Top 10 Harvard University Notable Alumni

Harvard University was established in the year 1636. It is famous for its academic excellence and innovation. Harvard has given us some of the brightest minds in the history. From great leaders in politics and business to influential figures in the arts and sciences Harvard has given us all.  

Harvard University has an unprecedented network of remarkable alumni: leaders who reshaped global politics, technology, and the arts. By 2025, the University had educated eight US presidents, from Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, the first Black president of the Harvard Law Review. Beyond the Oval Office, Harvard's influence extends to global heads of state such as Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia's first female president.

Admissions at Harvard University are tough. The alumni network of Harvard is also made up of tough leaders of different fields who have left a mark on society with their contributions. The famous Harvard alumni are not just presidents and leaders rather there are also business tycoons who lead the global markets. This article is dedicated to famous Harvard alumni. These alumni are some of the most influential people from the world. Check out legacy of ten famous Harvard alumni who have left an indelible mark on the world.

List of 50 Famous Harvard Alumni

Want to know about some of the most famous Harvard alumni up till 2025? Here is a list of top 50 famous Harvard alumni who have been recognised for their works and contributions to the society in some way or the other:

Let us now discuss about the top 10 most influential Harvard alumni in detail in the next section.

10 Top Notable Alumni of Harvard

With an alumni network of 400,000+, Harvard has given some of the most popular leaders, writers, politicians, artists and businessmen. While some dropped out of Harvard in the middle of their studies, others took a transfer to another US university , yet were honoured by Harvard University. One of the most popular Ivy League schools, Harvard alumni enjoy being referred to as Harvard pass-out tag. There are many on the list, but we have made a list of the top 10 famous Harvard alumni for you. Check out the section below about the top 10 famous Harvard alumni, their works and how they brought an impact on the world: 

Barack Obama

He is the first African-American president of the US. He is a decorated politician who was a Harvard alumnus of the 1991 batch. He graduated from the Harvard Law Review. It was because of his studies at Harvard that laid the foundation of his political career and making him elected as the 44th President of the United States in 2008.

Ratan Tata

The man who needs no introduction Mr. Tata. The most celebrated businessman, philanthropist and someone who brought a radical change in the Indian economy. Ratan Tata graduated from Harvard in 1971 and completed his Advanced Management degree. After he completed his graduation from Harvard, he was appointed as the Chairman of Tata Industries and was responsible for bringing new and innovative ideas to boost businesses across. Before graduating from Harvard Ratan Tata also pursued an architecture course at Cornell University. 

George W Bush

The 43rd President of the USA was also a Harvard University alumni. He is the first US president who completed his MBA from Harvard University offered at the Harvard Business School and graduated in 1975. Mr. Bush, served as the US President from the years 2001 to 2009. He was also a member of the Republican Party, where he served as the 46th governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman graduated from Harvard with a degree in Psychology in 2003. She was college senior of Mark Zuckerberg at Harvard. Natalie Portman graduated a year before Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard in 2004. While balancing her studies with an amazing acting career, Portman showed her dedication to education, embodying the essence of a true Harvard scholar. 

Hellen Keller

Another great figure from the history of Harvard. Hellen graduated from Harvard in the year 1904. She was the first disabled woman to complete her BA from Radcliffe College under Harvard University. Hellen was a celebrated author, an advocate and political activist for disability rights and later went on to become a lecturer as well.  

Conan O'Brien

Television host and comedian Conan O'Brien completed his graduation from Harvard University. He gained his comedic and charismatic talents when he was president of the Harvard Lampoon. And this made him a renouned figure in industry. 

John F. Kennedy

He is a well known figure in American politics. John F. Kennedy graduated from Harvard in 1940. He served as the 35th President of the United States. During his Harvard terms he got a deep sense of public service and leadership which helped him when he was elected as the president of US.

Margaret Atwood

Another famous Harvard alumni is Margaret Atwood, a Canadian poet, author and environmental activist. She pursued her Masters from Harvard University in 1962 and further went on for a doctorate. Margaret Atwood has written around 50 books and is a well-known name in the English literature industry. Thus, Margaret Atwood is a famous Harvard alumni who comes under the language and literature category of pass outs. Some of Margaret Atwoods famous works include - The Handmaid's Tale, Cat's Eye, Alias Grace and others.

T.S. Eliot

Considered as the most popular poet of the 20th century, TS Eliot is one of the most popular Harvard alumni. TS Eliot is also a Nobel Prize winner (1948) for his exceptional work in English poetry in areas of mysticism, broken and even haunting poetry. His tenure at Harvard encompasses his journey towards becoming one of the greatest poets of all time. Some of his popular works include - The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, The Waste Land, Preludes and others.

Theodore Roosevelt

 He is the youngest and 26th President of the United States. Roosevelt was the president from 1882 to 1945 until he passed away in 1945. He is known by different names TDR and Teddy.

Famous Indian Harvard Alumni

Want to know who are some other famous Harvard alumni? Let us look at some more names of famous Harvard alumni from the Indian origin. Here's another set of famous Harvard alumni from India who are known for their works and positions:

• Ratan Tata (popular businessman in India, former Chairman of Tata Group of Industries)
• Rajiv Gandhi (Former Indian Prime Minister)
• Mira Nair (Popular filmmaker)
• Anand Mahindra (Chairperson of Mahindra and Mahindra)

How to Become Harvard Alumni?

If you also aspire to become an alumni of Harvard, then you will also have to enrol at Harvard for admissions. You can enrol at bachelor's or master's based on your preference, complete your education and make it to the list of alumni of Harvard. If you plan on admissions at Harvard, then you must fulfil these requirements:

• Have GPA above 3.2 on 4.0 scale
• Submit SAT or ACT for undergraduate admissions or GRE or GMAT for postgraduate admissions
• Have English proficiency scores on IELTS or TOEFL
• Show some leadership qualities
• Submit authentic SOP and LORs

Once you are able to fulfil thesem you may be considered for admissions at Harvard. You must know that says, Harvard University acceptance rate is 4% so admissions can be very tough. So plan your profile accordingly. Till you complete your degree from Harvard you will not be called a Harvard alumni.