The Most Famous TED Speaker, Ranked

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

Updated on May 1, 2024 07:15

In the realm of ideas and innovation, TED Talks have carved out a special niche, captivating audiences worldwide with stories and insights that inspire and challenge. Determining the most famous TED speaker is not only about popularity but understanding whose ideas have had the deepest impact on people from various walks of life. By aggregating public opinion, a clearer picture emerges of whose words resonate the most in our collective consciousness. This dynamic ranking system invites you to participate by casting your vote for the TED speakers who have moved you, informed you, or changed your perspective. Each vote helps refine the list, ensuring it reflects the true sentiment of the community. Your participation is crucial in shaping an authentic ranking that continuously adjusts based on new voting data, highlighting the speakers who touch hearts and minds across the globe.

Who Is the Most Famous TED Speaker?

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75
votes
Sebastiaan ter Burg · CC BY-SA 2.0

Sir Ken Robinson

Sir Ken Robinson is a renowned author, educator, and speaker who has given some of the most popular and inspiring TED Talks on creativity and education. His most famous talk, "Do Schools Kill Creativity?" has been viewed over 66 million times and has become one of the most-watched TED Talks of all time.
Sir Ken Robinson in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous teacher at Magnet Brains
2

44
votes

Dell Inc. · CC BY 2.0

Brené Brown

Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work who has given several popular TED Talks on vulnerability, empathy, and shame. Her talk "The Power of Vulnerability" has been viewed over 63 million times and has become one of the most-watched TED Talks of all time.
3

18
votes

Lance Cpl. Brendan Mullin · Public domain

Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek is a leadership expert and author who has given several popular TED Talks on leadership, motivation, and human behavior. His talk "How Great Leaders Inspire Action" has been viewed over 47 million times and has become one of the most-watched TED Talks of all time.
4

18
votes

Evgenia (Jenya) Eliseeva · CC BY-SA 3.0

Amy Cuddy

Amy Cuddy is a social psychologist and professor at Harvard Business School who has given a popular TED Talk on body language and confidence. Her talk "Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are" has been viewed over 49 million times and has become one of the most-watched TED Talks of all time.
5

13
votes
Erik Charlton from Menlo Park, USA · CC BY 2.0

Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth Gilbert is a bestselling author and speaker who has given a popular TED Talk on creativity and inspiration. Her talk "Your Elusive Creative Genius" has been viewed over 18 million times and has become one of the most-watched TED Talks of all time.
Elizabeth Gilbert in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous freelancer
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous travel writer
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3
votes

Gapminder Foundation · CC BY 3.0

Hans Rosling

Hans Rosling was a Swedish physician, academic, and statistician who gave several popular TED Talks on global health and development. His talk "The Best Stats You've Ever Seen" has been viewed over 16 million times and has become one of the most-watched TED Talks of all time.
7

7
votes
Nwabu2010 · Public domain

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian novelist and speaker who has given a popular TED Talk on the danger of a single story. Her talk "The Danger of a Single Story" has been viewed over 21 million times and has become one of the most-watched TED Talks of all time.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most brilliant person in Nigeria
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous African writer
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous celebrity in Africa
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular person in Nigeria
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous journalist in Nigeria
8

4
votes

Dhpmccullought · CC BY-SA 3.0

Dan Pink

Dan Pink is a bestselling author and speaker who has given several popular TED Talks on motivation, creativity, and business. His talk "The Puzzle of Motivation" has been viewed over 19 million times and has become one of the most-watched TED Talks of all time.
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4
votes

Steve Jurvetson from Menlo Park, USA · CC BY 2.0

Jill Bolte Taylor

Jill Bolte Taylor is a neuroanatomist and author who has given a popular TED Talk on her experience of having a stroke and the insights it gave her into the workings of the brain. Her talk "My Stroke of Insight" has been viewed over 26 million times and has become one of the most-watched TED Talks of all time.
10

9
votes
Chatham House · CC BY 2.0

Sir Richard Branson

Sir Richard Branson is a British entrepreneur and founder of the Virgin Group who has given a popular TED Talk on why he started his company and the power of entrepreneurship. His talk "Life at 30,000 Feet" has been viewed over 4 million times.
Sir Richard Branson in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous sir

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Discussion

Ranking factors for famous speaker

Popularity

The number of views each speaker's TED Talk has received can be a good indicator of their fame. The higher the number of views, the more widely recognized and influential the speaker may be.
Impact

The impact of a speaker's TED Talk can be evaluated by considering the spread of their ideas and whether they have influenced public discourse or inspired change in any particular field.
Relevance

The relevance of a speaker's topic to current societal, technological, or scientific trends is important. Speakers discussing cutting-edge ideas or addressing pressing issues are often more likely to gain fame.
Awards and Recognition

Consider whether TED speakers have received recognition for their talks, such as TED Prizes, TEDx awards, or invitations to speak at other prestigious events.
Expertise and Credentials

The professional background and expertise of a speaker in their respective field can contribute to their fame. Speakers with notable credentials, such as distinguished researchers, well-known entrepreneurs, or accomplished artists, are often more highly regarded.
Longevity

Speakers who have a consistent presence in the TED community and continue to produce engaging content over time may be considered for their lasting impact and influence.
Public Perception

Public opinion and media coverage can also play a role in determining the fame of a TED speaker. Positive reception, media interviews, and citations in other publications can contribute to a speaker's fame.

About this ranking

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

Statistics

2163 views
194 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

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

More information on most famous ted speaker

TED Talks have become a cultural phenomenon over the last decade, with millions of people tuning in to watch the world's most innovative and inspiring speakers share their ideas. From science to technology, social issues to global affairs, and everything in between, TED covers it all. With such a vast collection of talks, it's no wonder that people are curious about who the most famous TED speaker is. Is it a scientist or a musician, a politician or a comedian? We'll explore the top contenders and what makes them stand out from the rest.