Celebrities IQ

What Is Howard Hughes's IQ?

By Samantha Davis, Psychology Writer
Published on August 29, 2024

Image by Acme Newspictures, Inc., used under Public Domain / Incorporated into an illustration

Howard Hughes's IQ Was 159

Howard Hughes is often remembered as a brilliant yet deeply troubled individual who left an undeniable mark on American history. Known for his achievements in aviation and film, Hughes was a visionary who pushed the boundaries of both industries. He became a millionaire by the age of 18, setting world records as an aviator and producing iconic films such as Hell’s Angels, which was one of the most expensive movies ever made at that time. With an estimated IQ of 159, Hughes has an extraordinary intellect that allowed him to innovate and excel in various fields. He engineered cutting-edge aircraft and revolutionized Hollywood with his bold productions. However, his intelligence also fueled a relentless pursuit of perfection that eventually led to his downfall. Howard Hughes’s later years were marked by severe mental health struggles, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and paranoia. These conditions isolated him from the world, turning him into a reclusive figure who lived in near-complete seclusion, often obsessing over cleanliness and personal hygiene to an extreme degree. Despite his immense wealth and intelligence, Howard Hughes's life ended in loneliness and decline, with his once-great mind consumed by his mental health issues. While Hughes’s brilliance led to groundbreaking advancements and set new standards in multiple industries, his story is also a cautionary tale of how even the most gifted minds can be overwhelmed by personal demons, ultimately leading to a tragic end.

Howard Hughes's IQ

159

How Did We Estimate Howard Hughes's IQ?

Average Confidence Level

Low

We derived Howard Hughes's approximative IQ from the following three sources: Geni, Geniuses and IQ-test.org.

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Geni

170 IQ

Geniuses

170 IQ

IQ-test.org

138 IQ

5 Reasons Why Howard Hughes Was Considered a Genius

High IQ Score: Howard Hughes was reported to have an IQ of 159, a figure that places him among the most intelligent individuals. It indicates a superior ability for problem-solving and abstract thinking.
Innovative Aircraft Designs: Hughes designed and flew the H-1 Racer, setting a speed record in 1935. His vision and intellect significantly contributed to advancements in aerospace with innovative aircraft designs.
Movie Production Breakthroughs: With films like 'Hell's Angels,' Hughes pushed the boundaries of filmmaking. He employed new techniques and technologies that proved his intellectual acuity and foresight in cinematic progress.
Record-Setting Aviator: Hughes set multiple aviation records, including the fastest flight around the world in 1938. These accomplishments demonstrated his skill as a pilot and his analytical mind in planning and executing the complex endeavor.
Medical Innovations: After a near-fatal plane crash, Hughes directed the creation of a new hospital bed to improve his own recovery, showing his capability to innovate for medical advancements despite having no formal training in the field.

Image by nan, used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 / Incorporated into an illustration

How Does Howard Hughes's IQ Compare to Other People?

With an IQ of 159, Howard Hughes was truly exceptional. This score placed him in the top 0.004% of the population, far exceeding the requirements for any of the most competitive high IQ societies. He would have easily met the standards for Mensa, Intertel, and the Triple Nine Society. While he was just below the threshold for the Epimetheus Society, his intelligence was still extraordinary.

Image by Acme Newspictures, Inc., used under Public Domain / Incorporated into an illustration

How Howard Hughes's IQ Stacks Up Against Other Business Figures

Howard Hughes, with an IQ of 159, was a brilliant mind who made major strides in both aviation and filmmaking. His intelligence is comparable to other great innovators who made significant contributions to their fields.

For instance, Steve Jobs had an IQ of 160, just a point above Hughes. Jobs's visionary leadership in technology transformed the digital world, showing that high intelligence can drive innovation in various industries. Similarly, Thomas Edison, with an IQ of 167, was a prolific inventor whose creations laid the foundation for much of the modern technology we use today, proving that inventive genius transcends time.

Sam Altman, with an IQ of 170, is close to Hughes in terms of intelligence. His work with OpenAI showcases his deep involvement in artificial intelligence, a field that is rapidly advancing and redefining technology's capabilities.

On the higher end of the spectrum, Walter O'Brien boasts an IQ of 197 and is the founder of Scorpion, a company known for solving complex technical problems, underscoring his exceptional problem-solving skills.

Then there's Vitalik Buterin, the Ethereum co-founder, whose IQ is estimated at 257. His groundbreaking work in blockchain technology has revolutionized digital transactions, showcasing an extraordinary level of intelligence that has reshaped an entire industry.

Illustration composed of multiple sources: images by RockSkater99 under CC BY-SA 4.0, TechCrunch under CC BY 2.0, WalterOBrienSCS on X under X, TechCrunch under CC BY 2.0, Boston Public Library under CC BY 2.0, Matt Yohe under CC BY-SA 3.0 / Incorporated into an illustration

Did you think Howard Hughes's IQ would be higher than 159? Let us know in the comments box section below!

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