There's no single "smartest person ever" as intelligence is multifaceted, but contenders often include historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Isaac Newton, and Albert Einstein for genius across fields, alongside prodigies like William James Sidis, who had an estimated IQ of 250-300, and record-holder Marilyn vos Savant (IQ 228). Sidis, a child prodigy speaking multiple languages by age 6, and vos Savant, with the highest recorded IQ in Guinness, highlight different forms of exceptional intellect, though measuring across eras is difficult.
The highest IQ ever recorded in verified sources is attributed to Marilyn vos Savant, with an IQ score of 228 as per the Guinness World Records. Other historic high IQs include Terence Tao (225–230) and Christopher Hirata (225).
But what you may not know is that he had an estimated IQ of 210. Over the course of his lifetime, he completed 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two narrative poems and a variety of other poems—several of which contain everyday phrases still in use today.
Elon Musk's IQ is unknown as he hasn't publicly taken a standardized test, but estimates vary wildly, from 100-110 (according to biographer Seth Abramson, who questions his intellectual depth) to over 130 (based on his high SAT scores), with popular internet claims reaching 155+, though these are often speculative and not scientifically based on career alone, highlighting a debate between his impressive achievements and assessments of his intellectual capacity.
Top 10 Most Intelligent People On Earth
Stephen Hawking never officially revealed his IQ, and often dismissed the metric, famously saying, "People who boast about their IQ are losers". While estimates place his IQ around 160, a genius level, this is speculative; Hawking emphasized that creativity, persistence, and passion for science were more important than a single score, despite his profound impact on physics.
J. Robert Oppenheimer's IQ is unknown because he never took an official test, but estimates place him in the 130s-140s, suggesting very high intelligence, though some debate if IQ fully captures his genius, considering his vast knowledge in languages, literature, and physics, Britannica. While one source suggests 135 (99th percentile), others emphasize his polymath skills and leadership, noting IQ tests don't cover creativity, which was crucial to his success, IMDb.
Matt Damon
The Hollywood heavyweight, who boasts an IQ of 160, famously completed the project with his longtime friend Ben Affleck.
Lady Gaga's IQ is widely rumored to be around 166, placing her in the "exceptionally gifted" or genius category, though this is an estimation often cited in celebrity lists, not a officially verified number from a public test. This high estimate is supported by her early academic achievements, like attending a summer program for the top 1% of students, and her demonstrated creative and musical genius as a composer and performer, notes Us Weekly and Brainmanager.io.
Although IQ can change for an individual, across a population it is well established that IQ is stable across the lifespan. This does NOT mean that our abilities do not change as we age. IQ (as the name indicates) is a QUOTIENT, i.e., your score is calculated relative to persons of your age.
The Highest and Lowest Ranking Professions by IQ
As we might expect, cognitively demanding professions (such as physicist, lawyer, and financial manager) occupy the top spots, whereas manual and service-oriented roles cluster at the bottom.
Celebrity Genius 5 - James Woods
Emmy Award winner James Woods is an Oscar-nominee and superstar has a whopping IQ of 180. While in high school, Woods was in a UCLA linear algebra course.
Is Kim Kardashian's IQ really 190? No—it's a baseless rumor from unreliable sites. No verified score exists; estimates range 95–119 based on her education & career, but her actual IQ remains unknown.
Snoop Dogg has publicly stated he has an IQ of 147, a score that falls into the "highly gifted" or "genius" category, much to his own surprise given his self-described average school performance (straight Cs). While this self-reported score suggests exceptional intellect, IQ tests measure specific cognitive abilities, and success in life and business (like Snoop Dogg's multifaceted career as a rapper, entrepreneur, and media personality) reflects a broader range of intelligence and skills.
Bean has one of the highest IQs in the world — 178! 🧠🎭 Rowan Atkinson carved his name into history as one of the most iconic comedians on the planet.
Leonardo da Vinci
He was a master of painting, sculpture, architecture, engineering, and science. His IQ is estimated to have been between 180 and 220, which would have placed him among the most intelligent people in history.
Clearly, he was an intelligent man. But estimates have suggested that he may have had an IQ of 170, according to Geni.
Studies have shown that intelligence has a genetic component, but they have not conclusively identified any single genes that have major roles in differences in intelligence. It is likely that intelligence involves many genes that each make only a small contribution to a person's intelligence.
Stephen Hawking's "last words" aren't a single phrase but a collection of final messages from his speeches and posthumously published book, emphasizing bravery, hope, curiosity, and the scientific explanation of the universe over divine intervention, with parting advice to "look up at the stars and not down at your feet" and to "be brave, be determined". His final book, Brief Answers to the Big Questions, published after his death in 2018, summarized his lifelong views, stating there is no God and that the laws of nature explain existence, a conclusion stemming from his belief that science provides answers where religion often invoked a creator.
A British scientist who is most famous for his contributions to biology, Charles Darwin laid the foundations of the theory of evolution and had an IQ of 165.
Is Being a Genius Inherited?/Heritability of IQ. According to studies, genetics can drive anywhere between 30-75% of the variations in people's IQ levels. However, certain environmental factors and socioeconomic status can prevent a person from achieving their true genetic potential of IQ levels.
🧠 New research shows the smartest age in life is 55 to 60 – not in your 20s. While youth is often seen as the peak of brainpower, science now suggests the smartest age in life may actually be between 55 and 60.
10 Careers That Require the Highest IQ