariana Grande-Butera
• Date of birth: 26th June 1993
• Age: 30 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Boca Raton, Florida, USA
• Occupation: Singer, songwriter, and actress
• Net worth: $240 million

Ariana won the hearts of numerous people globally as a Nickelodeon child actor. She is among the highest-paid celebrities, making between $20 million and $30 million annually. Ariana Grande's net worth is $240 million, and she has 380 million followers on Instagram.

22. Justin Bieber

• Full name: Justin Drew Bieber
• Date of birth: 1st March 1994
• Age: 29 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: St. Joseph's Hospital, London, Canada
• Occupation: Singer
• Net worth: $300 million

Justin Bieber started his singing career as a teen and has sold over 150 million records worldwide. Besides music, he owns the Drew House brand, which he was launched in 2018. Justin Bieber's net worth is $300 million, and he has over 292 million Instagram followers.

21. Robert Downey Jr.

• Full name: Robert John Downey Jr.
• Date of birth: 4th April 1965
• Age: 58 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Manhattan, New York, USA
• Occupation: Actor and producer
• Net worth: $300 million

Acting as Iron Man in the Marvel franchise made Robert one of the highest-paid actors in the history of Hollywood. Robert Downey Jr.'s net worth is $300 million. He overcame substance abuse addiction and reinvented his career. Today, Robert has over 57 million people following his Instagram page.

20. Will Smith

• Full name: Willard Carroll Smith II
• Date of birth: 25th September 1968
• Age: 55 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
• Occupation: Actor, rapper, and producer
• Net worth: $350 million

Will made headlines for slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards. The actor has been in the limelight for decades. One of his best works was The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, a show he starred in and produced. Will Smith's net worth is $350 million, and he has over 64 million IG followers.

19. Jennifer Lopez

• Full name: Jennifer Lynn Affleck
• Date of birth: 24th July 1969
• Age: 54 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: The Bronx, New York, USA
• Occupation: Actress, dancer, and singer
• Net worth: $400 million

In 1991, Jennifer Lopez began appearing as a Fly Girl dancer on In Living Color, where she remained a regular until she decided to pursue an acting career in 1993. Her career has spanned more than 25 years, and today, she is one of Hollywood's biggest A-list celebrities. Jennifer Lopez's net worth is $400 million, and she has 253 million Instagram followers.

18. Ellen DeGeneres

• Full name: Ellen Lee DeGeneres
• Date of birth: 26th January 1958
• Age: 66 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Metairie, Louisiana, USA
• Occupation: Comedian, television host, actress, and writer
• Net worth: $500 million

Ellen DeGeneres gained fame in 1982 when her club video performances won Showtime TV's Funniest Person In America award. She also earned a Primetime Emmy Award for starring in the Ellen sitcom from 1994 to 1998. Ellen DeGeneres' net worth is $500 million. Her talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, has entertained millions worldwide. The television host has 139 million followers on Instagram.

17. Cristiano Ronaldo

• Full name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
• Date of birth: 5th February 1985
• Age: 38 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça, Funchal, Portugal
• Occupation: Footballer
• Net worth: $600

Cristiano is a forward for Al Nassr (a Saudi Pro League club) and the Portugal national team. He is one of the greatest footballers of all time and arguably the most known sports person in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo's net worth is $600 million, and he is among the most followed people on social media, with 617 million followers on his Instagram account.

16. Lionel Messi

• Full name: Lionel Andrés Messi
• Date of birth: 24th June 1987
• Age: 36 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Rosario, Argentina
• Occupation: Footballer
• Net worth: $650 million

Lionel Messi is a famous person in the world. He plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club PSG and captains the Argentina national team. Many people consider him the best soccer player in the world. Lionel Messi's net worth is $650 million, and he is among the most followed individuals on Instagram, with 497 million followers on his page.

15. Kylie Jenner

• Full name: Kylie Kristen Jenner
• Date of birth: 10th August 1997
• Age: 26 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, USA
• Occupation: Media personality, socialite, model, and entrepreneur
• Net worth: $680 million

Kylie is the youngest sister in the Kardashian family. She is a reality television star and cosmetics entrepreneur who grew up in the limelight as a Keeping Up With the Kardashians cast member. Kylie Jenner's net worth is $680 million, and she has 399 million Instagram followers.

14. Selena Gomez

• Full name: Selena Marie Gomez
• Date of birth: 22nd July 1992
• Age: 31 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Grand Prairie, Texas, USA
• Occupation: Singer, actress, businesswoman, and producer
• Net worth: $800 million

Selena Gomez is one of the most celebrities in the world. She started acting at seven on Barney & Friends. The actress also sings and has released three albums. Selena Gomez's net worth is $800 million. She is one of the world's most followed individuals on Instagram. Her page has 429 million followers.

13. Dwayne Johnson

• Full name: Dwayne Douglas Johnson
• Date of birth: 2nd May 1972
• Age: 51 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Hayward, California, USA
• Occupation: Actor, businessman, and former wrestler
• Net worth: $800 million

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is the world's most famous actor. He gained mainstream fame as a WWE wrestler from 1996 to 2004. Since then, the star has numerous acting credits, including Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, The Fate of the Furious, Moana, and Furious 7. Dwayne Johnson's net worth is $800 million, and he is among the most-followed celebrities on Instagram, with 395 million followers on his page.

12. Beyoncé

• Full name: Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter
• Date of birth: 4th September 1981
• Age: 42 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Houston, Texas, USA
• Occupation: Singer, songwriter, and businesswoman
• Net worth: $800 million

Beyoncé's net worth is $800 million, most of which is from her roughly three decades as a solo performer and a member of the Destiny's Child girl group. Her Instagram page has 319 million followers.

11. LeBron James

• Full name: LeBron Raymone James Sr.
• Date of birth: 30th December 1984
• Age: 39 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Akron, Ohio, USA
• Occupation: Basketball player and film producer
• Net worth: $1 billion

LeBron James achieved billionaire status in 2022, with a net worth of $1 billion. The basketball player played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers. He is arguably the greatest NBA player of all time and is recorded as one of the few selected to 16 All-Star games in NBA history. LeBron joined the NBA in 2004 and now has 159 million IG followers.

10. Tiger Woods

• Full name: Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods
• Date of birth: 30th December 1975
• Age: 48 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Cypress, California, USA
• Occupation: Golfer
• Net worth: $1.1 billion

Tiger Woods attained billionaire status in 2022 when he made over $1.7 billion in salary, endorsements, and other income sources. Woods has participated in and won many golf competitions. He initially gained fame after becoming the youngest Masters champ at only 21. Tiger Woods' net worth is $1.1 billion. The golfer has earned roughly $1.8 billion during his career and has 3.3 million IG followers.

9. Taylor Swift

• Full name: Taylor Alison Swift
• Date of birth: 13th December 1989
• Age: 34 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: West Reading, Pennsylvania, USA
• Occupation: Singer-songwriter and entrepreneur
• Net worth: $1.1 billion

Taylor Swift is one of the most famous celebrities. Her artistry and entrepreneurship have influenced the music industry and popular culture, and her life is a subject of widespread media coverage. Taylor Swift's net worth is roughly $1.1 billion. Her billionaire status was mainly achieved by music. The singer has 279 million Instagram followers.

8. Rihanna

• Full name: Robyn Rihanna Fenty
• Date of birth: 20th February 1988
• Age: 35 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Saint Michael, Barbados
• Occupation: Singer, actress, and fashion designer
• Net worth: $1.4 billion

Rihanna is among the most prominent singers of the 21st century. Rihanna's net worth is $1.4 billion. The bulk of her fortune comes from the Fenty Beauty cosmetics line. The Barbadian singer owns 50% stakes in the company. Her Instagram page has 152 million followers.

7. Kim Kardashian

• Full name: Kimberly Noel Kardashian
• Date of birth: 21st October 1980
• Age: 43 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, USA
• Occupation: Socialite, media personality, and entrepreneur
• Net worth: $1.7 billion

Kim became famous after her adult tape, which she filmed with ex-boyfriend Ray J in 2003, was leaked in 2007. She took advantage of the fame to build her brand. Kim Kardashian's net worth is about $1.7 billion. As an entrepreneur, she runs multiple businesses, including Skims and Skkn by Kim. The media personality has over 364 million Instagram followers.

6. Donald Trump

• Full name: Donald John Trump
• Date of birth: 14th June 1946
• Age: 77 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, New York, USA
• Occupation: Politician, media personality, and businessman
• Net worth: $2.5 billion

Donald Trump is the former president of the US. Besides politics, he is a successful businessman. Donald Trump's net worth is $2.5 billion. He took over his parents' real estate company in 1971 and renamed it the Trump Organization. The firm has invested in various industries, including golf courses and casinos. Trump has over 23 million IG followers.

5. Oprah Winfrey

• Full name: Oprah Gail Winfrey
• Date of birth: 29th January 1954
• Age: 70 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Kosciusko, Mississippi, USA
• Occupation: TV show host, producer, actress, author, and philanthropist
• Net worth: $2.8 billion

Oprah Winfrey is among the most famous women of all time, and many consider her one of the most-loved celebrities worldwide. She was the first black multi-billionaire of the 20th century. Oprah Winfrey's net worth is $2.8 billion, and over 22 million people are following her Instagram page.

4. Bill Gates

• Full name: William Henry Gates III
• Date of birth: 28th October 1955
• Age: 68 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Seattle, Washington, USA
• Occupation: Businessman, investor, philanthropist, and writer
• Net worth: $120.2 billion

Bill Gates held the record of the world's richest man for decades before billionaires like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg overtook him. Gates is the founder of Microsoft, along with his childhood friend Paul Allen. Bill Gate's net worth is $117.9 billion, and he has over 8 million followers on Instagram.

3. Mark Zuckerberg

• Full name: Mark Elliot Zuckerberg
• Date of birth: 14th May 1984
• Age: 39 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: White Plains, New York, USA
• Occupation: Media magnate, internet entrepreneur, and philanthropist
• Net worth: $132.8 billion

Zuckerberg is among the wealthiest people in the world. He is the founder of Facebook (now called Meta). The philanthropist made headlines in 2015 after promising to donate 99% of his Facebook shares to charity. At that time, his shares were worth more than $45 billion. Mark Zuckerberg's net worth is $132.8 billion, and he has over 12 million followers on Instagram.

2. Jeff Bezos

• Full name: Jeffrey Preston Bezos
• Date of birth: 12th January 1964
• Age: 60 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
• Occupation: Businessman, media proprietor and investor
• Net worth: $175.7 billion

Jeff Bezos founded Amazon, the world's largest e-commerce and cloud computing company. He became famous after surpassing Bill Gates as the wealthiest person in the world from October 2017 to January 2021. American businessman Jeff Bezos' net worth is $175.7 billion, and he has over four million followers on IG.

1. Elon Musk

• Full name: Elon Reeve Musk
• Date of birth: 28th June 1971
• Age: 52 years (as of January 2024)
• Place of birth: Pretoria, South Africa
• Occupation: Business magnate and investor
• Net worth: $225.1 billion

Elon Musk has cofounded six companies, including electric car maker Tesla, rocket producer SpaceX, and tunneling startup Boring Company. On 27th October 2022, he bought platform X (Twitter) for his $44 billion (£38.1 billion). Elon Musk's net worth is $225.1 billion.

Who is the most famous person in the world right now?

The public had different views about the world's most famous person. For instance, soccer fans think Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the most famous people today. Music lovers are likely to name iconic artists like Rihanna and Beyoncé; entrepreneurs can say Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos; tech lovers might mention Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, while those who are into politics might mention Donald Trump. The answers people give depend on the fields they are interested in.

Who are the most famous celebrities in the world?

The world has many famous people. Some of the most popular ones are:

• Elon Musk
• Jeff Bezos
• Mark Zuckerberg
• Bill Gates
• Oprah Winfrey
• Donald Trump
• Kim Kardashian
• Rihanna
• Taylor Swift
• Tiger Woods
• LeBron James
• Beyoncé
• Dwayne Johnson
• Selena Gomez
• Kylie Jenner
• Lionel Messi
• Cristiano Ronaldo
• Ellen DeGeneres
• Jennifer Lopez
• Will Smith
• Robert Downey Jr.
• Justin Bieber
• Ariana Grande
• Miley Cyrus
• Johnny Depp
• Nicki Minaj
• Hugh Jackman
• Robert Pattinson
• Khloé Kardashian
• Kendall Jenner
• Virat Kohli
• Joe Biden

Who is the most famous person on Instagram?

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is the most-followed individual on Instagram, with over 617 million followers.

Which model is the most famous person in the world?

American model Kendall Jenner and her sister, Kylie Kristen Jenner, are some of the world's most famous fashion models.

Which singer is the most famous person in the world?

Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez, and Justin Bieber are among the most followed singers on Instagram.

Who is the most famous person in the world dead or alive?

Jesus Christ, a Christian religious figure, has been the most famous person worldwide for centuries. Christians believe he is the son of God and use references from the Bible to support their faith.

Who is the most famous person in the world of all time?

Jesus Christ is the most famous person of all time. Christians call him Christ because they believe he is the messiah or a savior, as prophesied in the Bible.

Who are the top 10 most famous people in the world of all time?

Some of the people who have been famous worldwide for centuries and decades are:

• Jesus Christ of the Christian religion
• Prophet Muhammad ibn Abdullah of the Islam religion
• Siddhārtha Gautama of the Buddhist religion
• American singer Elvis Presley
• American singer Michael Jackson
• German politician Adolf Hitler
• Diana, the Princess of Wales, UK,
• Nelson Mandela, a South African anti-apartheid activist
• Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian independence movement leader
• English poet William Shakespeare

Who are the top 10 most influential people?

Some of the most influential people today include Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Oprah Winfrey, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Bill Gates, and Selena Gomez.

Where do most famous people live?

While celebrities live in different parts of the world, most gravitate to the US coasts. Most have homes in Hollywood Hills, California, or New York.

What state has the most famous people?

Most celebrities in the US reside in New York and California.

Who are the most famous people in history?

Some of the most famous people in history include Michael Jackson, Bruce Lee, Albert Einstein, Elvis Presley, Tom Hanks, Beyoncé, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Morgan Freeman, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and David Garrett.

The most famous person in the world is probably someone whose career or lifestyle impresses you. It might be challenging to convince someone you don't share the same interests with that your icon is the most well-known celebrity worldwide. For instance, a music enthusiast will most likely pick a singer as the most famous person in the world, a movie fan will select a famous actor/actress, and a sports lover will choose a celebrity athlete.

Briefly.co.za listed the highest-paid South African actors and their net worth. SA is one of the countries in the African continent with some of the best technological advancements in the entertainment industry.

The government has recognized the potential of the entertainment scene. The highest-paid SA actors and actresses have made it big locally and internationally.

Source: Briefly News