Highest IQ Scores in History: The World's Smartest People

Legendary Minds

Throughout history, certain individuals have demonstrated extraordinary intellectual abilities. While IQ testing has only existed for about a century, researchers have estimated the IQ of historical figures based on their achievements.

William James Sidis (IQ: 250-300)

Considered one of the smartest people who ever lived, Sidis was a child prodigy who could read at 18 months and was accepted to Harvard at age 11.

Terence Tao (IQ: 225-230)

Australian-American mathematician Terence Tao is considered one of the greatest living mathematicians. He scored 760 on the SAT at age 8.

Albert Einstein (IQ: 160-190)

While Einstein never took a formal IQ test, his estimated IQ based on his revolutionary contributions to physics places him among the highest scorers in history.

Stephen Hawking (IQ: 160)

The renowned theoretical physicist had an IQ of 160, though he once said, "People who boast about their IQ are losers."

Marilyn vos Savant (IQ: 228)

Listed in the Guinness World Records for the highest recorded IQ, vos Savant is known for her "Ask Marilyn" column where she solves complex problems.