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Some of the world's most famous people

From Africa to America, every continent has a long list of famous people. They all made a great contribution to the world by changing how things are done, not only where they live but across the world. It is for their efforts that they get recognition wherever their names are mentioned.

Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan woman who made a great contribution for the environment. Nobody in her lifetime was credited for saving so many trees from destruction. She campaigned for environmental awareness and spearheaded many demonstrations against those who wanted to destroy major forests. For saving Karura forest and Uhuru Park in Kenya, Wangari Mathaai became the first African woman to win the coveted Nobel peace prize which made her instantly famous.

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was born in South Africa. He was locked up in prison for twenty six years for fighting against the discrimination of his fellow black people during the infamous apartheid. The people of his country loved him so much that they made him president as soon as they got independence. Madiba, as South African people fondly call him, resigned from presidency shortly afterwards, a feat that many African leaders cannot fathom. His great love for the people also earned him a Nobel Prize for peace. The whole world loves and knows Mandela for his noble and selfless deeds.

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa is considered one of the most famous catholic nuns of all times. She gave homes to the destitute all over the world. This is why everyone fondly remembers this humble soul many years since her death. She certainly served God by helping the poor in society.

Richard Branson

Sir Richard Branson

Another famous person in the world is an Englishman known as Sir Richard Branson. This avid businessman is famed not only for his Virgin brand but also for his works of charity. He claims to be bound by no draconian rules in what he does and will never be seen in a tie as many business elite. Richard Branson has businesses in almost every country which earns him a slot among the ten most famous in the world.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson

In the world of entertainment everyone has definitely heard the name Michael Jackson. This man could spit out lyrics and dance like no one else would. He started singing when he was a child and even then he would outshine his brothers who sang alongside him in the famous Jackson five band. He grew up to a lucrative career in music and other artistes scrambled for a chance to sing alongside him. His fame made him traverse many parts of the world to showcase his music.

Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci

The world has seen many artists but none of them gained so much fame as the great Leonardo da Vinci. Mention his name and the faces around you will beam with recognition. He is not only known for his great paintings like the Madonna half smile but he is also credited with making many famous sculptures. This was a man of many talents as he could also perform many tasks including engineering works. These are just some of the things that made this man so famous for books and movies to be made about him. Certainly, everyone has heard of The Da Vinci Code!

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is the most famous soccer player of these times. He has broken all the football records there are and he is still going. This man is solely responsible for making his Barcelona team the winner of many coveted trophies. He was born on June 24 in the year 1987 and then, his star did not shine so bright. He suffered a condition that prevented normal growth but he displayed rare talent in soccer. He was noticed by football scouts at his town of Rosario in Argentina and was taken into the Barcelona football academy where he honed his skills. Since then, Messi has become one among few world famous soccer players and he has won the enviable Footballer of the Year award several times.

Kofi Anan

Kofi Anan

Kofi Anan is a Ghanaian born peace activist. He served as the first United Nations secretary general from Africa. In his tenure, he was responsible for brokering many peace deals across the world. Kofi Anan remains famous even after his job at UN was over because he still serves in different capacities to bring peace to nations in strife. Most recently, he mediated and helped bring peace to Kenya after the 2007 elections went sour. Many had tried but he managed to bring two presidential candidates to terms after the disputed elections which ended in violence and threatened to bring Kenya to its Knees.

Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg is an American film director and producer whose works are recognized the world over. He is credited with making many award winning films like catch me if you can among many more. He actually dropped out of university to pursue his film career and he definitely became famous for it.

Angela Merkel

Angela Merkel

One of the most famous politicians in the world is probably Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany. She is a powerful icon who represents not only politicians but women across the world. She has been chancellor since 2005 and is also the chairperson of the Christian Democratic union. to prove that she is indeed famous, Merkel has been ranked among fifty most influential persons in the world.

The people mentioned in this list have been globally recognized for their unrivalled actions. They have made a contribution to the world by their deeds and by this; they have certainly changed the world’s perspective. They have lived up to Wangari Mathaai’s mantra of living like a humming bird by making their contribution in every small way that they possibly could.