The Most Famous Refugee, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the refugee you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 5, 2024 07:12

In a world marked by conflicts and upheavals, many individuals find themselves displaced from their homes, seeking refuge in foreign lands. These journeys, often fraught with challenges, sometimes give rise to inspiring stories of resilience and success. Highlighting famous refugees helps acknowledge their contributions and the diverse skills they bring to their new communities. By participating in this interactive ranking, users have the opportunity to engage with these stories, learning more about the individuals behind the headlines. Voting and seeing a live ranking unfold provides a dynamic way to appreciate how these figures impact our society and culture, encouraging a deeper understanding and appreciation of their journeys and achievements.

Who Is the Most Famous Refugee?

1

81
votes
Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein

Einstein fled Nazi Germany in 1933 and became a refugee in the United States. He is one of the most famous scientists of all time and is known for his contributions to the theory of relativity.
Albert Einstein was a revolutionary physicist who developed the theory of relativity, which greatly influenced our understanding of the laws of physics and the universe. Despite facing initial skepticism and rejection, his work eventually led to numerous advances in science and technology.

Theory of Relativity: Einstein's groundbreaking theory that explains the relationships between space, time, and gravity.

Nobel Prize in Physics: Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.

E=mc²: The famous equation derived by Einstein, which relates energy (E) to mass (m) and the speed of light (c) squared.

Special Relativity: A theory that describes the behavior of objects moving at constant velocities relative to each other, challenging traditional concepts of space and time.

General Relativity: An extension of special relativity that includes acceleration and gravity, explaining the curvature of space and the motion of celestial bodies.
Albert Einstein in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous PhDs
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Pisces person
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous Israeli
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous bow tie wearer
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous father
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous historical person
2

37
votes
Carl Lender · CC BY-SA 3.0

Freddie Mercury

Mercury was born in Zanzibar and fled to England with his family in the 1960s due to political unrest. He went on to become the lead singer of the rock band Queen and is regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock music.
Freddie Mercury in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Parsi
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous rock singer
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous person born in September
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous gay man
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Virgo
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous person in Tanzania
3

30
votes
United States Department of State · Public domain

Madeleine Albright

Albright was born in Czechoslovakia and fled with her family to the United States in 1948. She became the first female Secretary of State in the United States and is known for her advocacy for human rights and democracy.
Madeleine Albright in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous immigrant in the US
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous ambassador
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous Secretary of State
4

9
votes
U.S. State Department · Public domain

Gloria Estefan

Estefan was born in Cuba and fled with her family to the United States in 1960. She is a Grammy-winning singer and songwriter known for her Latin pop music.
Gloria Estefan in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous person in Miami
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous Cuban singer
- Position 2 of 10 in Most beautiful woman in Miami
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous immigrant in the US
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Floridian
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous Salsa singer
5

20
votes
*christopher* · CC BY 2.0

Dalai Lama

The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, fled Tibet in 1959 and became a refugee in India. He is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and is known for his advocacy for peace and non-violence.
The Dalai Lama is a spiritual leader and the highest-ranking monk in Tibetan Buddhism. He is known for his compassion, wisdom, and peaceful approach to resolving conflicts. The Dalai Lama is often regarded as the embodiment of the Bodhisattva of Compassion and acts as a moral and ethical guide for millions of people around the world.

Spiritual Leadership: The Dalai Lama is considered the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, guiding the spiritual practices and teachings of millions of followers worldwide.

Compassion: Compassion is at the core of the Dalai Lama's philosophy. He promotes non-violence, kindness, and empathy as means to achieve personal and global happiness.

Wisdom: The Dalai Lama is renowned for his vast knowledge and deep understanding of Buddhism, philosophy, psychology, and various fields of study. He shares his wisdom through teachings and writings.

Peace Advocacy: The Dalai Lama has been a strong advocate for peace, resolving conflicts through dialogue and understanding. He has actively promoted peacebuilding efforts worldwide.

Exiled Leader: The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has been living in exile since 1959 due to the Chinese occupation of Tibet. He continues to advocate for the rights and autonomy of the Tibetan people.
Dalai Lama in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous monk
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular religious leaders in the world
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous guru
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous religious figure
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous Asian
- Position 9 of 10 in Most beautiful personality in the world
6

17
votes
Ali Dan-Bouzoua from New York, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0

Wyclef Jean

Jean was born in Haiti and fled with his family to the United States in 1982. He is a Grammy-winning rapper and producer known for his work with the Fugees and his solo career.
Wyclef Jean in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous Haitian
7

16
votes
Lesekreis · CC BY-SA 4.0

Isabel Allende

Allende was born in Chile and fled to Venezuela in 1973 after the military coup. She is a renowned author known for her novels, including "The House of the Spirits" and "Eva Luna".
Isabel Allende in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous living author
8

11
votes
Rudolf Suroch · Public domain

Josephine Baker

Baker was born in the United States but became a French citizen and lived in France for most of her life. She became a refugee during World War II and worked for the French Resistance. She is known for her work as a dancer, singer, and actress.
Josephine Baker in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Josephine
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous female spy
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous person from St. Louis
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous Burlesque dancer
9

5
votes
Marlene_Dietrich_in_No_Highway_(1951).jpg: Twentieth Century Fox derivative work: TonyPolar (talk) · Public domain

Marlene Dietrich

Dietrich was born in Germany and fled to the United States in 1930 to escape Nazi persecution. She is a legendary actress known for her roles in films such as "Morocco" and "Garden of Allah".
Marlene Dietrich in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous German actress
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous flight attendant
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous old Hollywood actress
10

10
votes

Iman

Iman was born in Somalia and fled to Kenya in 1972 before moving to the United States. She became a successful model and is known for her work with fashion designers such as Yves Saint Laurent and Calvin Klein.

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Ranking factors for famous refugee

Public awareness and recognition

The level of recognition and public awareness of the individual as a refugee is crucial. This can be evaluated by considering factors such as media coverage, public events, and social media presence.
Impact and influence

The impact and influence that the refugee has had on global humanitarian issues, their community, or their field of expertise should be considered. This can include advocacy work, policy changes, or significant contributions in their respective fields.
Historical significance

Evaluating the historical significance of a refugee can be important, especially if their story and journey had a profound impact on society or inspired change.
Cultural significance

The refugee's role or contribution to arts, literature, music, or sports can also be an influential factor in ranking their fame. Their influence on popular culture or their ability to inspire others through their talent can elevate their fame.
Personal achievements and recognition

Consideration should be given to the individual's personal accomplishments, such as awards, honors, or achievements in their respective fields.
Longevity and enduring impact

Assessing the long-term impact and endurance of fame is crucial in determining a person's rank. If the refugee's story and legacy continue to inspire and their impact remains relevant, it adds to their fame.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous refugee. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or refugee is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2412 views
231 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each refugee once every 24 hours. The rank of each refugee is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous refugee

The refugee crisis has been a pressing issue around the world, causing millions of people to flee their homes in search of safety and a better life. Among these refugees are some of the most famous and influential people in history. From politicians to artists, athletes to activists, these individuals have made significant contributions to the world despite the challenges they faced as refugees. One of the most famous refugees in recent history is the late Nelson Mandela. The former South African president and anti-apartheid revolutionary spent 27 years in prison before being released and leading his country to democracy. Another well-known refugee is Albert Einstein, who fled Nazi Germany and went on to become one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century. Other notable refugees include former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who fled Czechoslovakia during World War II, and musician Freddie Mercury, who left Zanzibar during the revolution in 1964. These individuals and many others have demonstrated the resilience and determination that refugees exhibit in order to overcome adversity and make positive impacts in the world.