Celebrities IQ

What Is Marilyn vos Savant's IQ?

By Samantha Davis
Psychology Writer
Published on August 08, 2024 | Updated on December 01, 2024

Image by Marilyn vos Savant's twitter, used under None specified / Incorporated into an illustration

Marilyn vos Savant's IQ Is 228

Marilyn vos Savant is famous for having one of the highest recorded IQs ever, with a score of 228, which was recognized by the Guinness World Records from 1986 to 1989. She gained widespread attention through her "Ask Marilyn" column in Parade magazine, where she answers various questions, from logical puzzles to practical advice. Her clear and thoughtful answers in the column have made her a well-known figure.

Born in 1946 in St. Louis, Missouri, vos Savant showed her genius early. At 10 years old, she scored 228 on the Hoeflin's Mega IQ test, which led to her being recognized by the Guinness World Records. Despite this early fame, she stayed grounded, working in her parents' store and enjoying reading.

Vos Savant's "Ask Marilyn" column has often included famous problems like the Monty Hall problem, which she explained in a way that even surprised mathematicians. Her logical approach to this problem showed her ability to make complex ideas easy to understand. Her explanation received thousands of letters, some critical, but she was proven right.

In addition to her column, vos Savant is also an author of fiction and non-fiction books and has been involved in investment ventures. She has contributed to discussions on critical thinking, ethics, and human intelligence. Her mix of intelligence and insight has made her a respected figure in the world of intellectual achievement.

Marilyn vos Savant's IQ

228

Marilyn vos Savant's IQ of 228: Description of Our Methodology

Average Confidence Level

High

The average IQ of Marilyn vos Savant comes from Encyclopedia.com and is deemed reliable. The scores from two other sources are provided for reference.

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Encyclopedia.com

228 IQ

All That’s Interesting

228 IQ

MentalFloss

228 IQ

5 Life Achievements That Show How Smart Marilyn vos Savant Is

Highest Recorded IQ: Marilyn vos Savant gained worldwide recognition for her remarkable IQ of 228. This was the highest ever recorded at the time, according to the Guinness World Records. While she held this title from 1986-1989, being the last person to hold this record. The category was discontinued in 1990 when questions were brought up about the rigidity of IQ tests in measuring intelligence.
Famous Columnist: Through her 'Ask Marilyn' column in Parade magazine, she addresses complex queries and logical puzzles. Her work demonstrates her exceptional intelligence and analytical skills.
Monty Hall Problem: Vos Savant is credited with popularizing the Monty Hall problem, providing a counterintuitive solution that sparked widespread discussion and verified by computer simulations.
Advocate for Education: She consistently emphasizes the importance of education and critical thinking, using her platform to inspire a love for learning and an appreciation for the complexities of knowledge.
Authored Several Books: Marilyn vos Savant has authored books that reflect on her experiences and insights into intelligence, logic, and philosophy, further proving her extensive intellectual capabilities.

Image by Don Giller on YouTube, used under YouTube / Incorporated into an illustration

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How Does Marilyn vos Savant's IQ Compare to the Rest of the World?

Marilyn vos Savant's IQ of 228 is an extraordinary number that far exceeds the requirements for the most competitive high-IQ societies. Mensa, which accepts individuals with an IQ of 130 (or 132 if you're using a standard deviation of 16), representing the top 2% of thinkers, is nearly a hundred points below vos Savant's score. Even more exclusive groups, like Intertel and the Triple Nine Society, require scores of 135 and 146, respectively, yet still fall significantly short of Marilyn's IQ. The Epimetheus Society, aimed at the ultra-intelligent with a threshold of 160, targeting the top 0.003%, also pales in comparison.

Image by Marilyn vos Savant's twitter / Incorporated into an illustration

Ranking Marilyn vos Savant's IQ Among Public Figures

Marilyn vos Savant, with her IQ of 228, is a standout in the world of smart people. But when you look at William James Sidis's estimated IQ of 275, the bar for genius goes even higher. Sidis was a child prodigy who amazed everyone with his talents in many areas.

Christopher Michael Langan's IQ of 200 shows a different path to brilliance. Known as "the smartest man in America," Langan is mostly self-taught and challenges what we think about education and intelligence.

Then there's Ken Jennings, with his IQ of 173. Jennings wowed everyone with his record-breaking run on "Jeopardy!" proving that knowing a lot of random facts can make you a TV star and maybe even the hero of trivia night.

In a different world, Kim Kardashian's IQ of 165 grabs attention. She’s used her smarts to build a huge business empire, showing that brains and reality TV can go hand in hand.

Cindy Crawford, with an IQ of 154, moved from supermodel to successful businesswoman. She proves that being smart is useful in any job, even if it involves walking down a runway in high heels.

Illustration composed of multiple sources: images by rellymath under CC BY-SA 2.0, The Sidis Archives under Public Domain, rellymath under CC BY-SA 2.0, pasquinade under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, Eva Rinaldi Celebrity Photographer under CC BY-SA 2.0, Ibsan73 under CC BY-SA 2.0 / Incorporated into an illustration

How does Marilyn vos Savant's IQ compare to expectations? Let's debate in the comments box section below! Scroll down a bit.

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