Claim profile
1980–1989

The 1980s

Whose names filled the books of the 1980s — anyone at all, however long dead — counted as mentions per million words printed, so a period that simply published more does not inflate anyone.

Talked about then

Whose names appeared most in German books during the 1980s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish26,996German4,056French3,779Italian2,019Spanish1,530Russian789Chinese279Hebrew145
  1. 1Thomas MannThomas Mann1875–1955 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12
  2. 2Frederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-HechingenFrederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen1663–1735 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures10
  3. 3Frederick William, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick William, Elector of Brandenburg1620–1688 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures10
  4. 4Frederick William of Saxe-MeiningenFrederick William of Saxe-Meiningen1679–1746 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures10
  5. 5Frederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-SchwedtFrederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt1700–1771 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany10
  6. 6Karl MarxKarl Marx1818–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics9.8
  7. 7NovalisNovalis1772–1801 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers7.8
  8. 8Jean PaulJean Paul1763–1825 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers6.4
  9. 9Erich HoneckerErich Honecker1912–1994 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians5.7
  10. 10Max WeberMax Weber1864–1920 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics4.9
  11. 11Friedrich EngelsFriedrich Engels1820–1895 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics4.8
  12. 12Johann Georg, Duke of Saxe-WeissenfelsJohann Georg, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels1677–1712 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures4.8
  13. 13John George, Elector of BrandenburgJohn George, Elector of Brandenburg1525–1598 · 16th century · Religious Figures4.8
  14. 14John Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-HilpoltsteinJohn Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-Hilpoltstein1587–1644 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany4.6
  15. 15John Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgJohn Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1625–1679 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures4.6
  16. 16John Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-RudolstadtJohn Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt1721–1767 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures4.6
  17. 17John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-AnsbachJohn Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach1654–1686 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models4.6
  18. 18John Frederick, Duke of PomeraniaJohn Frederick, Duke of Pomerania1542–1600 · 16th century · Religious Figures4.6
  19. 19John Frederick, Duke of WürttembergJohn Frederick, Duke of Württemberg1582–1628 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures4.6
  20. 20Friedrich II, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich II, Grand Duke of Baden1857–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures4.5
  21. 21Frederick II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgFrederick II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1418–1478 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures4.5
  22. 22Frederick II, Elector PalatineFrederick II, Elector Palatine1482–1556 · 16th century4.5
  23. 23Frederick II of LegnicaFrederick II of Legnica1480–1547 · 16th century4.5
  24. 24Frederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1676–1732 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians4.5
  25. 25Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1633–1708 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany4.5
  26. 26Heinrich MannHeinrich Mann1871–1950 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers3.9
  27. 27Martin LutherMartin Luther1483–1546 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures3.8
  28. 28Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler1889–1945 · 20th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians3.4
  29. 29Karl KrausKarl Kraus1874–1936 · 20th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Writers3.3
  30. 30Richard WagnerRichard Wagner1813–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians3.3
  31. 31Heinrich HeineHeinrich Heine1797–1856 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers3.2
  32. 32Carl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-EisenachCarl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1783–1853 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.2
  33. 33Karl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgKarl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg1668–1721 · 18th century · Historical Figures3.2
  34. 34Charles Frederick, Duke of Saxe-MeiningenCharles Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen1712–1743 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.2
  35. 35Bertolt BrechtBertolt Brecht1898–1956 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers3.1
  36. 36Friedrich SchlegelFriedrich Schlegel1772–1829 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers3.1
  37. 37Helmut SchmidtHelmut Schmidt1918–2015 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3.1
  38. 38Maria TheresaMaria Theresa1717–1780 · 18th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures3.0
  39. 39William II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgWilliam II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1300–1369 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.9
  40. 40WIWilliam II, Count of Weimar930–1003 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.9
  41. 41William II, Duke of BavariaWilliam II, Duke of Bavaria1365–1417 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.9
  42. 42WIWilliam II, Margrave of Meissen1371–1425 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.9
  43. 43Wilhelm II of WürttembergWilhelm II of Württemberg1848–1921 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.9
  44. 44William II of Hesse-KasselWilliam II of Hesse-Kassel1777–1847 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.9
  45. 45WIWilliam II of Jülich1200–1207 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.9
  46. 46Wilhelm II, German EmperorWilhelm II, German Emperor1859–1941 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.9
  47. 47William II, Duke of JülichWilliam II, Duke of Jülich1325–1393 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.9
  48. 48Rosa LuxemburgRosa Luxemburg1871–1919 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Activists2.8
  49. 49Willy BrandtWilly Brandt1913–1992 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.7
  50. 50Anna SeghersAnna Seghers1900–1983 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers2.7
  51. 51Christa WolfChrista Wolf1929–2011 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers2.7
  52. 52Konrad AdenauerKonrad Adenauer1876–1967 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.5
  53. 53Helmut KohlHelmut Kohl1930–2017 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.4
  54. 54William I, Duke of BavariaWilliam I, Duke of Bavaria1330–1389 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.3
  55. 55William I, German EmperorWilliam I, German Emperor1797–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  56. 56Wilhelm I of WürttembergWilhelm I of Württemberg1781–1864 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.3
  57. 57William I, Count of Nassau-SiegenWilliam I, Count of Nassau-Siegen1487–1559 · 16th century2.3
  58. 58William, Landgrave of Hesse-RotenburgWilliam, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg1648–1725 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.3
  59. 59William IWilliam I1343–1407 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  60. 60William the SilentWilliam the Silent1533–1584 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.3
  61. 61William I, Elector of HesseWilliam I, Elector of Hesse1743–1821 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  62. 62WIWilliam I of Weimar900–963 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.3
  63. 63Frederick III, Burgrave of NurembergFrederick III, Burgrave of Nuremberg1220–1297 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.3
  64. 64Frederick III, German EmperorFrederick III, German Emperor1831–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.3
  65. 65Frederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1673–1746 · 18th century · Politicians2.3
  66. 66Frederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-GottorpFrederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp1597–1659 · 17th century · Historical Figures2.3
  67. 67Frederick III of the PalatinateFrederick III of the Palatinate1515–1576 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models2.3
  68. 68Friedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-BayreuthFriedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth1711–1763 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models2.3
  69. 69Frederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1699–1772 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  70. 70Frederick III of LegnicaFrederick III of Legnica1520–1570 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.3
  71. 71Frederick III, Prince of Salm-KyrburgFrederick III, Prince of Salm-Kyrburg1744–1794 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.3
  72. 72Frederick III, Margrave of BadenFrederick III, Margrave of Baden1327–1353 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models2.3
  73. 73Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-BevernAugustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Bevern1715–1781 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.2
  74. 74Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgAugustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1662–1731 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.2
  75. 75Walter BenjaminWalter Benjamin1892–1940 · 20th century · Academics2.2
  76. 76George Frederick of Waldeck-EisenbergGeorge Frederick of Waldeck-Eisenberg1620–1692 · 17th century · Models2.1
  77. 77ParacelsusParacelsus1493–1541 · 16th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Doctors2.1
  78. 78Charles Augustus, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-EisenachCharles Augustus, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1757–1828 · 18th century · Politicians2.1
  79. 79Jacob GrimmJacob Grimm1785–1863 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics2.0
  80. 80Ernst ThälmannErnst Thälmann1886–1944 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.9
  81. 81Karl LiebknechtKarl Liebknecht1871–1919 · 20th century · Politicians1.9
  82. 82Richard StraussRichard Strauss1864–1949 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians1.9
  83. 83Ernst BlochErnst Bloch1885–1977 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics1.9
  84. 84Gerhart HauptmannGerhart Hauptmann1862–1946 · 19th century · Writers1.9
  85. 85TannhäuserTannhäuser1300–1300 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.8
  86. 86Günter GrassGünter Grass1927–2015 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.8
  87. 87Franz KafkaFranz Kafka1883–1924 · 20th century · Writers1.8
  88. 88William IV, Landgrave of Hesse-KasselWilliam IV, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel1532–1592 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists1.8
  89. 89Klaus MannKlaus Mann1906–1949 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.7
  90. 90Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud1856–1939 · 19th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Writers1.7
  91. 91Hermann HesseHermann Hesse1877–1962 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.7
  92. 92Joseph II, Holy Roman EmperorJoseph II, Holy Roman Emperor1741–1790 · 18th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures1.7
  93. 93Karl MayKarl May1842–1912 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.7
  94. 94Charles IV, Holy Roman EmperorCharles IV, Holy Roman Emperor1316–1378 · 14th century · Historical Figures1.7
  95. 95Stefan GeorgeStefan George1868–1933 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.7
  96. 96Ingeborg BachmannIngeborg Bachmann1926–1973 · 20th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Writers1.6
  97. 97John William, Duke of Saxe-WeimarJohn William, Duke of Saxe-Weimar1530–1573 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.6
  98. 98JWJohn William, Duke of Saxe-Jena1675–1690 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.6
  99. 99John William III of Saxe-EisenachJohn William III of Saxe-Eisenach1666–1729 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.6
  100. 100John William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-BergJohn William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg1562–1609 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures1.6

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1980s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Donald TrumpDonald Trumpborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  2. 2Vladimir PutinVladimir Putinborn 1952 · Politicians3 decades
  3. 3Xi JinpingXi Jinpingborn 1953 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians3 decades
  4. 4Freddie MercuryFreddie Mercury1946–1991 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians3 decades
  5. 5Angela MerkelAngela Merkelborn 1954 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  6. 6Charles, Prince of WalesCharles, Prince of Walesborn 1948 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures8 decades
  7. 7Hugo ChávezHugo Chávez1954–2013 · Politicians3 decades
  8. 8Robin WilliamsRobin Williams1951–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  9. 9Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin Netanyahuborn 1949 · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians4 decades
  10. 10Steven SpielbergSteven Spielbergborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  11. 11Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnold Schwarzeneggerborn 1947 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Actors4 decades
  12. 12Alexander LukashenkoAlexander Lukashenkoborn 1954 · Politicians3 decades
  13. 13Bob MarleyBob Marley1945–1981 · Musicians5 decades
  14. 14Jackie ChanJackie Chanborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  15. 15George W. BushGeorge W. Bushborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  16. 16François HollandeFrançois Hollandeborn 1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians4 decades
  17. 17David BowieDavid Bowie1947–2016 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  18. 18Bill ClintonBill Clintonborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  19. 19Stephen KingStephen Kingborn 1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  20. 20Meryl StreepMeryl Streepborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  21. 21Sylvester StalloneSylvester Stalloneborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  22. 22Recep Tayyip ErdoğanRecep Tayyip Erdoğanborn 1954 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians1 decades
  23. 23Dolly PartonDolly Parton1946–2026 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  24. 24Pablo EscobarPablo Escobar1949–1993 · Politicians4 decades
  25. 25Alla PugachevaAlla Pugachevaborn 1949 · 🇮🇱 Israel · Musicians5 decades
  26. 26Valery LeontievValery Leontievborn 1949 · Musicians4 decades
  27. 27John TravoltaJohn Travoltaborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  28. 28Ozzy OsbourneOzzy Osbourne1948–2025 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians3 decades
  29. 29David LynchDavid Lynch1946–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  30. 30Denzel WashingtonDenzel Washingtonborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  31. 31CherCherborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  32. 32Elton JohnElton Johnborn 1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  33. 33Sigourney WeaverSigourney Weaverborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  34. 34Johan CruyffJohan Cruyff1947–2016 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Footballers4 decades
  35. 35Franz BeckenbauerFranz Beckenbauer1945–2024 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers5 decades
  36. 36Cristina Fernández de KirchnerCristina Fernández de Kirchnerborn 1953 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Lawyers2 decades
  37. 37Sergey LavrovSergey Lavrovborn 1950 · Politicians2 decades
  38. 38Viktor YanukovychViktor Yanukovychborn 1950 · Politicians2 decades
  39. 39Bruce SpringsteenBruce Springsteenborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  40. 40Pierce BrosnanPierce Brosnanborn 1953 · Actors3 decades
  41. 41Diane KeatonDiane Keaton1946–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  42. 42James CameronJames Cameronborn 1954 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directors7 decades
  43. 43Liam NeesonLiam Neesonborn 1952 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  44. 44Gérard DepardieuGérard Depardieuborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors5 decades
  45. 45Hillary ClintonHillary Clintonborn 1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians3 decades
  46. 46Steven SeagalSteven Seagalborn 1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  47. 47Helen MirrenHelen Mirrenborn 1945 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  48. 48Charlotte RamplingCharlotte Ramplingborn 1946 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  49. 49Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaLuiz Inácio Lula da Silvaborn 1945 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Politicians1 decades
  50. 50Tony BlairTony Blairborn 1953 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians3 decades
  51. 51George R. R. MartinGeorge R. R. Martinborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1 decades
  52. 52StingStingborn 1951 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians7 decades
  53. 53Jeffrey EpsteinJeffrey Epstein1953–2019 · 🇺🇸 United States · Business Professionals0 decades
  54. 54Narendra ModiNarendra Modiborn 1950 · 🇮🇳 India · Politicians2 decades
  55. 55Eric ClaptonEric Claptonborn 1945 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  56. 56Samuel L. JacksonSamuel L. Jacksonborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  57. 57Phil CollinsPhil Collinsborn 1951 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians4 decades
  58. 58Haruki MurakamiHaruki Murakamiborn 1949 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers2 decades
  59. 59Susan SarandonSusan Sarandonborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  60. 60Salman RushdieSalman Rushdieborn 1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers4 decades
  61. 61Alan RickmanAlan Rickman1946–2016 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  62. 62VajiralongkornVajiralongkornborn 1952 · Historical Figures0 decades
  63. 63Daniel OrtegaDaniel Ortegaborn 1945 · Politiciansnot measured—
  64. 64Pedro AlmodóvarPedro Almodóvarborn 1949 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Directors4 decades
  65. 65Carl XVI Gustaf of SwedenCarl XVI Gustaf of Swedenborn 1946 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  66. 66Oprah WinfreyOprah Winfreyborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  67. 67Shinzō AbeShinzō Abe1954–2022 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0 decades
  68. 68Liza MinnelliLiza Minnelliborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  69. 69Thomas SankaraThomas Sankara1949–1987 · Politicians4 decades
  70. 70Richard GereRichard Gereborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  71. 71Stevie WonderStevie Wonderborn 1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  72. 72Ted BundyTed Bundy1946–1989 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures4 decades
  73. 73Al GoreAl Goreborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  74. 74Arsène WengerArsène Wengerborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers2 decades
  75. 75Kassym-Jomart TokayevKassym-Jomart Tokayevborn 1953 · Politiciansnot measured—
  76. 76John GoodmanJohn Goodmanborn 1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  77. 77Aung San Suu KyiAung San Suu Kyiborn 1945 · Politicians4 decades
  78. 78Camilla, Duchess of CornwallCamilla, Duchess of Cornwallborn 1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Activists0 decades
  79. 79Brian MayBrian Mayborn 1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians3 decades
  80. 80Paulo CoelhoPaulo Coelhoborn 1947 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Musicians2 decades
  81. 81Patrick SwayzePatrick Swayze1952–2009 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  82. 82Gerd MüllerGerd Müller1945–2021 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Footballers7 decades
  83. 83António GuterresAntónio Guterresborn 1949 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Politicians0 decades
  84. 84Jeff BridgesJeff Bridgesborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  85. 85Hulk HoganHulk Hogan1953–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Athletes3 decades
  86. 86Kim BasingerKim Basingerborn 1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  87. 87Abdel Fattah el-SisiAbdel Fattah el-Sisiborn 1954 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Politicians0 decades
  88. 88Sally FieldSally Fieldborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  89. 89Bill MurrayBill Murrayborn 1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  90. 90Jean RenoJean Renoborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors2 decades
  91. 91Masoud PezeshkianMasoud Pezeshkianborn 1954 · Politiciansnot measured—
  92. 92Glenn CloseGlenn Closeborn 1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  93. 93Jeremy IronsJeremy Ironsborn 1948 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  94. 94Tommy Lee JonesTommy Lee Jonesborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  95. 95Steve WozniakSteve Wozniakborn 1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists4 decades
  96. 96Kathy BatesKathy Batesborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  97. 97Zaha HadidZaha Hadid1950–2016 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Architects3 decades
  98. 98Agnetha FältskogAgnetha Fältskogborn 1950 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians0 decades
  99. 99Jessica LangeJessica Langeborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  100. 100Goldie HawnGoldie Hawnborn 1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades

How this is measured

  • Placing people in time. Each person belongs to the century in which they were most active — around age 35, and never after their death.
  • Who ranks highest. Within a century, people are ranked where two independent signals agree: how many of the world’s Wikipedia language editions cover them, and how many people actually read about them. Article counts alone can be lifted by a person’s own circle; readers cannot.
  • Fame in print. The curves count how often a name appears in Google Books from 1800 to 2019, as a share of all the words printed each year, in the person’s own language wherever that corpus exists. Those decades are over, so each measurement is made once and kept.
  • What is left out. A lifetime is measured only from 1820, when there is enough print to judge; the five years after a death are skipped as obituaries; and a name shared with someone equally notable is credited to neither.