Most well-known person alive

[Barnabas]

How famous are Pele or Maradona in the USA, or in India?

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by LordShiva


I'm not so sure about that. A good percentage of Indians, Africans, Malaysians, etc. probably have no idea who she is.

She's had way over 50 years of exposure. Someone in India who wouldn't recognise her likely wouldn't recognise Bush, Jackson, or any pope either.

/jumping to conclusions mode

[SlowwHand]

Pele is known.

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by notyoueither
She's had way over 50 years of exposure. Someone in India who wouldn't recognise her likely wouldn't recognise Bush, Jackson, or any pope either.

Most likely.

[notyoueither]

I'm likely more than a bit biased. When I went to school her portrait was in every classroom (earlier, that started to change while I was still in school). I shouldn't assume she has had the same exposure in India and places like Malaysia.

However, she has been a newsmaker for over 60 years. That's gotta help.

[LordShiva]

Well, 30-40% of Indians are illiterate, and many concern themselves pretty much exclusively with local news. While their newspapers may print a story or picture or two every now and then, it probably won't register any more than when an average American reads about some visiting head of state.

[LordShiva]

I'd say the best-known person in India is either Sachin Tendulkar (cricket player) or Amitabh Bachan (actor).

[notyoueither]

Of course there are going to be people in India who are more well known. The same would be true of everywhere for local celebrities. But add up all the people from everywhere who recognise Liz and I'd think she'd be a leader in the thread topic.

[LordShiva]

Right. I just don't think it's that many. She has no significance to the daily lives of the majority of the poor world. Don't forget the child demographic either. This would probably disqualify most politicians. I'd say a sportsman or artist has a better shot.

[notyoueither]

I have to diagree about an artist. Cultures are too fragmented by language, geography, and within by age. I can't see how an artist would have the recognition that a major world newsmaker would have. I'd take Bush over any artist.

Sportsman possibly, but it would have to be football to even be close. No other sport has the widespread following.

[notyoueither]

And then, how many Indians or Chinese would recognise Pele?

[GePap]

I would say Pele's face is far more famous than Elizabeth II's. Heck, princess Di might have a better known face then Elizabeth II. She might have been around for a while, but she has never had that big of a press presence, and that is what matters.

[SlowwHand]

I haven't a clue what Liz looks like, and no, don't post it. I don't care.

[Solly]

[Barnabas]

She is that woman who looks like a red cross in a white box