From Mark Zuckerberg to Barack Obama: 7 Harvard alumni who shaped global history

3 weeks ago 35

 7 Harvard alumni who shaped global history

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg turned into a meme-worthy highlight on rival platform X after Meta-owned platforms experienced a significant outage on Wednesday.

When it comes to higher education, one name stands out in the minds of many—Harvard University. The mere mention of studying at Harvard commands respect and admiration. For decades, the institution has consistently proven why it remains one of the best universities in the world. As per the QS World University Rankings 2025, Harvard holds the 4th spot globally and 2nd place in the U.S.

with an impressive overall score of 96.8. Similarly, in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, Harvard ranks 3rd globally and 2nd in the U.S. with an outstanding score of 97.7. For centuries, Harvard has been a breeding ground for visionaries, trailblazers, and change-makers. From politics to technology, its alumni have redefined industries and rewritten history. In this piece, we spotlight seven iconic Harvard graduates whose influence continues to resonate across the globe.

Mark Zuckerberg

No list of

famous Harvard alumni

would be complete without Mark Zuckerberg. In 2002, Zuckerberg enrolled at Harvard, only to leave in 2005 to focus on his brainchild, Facebook. What started as a social networking project in a dorm room is now one of the largest platforms in the world.

Barack Obama

Barack Obama, one of Harvard's most renowned alumni, enrolled at Harvard Law School in 1988. He made history by becoming the president of the prestigious Harvard Law Review for the academic year 1990-1991. In 2009, Obama became the 44th President of the United States, serving two terms from 2009 to 2017.

William Henry Gates

Next on the list is William Henry Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft. Gates enrolled at Harvard in the autumn of 1973 but left after two years, choosing to pursue his entrepreneurial passion. He took graduate-level mathematics and computer science courses before leaving to create one of the world’s largest technology companies.

Natalie Portman

Hollywood icon and Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman also attended Harvard. She joined the university in 1999 and graduated in 2003 with a degree in psychology. Known for her roles in Black Swan, Jackie, and Annihilation, Portman has become a global star who continues to inspire.

Matt Damon

Another Hollywood A-lister, Matt Damon, briefly attended Harvard in 1988 to pursue an English major. However, after starring in the 1990 television film Rising Son, Damon left to pursue his acting career. He has since become a celebrated actor known for films such as Good Will Hunting, The Martian, and Ocean’s Eleven.

Ratan Tata

Ratan Tata, the former chairman of Tata Group, is an iconic business leader who helped elevate the conglomerate to a global powerhouse. He joined Harvard Business School in 1975 for the Advanced Management Program, which played a pivotal role in shaping his leadership and vision for the Tata Group.

John F. Kennedy

Finally, we have John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States and one of the most beloved figures in American history. Kennedy attended Harvard from 1936 to 1940, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. His presidency, though tragically cut short by assassination, has left a lasting legacy, particularly through his vision and leadership during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the space race.

Read Entire Article