Harvard University Alumni Roll has over 40,000 alumni from 200 countries. Harvard University ranks 1st in North America and in the United States. Founded in 1636 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University is one of the oldest universities in the U.S.A. In this blog, we aim to give you an insight into some of the biggest and most famous Harvard University alumni who made it big in their professional lives and made great contributions to their countries or humankind. We hope you enjoy our list of famous Harvard graduates and are inspired to start your journey to greatness, just like these notable alumni of Harvard University!
A Glimpse into Harvard University Notable Alumni
Harvard University has thousands of names we all have heard of. The university lanes are filled with distinguished personalities who brought about significant change in the world, won laurels in their fields, and made America proud. So, let's dive right in and learn a little more about these famous Harvard graduates and their achievements:
1. John F Kennedy
John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States of America in 1961 and was assassinated in the third year of his presidency. He was the youngest man elected as President in the history of American politics. He graduated in 1936-1940 with a Bachelor of Arts in the Harvard International Relations graduate program. He is among the top faces of the famous Harvard graduates list and is remembered by the world.
2. Barack Obama
Undoubtedly, Barack Obama is one of the most notable alumni of Harvard University. He graduated from 1988-1991 with a Juris Doctor in Law. He served as the 44th president of the United States of America with tenure from 2009 to 2017. As the first African-American President of the U.S., it was a revolutionary moment for the Black race on American soil. His fervid statesmanship tackled the Great Recession (2008-2009) giant during his presidency (2009-2017). He was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 for "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between people", making him the fourth U.S. President to have received it. He was also the first black President of the Harvard Law Review. This Harvard alumnus left his presidential office in 2021, and since exiting the presidency, he has remained active in democratic politics.
3. William Henry Gates
Best known as the C.E.O. of Microsoft, Bill Gates is one of the famous Harvard graduates. He first studied from 1973 to 1975 as a pre-law student and then stuffed it with mathematics and graduate-level computer science. He is also the President and the chief software architect and was Microsoft's largest shareholder (individual) until 2014. An amalgamation of the geniuses of Bill Gates and Paul Allen gave birth to Microsoft, a company that is a household name today globally. This Harvard alumnus has also founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation alongside his wife, Melinda Gates, a non-profit organization working to fight against poverty, diseases, and inequity. It is the second-largest charitable organization in the world in terms of its assets and has a total endowment of over $70 billion.
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4. Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman is a successful American actress among the famous Harvard University alumni. She was enrolled in psychology and received her Harvard graduation in 1999-2003. She has won various awards throughout her career, including the British Academy Film Award and Golden Globe Awards. She also won the Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for her role in the movie Black Swan, released in 2010.
5. Ruth Bader Ginsburg
There are undoubtedly several members on the list of famous Harvard University alumni. However, Ruth Bader Ginsburg or "the Notorious R.B.G.", is among the most respected and fearless famous Harvard graduates. She was a civil rights champion and was a symbol of feminism. A lawyer who feared none and had taken the American Judiciary by becoming the first Jewish woman to have served on the American Court and as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of America from 1993 to 2020. She was also nominated by Bill Clinton, President of the U.S.A., as a replacement for Justice Byron White, a moderate consensus builder.
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6. Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Zuckerberg is a business mogul who, through his company, has revolutionized communication and networking by breaking the barriers of geography through online connectivity. Facebook enjoys being one of the biggest companies, with its total net worth at $695.60 Billion. People worldwide can connect, interact, and stay in touch today through Facebook, the company he founded. At the same time, he was enrolled in the Harvard University graduate programs with majors in Psychology and Computer Science.
Facebook, founded in 2004, has become a part of our lives in prominent ways and recently branded itself with its path-breaking recently rebranded as Meta Platforms Inc. in 2021. He currently serves as Meta's Executive Chairman, C.E.O. and controlling shareholder. The course remained unfinished since he dropped out to take his journey as the founder of Facebook from Harvard. In 2017, he was recently presented with the Honorary Doctor of Laws, one of the most advanced Harvard University degrees offered to the top rankers of Harvard who have completed Harvard Masters.
7. Matt Damon
Matt Damon enrolled in 1992 but dropped out of his Harvard degree after receiving an offer for a lead role in the movie Geronimo: An American Legend. One of the famous Harvard graduates, Matt Damon is an acclaimed actor and a multi-talented celebrity. He bagged an Academy Award for the best original screenplay in the movie Good Will Hunting, released in 1997. Forbes also lists him as the most bankable celebrity and among the highest-paid actors of all time, with a net worth of more than 3.88 US Dollars in North America.
8. T. S. Eliot
A legendary poet, T.S. Eliot and one of the most famous Harvard graduates. He is known in the literary world as the one who reformed modern poetry with his innovative and scintillating poetry, leaving a distinct mark that continues to inspire writers and poets worldwide. His work's blend of symbolism and complexity has been the cornerstone of literary expression.
While T.S. Eliot published several plays and poems throughout his life, he is best known for The Waste Land, which expressed disappointment after the First World War. The poem was considered highly complex, leading to readers and critics not completely understanding the meaning behind his work. While The Waste Land may not have been his grandest work, it is one of his most famous pieces of literary wonder. More publications by T.S. Eliot include The Naming of Cats, Preludes, and The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. His contributions to the literary world are a true testament to the long-enduring impact of a Harvard education.
9. George Bush
George W. Bush, one of the Harvard University alumni, is best known as a prominent statesman and leader. As a notable Harvard alumnus, Bush's journey from Harvard to power shows his impact. He was the 43rd President of the United States of America and was highly recognised for his dedication towards public service. He graduated from Harvard Business School in the year 1975 with a degree in business administration, making him the first president to have an M.B.A. degree.
10. Ratan Tata
Ratan Tata, the definition of leadership and vision in India, stands out among the famous Harvard University alumni. As one of the famous Harvard University alumni, Tata's influence is present worldwide in many different arenas. Under his leadership, the Tata Group expanded its business globally, setting the standard for innovation, research, and technology. Not only is Ratan Tata known for his business and work ethic, but he is also recognised worldwide for his philanthropy and dedication towards improving society in India. A 1975 Harvard Business School graduate, Ratan Tata remains one of India's leading industrialists and businessmen.
11. Helen Keller
Helen Keller was a well-known American author, activist, and lecturer. Even though she lost her eyesight and hearing abilities when she was only 19 months old, she could still accomplish many things throughout her life. Even before she graduated, Helen Keller authored two autobiographies - The Story of My Life (1902) and Optimism (1903), which earned national recognition and kick-started her writing career. In addition, Keller spent her life in political activism, where she supported various movements and was a great advocate for socialism as well. This famous Harvard alumnus attended the Radcliffe College of Harvard University, where she was recognised as the first disabled person to obtain a bachelor's degree in arts in the United States of America.
12. Robert Oppenheimer
J. Robert Oppenheimer, a renowned American physicist best known as the "father of the atomic bomb," gained legendary status for contributing to the Manhattan Project. He retired from the Institute of Advanced Study in 1963 after receiving the prestigious Enrico Fermi Award from the Atomic Energy Commission and died of cancer the following year.
J. Robert Oppenheimer stands out among the famous Harvard graduates because of his contributions to physics and science. The movie "Oppenheimer," in 2023, which captivated audiences, emphasizes his significance as Harvard University notable alumni even more.
13. Anand Mahindra
Anand Mahindra is an Indian billionaire and the Chairman of Mahindra Group in Mumbai. Amongst others, the Mahindra Group also has involvement in the automotive, agribusiness, construction equipment, and real estate industries. Aside from his business, Anand Mahindra is also a member of the U.S.–India Business Council (USIBC) and sits on the advisory council of Singapore's Economic Development Board.
Additionally, he is the Chairman of the India Advisory Council at the Lincoln Center in New York and is the Chairman of the Governing Council National Institute of Design. With these and many more accomplishments, Anand Mahindra is one of the most successful and influential Harvard University alumni.
14. Michelle Obama
We have Michelle Obama, an American attorney and author, joining this list of famous Harvard graduates. She served as the First Lady of The United States of America from 2009 to 2017 as President Barack Obama's wife. As a part of her educational training, Michelle Obama obtained her bachelor's degree from Princeton University and completed her juris doctor degree from Harvard Law School, making her mark on the list of famous Harvard University alumni even more remarkable.
15. Frank Delano Roosevelt
Frank Roosevelt was the 32nd president of the United States of America. As President, he led the country through The Great Depression by implementing the New Deal to navigate through the worst financial crisis in the country's history. For his education, Roosevelt attended Harvard College, where he was a Fly Club member and served as the editor-in-chief of The Harvard Crimson. As one of the most famous Harvard University alumni, Roosevelt is known worldwide for his global leadership and profound impact.
16. Neil deGrasse Tyson
Born and raised in New York City, Neil deGrasse Tyson is an American Astrophysicist, Author, and Science Communicator. Neil is one of the famous Harvard University alumni who earned his BA in Physics from Harvard University. Over the years, Neil has written several books, namely Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution, Death by Black Hole and Other Cosmic Quandaries, and Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier.
17. Conan O’Brien
Conan O’Brien is also a Harvard alumnus. He is an American television host of famous shows like Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Tonight Show, and Conan, comedian, writer, and producer. Conan graduated with a major in American History and Literature from Harvard University in 1985. Besides hosting talk shows, Conan has also worked as a voice-over artist for many animated movies like The LEGO Batman and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.
18. Michael Bloomberg
One of the famous Harvard graduates, Michael Bloomberg, is an American businessman, former Mayor of New York City, philanthropist, and author. He attended the Harvard Business School in 1966. Michael also co-founded Bloomberg LP, a privately held financial, software, data, and media company in 1981.
19. Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood, poet, novelist, story writer, essayist, and environmental activist, is also one of the famous Harvard University alumni. She earned her master’s degree from Radcliffe College of Harvard University. Margaret has written several books for which she has received several literary awards, including the Booker Prize and the Governor General’s Award. Some of her famous works include The Handmaid’s Tale, The Edible Woman, and The Robber Bride.
20. Tommy Lee Jones
Born in San Saba, Texas, Tommy Lee Jones is an American actor who has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. One of the famous Harvard University alumni, Tommy, graduated with a degree in English from Harvard University.
While we are at the end of the list of famous Harvard University alumni, we urge you to draw your inspiration and march ahead with confidence and willpower to be the change maker. The famous Harvard graduates' ensemble is so extensive that we can never have enough of their names in one place. Harvard University has seen generations of mega minds graduating from the campus and building a world of wonder for themselves and everyone around. They continue to shape the world and lead the way towards a brighter and better future. Also, check out this interesting blog about the world's great leaders ruling the modern era. Want to be part of the Harvard University alumni? Make sure you are aware of the Harvard acceptance rate.