Top 10 Harvard University Notable Alumni

Harvard University, established in 1636, is a beacon of academic excellence and innovation. From pioneering leaders in politics and business to influential figures in the arts and sciences, Harvard has nurtured some of the brightest minds in history. We will discuss some of the famous Harvard alumni in this article.  

Do you wish to know some of the most influential people who are Harvard alumni? Alumni who have studied at Harvard University have brought a change in the lives of people globally. According to QS ranking 2025, Havard University is on of the top 10 universities in the world. Let's delve into the legacy of ten famous Harvard alumni who have left an indelible mark on the world. 

List of Top 10 Famous Harvard Alumni

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:

1. Barack Obama

The first African-American president of the US and the most popular one too is Barack Obama. He is a decorated politician who was a Harvard alumnus of the ‘91 batch and graduated from the Harvard Law Review. His tenure at Harvard laid the foundation for a groundbreaking political career, culminating in his historic election as the 44th President of the United States in 2008. 

2. Ratan Tata

The most celebrated businessman, philanthropist and someone who has brought a radical change in the Indian economy is Ratan Tata. Having pursued an Advanced Management degree from Harvard in 1971, Ratan Tata’s journey since then has only expanded. After he graduated 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. 

3. George W Bush

The 43rd President of the USA, George W. Bush is also a famous Harvard University alumni. He is the first US president who holds an MBA from Harvard University offered at the Harvard Business School and graduated in 1975. Also studied at Yale University, George W. Bush has a history of studying at the top US universities. 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.

4. Natalie Portman

Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman graduated from Harvard with a degree in Psychology in 2003. Senior to Mark Zuckerberg, Natalie Portman graduated a year before Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard in 2004. While balancing her studies with a burgeoning acting career, Portman demonstrated her intellectual prowess and dedication to education, embodying the essence of a true Harvard scholar. She is also among the famous Harvard alumni, given her popularity and importance in Hollywood. 

5. Hellen Keller

Helen Keller is a trailblazing figure in the history of the USA and a famous Harvard alumni. She was the first disabled woman to have attained a BA from Radcliffe College of Harvard University in in 1904 in USA. She is a celebrated author was an advocate and political activist for disability rights and later went on to become a lecturer as well. One of the most important figures and also a famous Harvard alumni.  

6. Conan O'Brien

Celebrated television host and comedian Conan O'Brien graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, where he cultivated his comedic talents as president of the Harvard Lampoon. O'Brien's wit and charisma, honed during his time at Harvard, have made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. He is also among the top top famous Harvard alumni. 

7. John F. Kennedy

A towering figure in American politics, John F. Kennedy graduated from Harvard in 1940 before serving as the 35th President of the United States. His time at Harvard instilled in him a deep sense of public service and leadership, guiding his transformative presidency and shaping his enduring legacy. He was also a famous Harvard alumni, among the other eight presidents of the United States of America. 

8. Margaret Atwood

Another famous Harvard alumni is Margaret Atwood, a Canadian poet, author and environmental activist. She pursued her Master’s 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 passouts. Some of Margaret Atwood’s famous works include - The Handmaid’s Tale, Cat’s Eye, Alias Grace and others. 

9. 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.

10. Theodore Roosevelt

The 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt is one of the youngest US presidents to date. Roosevelt held the position from 1882 to 1945 until he passed away in 1945. Referred by different names - TDR and Teddy, Roosevelt was a popular US president. In the year 1880, Roosevelt graduated with Phi Beta Kappa (22nd of 177) from Harvard with an A.B. magna cum laude. After eight years he was elected as the President of USA.  

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Who are Other Famous Harvard Alumni?

Here’s another set of famous Harvard alumni, their key positions which not be missed when talking about famous Harvard alumni. Some of the most famous Harvard alumni are as follows:

These are also some of the key personalities who excelled in their fields after graduating from Harvard University. Apart from these, there are also prominent Indian personalities who have graduated from Harvard and are globally known for their works and positions. 

Famous Indian Harvard Alumni

Some of the famous Indian Harvard alumni include:

• 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) 
• Rahul Bajaj (Chairperson of Bajaj Group)
• Suhel Seth (Indian businessman and columnist)
• Ashish Nanda (Former Director of IIM Ahmedabad)

From world leaders and innovators to cultural icons and trailblazers, the illustrious alumni of Harvard University continue to shape our world in profound and meaningful ways. Their diverse contributions were a testament to the university's enduring commitment to excellence, innovation, and positive global impact.