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Princeton University boasts of its decades-long popularity, with over 100,000 graduates. It is an immense satisfaction to be accepted to Princeton and graduate. But what truly makes Princeton shine are the countless luminaries who have walked its campus, leaving indelible marks on the world stage. Princeton has produced some of the most appreciated international leaders. From trailblazing scientists to visionary politicians, Princeton University’s alumni reads like a who’s who of global influence. So join us as we explore some of Princeton’s most notable graduates, each with a story that’s as fascinating as it is inspiring. Want to know more about Princeton University? Check if you can make the cut by referring to this detailed guide to the University of Princeton! Discover the extraordinary individuals who have made it to the list of Princeton University’s notable alumni!
Top 50 Princeton University Notable Alumni
Princeton is one of the major Ivy League universities in the United States and is one of the universities with a low acceptance rate. Cutting this institution can be difficult. However, some gems have succeeded in the world. These are some of the Princeton University notable alumni you need to know!
Famous Princeton Alumni in Politics
1. Woodrow Wilson
Who they are: Writer, university teacher, academic, teacher, politician
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in 1875-1879
Woodrow Wilson was America’s 28th president and one of Princeton University’s famous graduates. As president from 1913 to 1921, he shook things up with new economic ideas and even led the United States into World War I.
2. Michelle Obama
Who they are: Lawyer, author, podcaster, writer, politician
Degree: B.A. in sociology in 1985
Not just the wife of former President Barack Obama – she’s a lawyer, author, and a Princeton University notable alumni. Michelle graduated with flying colors in 1985 with a degree in sociology and a minor in African American studies. Then, she took on Harvard Law School like a boss and that’s where she met Barack during her gig at a law firm called Sidley Austin.
3. John F. Kennedy
Who they are: Politician, author, military officer
Degree: Class of 1939
John F. Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. Known for his charismatic leadership, he championed civil rights, launched the Peace Corps, and faced significant challenges during the Cold War, including the Cuban Missile Crisis.
4. George F. Kennan
Who they are: University teacher, historian, writer, politician, political scientist
Degree: B.A. degree in 1925
George F. Kennan was all about keeping the Soviet Union in check during the Cold War, preaching a strategy called “containment.” Kennan wasn’t just into politics – he loved sharing his wisdom through lectures and writing awesome books about the USA-USSR relationship. He was a true legend in shaping how the world dealt with some major Cold War drama and now is considered one of Princeton University’s notable alumni!
5. Aaron Burr
Who they are: Lawyer, politician, military officer, jurist better
Degree: Bachelor of Arts degree in 1772
Aaron Burr is one of the Princeton University’s notable alumni and a real jack-of-all-trades! Not only was he a politician, but also a businessman, lawyer, and even a Founding Father of the United States. What’s more interesting is that he was admitted to the university at 13 as a sophomore. No wonder he’s considered as one of the Princeton University’s notable alumni.
6. James Baker
Who they are: Lawyer, politician, military officer, diplomat
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, 1952
The next person on the list of famous alumni of Princeton University is James Baker III, a real powerhouse in American politics! Baker’s been a key player in both Reagan and Bush’s administrations, serving as Chief of Staff and Secretary of State. He is a true Princeton University notable alumni and a legend in the world of diplomacy and statesmanship!
7. Donald Rumsfeld
Who they are: Defence minister, civil servant, business person, politician, author
Degree: BA in Political Science, 1954
This Princeton University notable alumni didn’t just dabble in one thing. From serving as the youngest and oldest Secretary of Defense under Presidents Ford and Bush to be a Congressman, director, counselor, and even Chief of Staff at the White House, he did it all! This true master of multitasking in the world of politics and business surely cuts the Princeton University alumni list!
8. James Madison
Who they are: Politician, writer, lawyer, diplomat, philosopher
Degree: Studies Hebrew and philosophy in 1771
He wasn’t just the fourth President of the United States from 1809 to 1817. Princeton University’s notable alumni were also the brains behind the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Yep, they even called him the “Father of the Constitution” because of his epic role in making sure everything was A-OK with the laws of the land.
9. Ted Cruz
Who they are: Politician, lawyer, law clerk
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, 1992
Since 2013, Rafael Edward Cruz, an American politician, lawyer, and political analyst, has represented Texas as the junior US senator. Cruz, a Republican, served as Texas’s solicitor general from 2003 to 2008. Graduating in 1992, Ted Cruz definitely makes the list of Famous Princeton Grads.
10. Sonia Sotomayor
Who they are: Judge, lawyer, prosecutor, politician
Degree: B.A in History, 1976
Associate Justice Sonia Maria Sotomayor is an American lawyer and judge who works for the US Supreme Court. President Barack Obama nominated her on May 26, 2009, and she began serving on August 8, 2009. She joins the ranks of the Supreme Court as the third woman, first Hispanic woman, the first woman of color, and first Latina, making her one of Princeton University’s notable alumni.
11. David Petraeus
Who they are: Politician, military officer
Degree: Ph.D. in International Relations, 1987
David Howell Petraeus, famous alumni of Princeton University and former general from the US Army. He took office on September 6, 2011, and was the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency until his retirement on November 9, 2012. His final postings in the Army were from July 4, 2010, to July 18, 2011, as commander of the U.S. Forces in Afghanistan (USFOR-A) and commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). As commander of MNF-I, Petraeus oversaw all coalition forces in Iraq.
12. Syngman Rhee
Who they are: Politician, journalist
Degree: Ph.D. in Political Science, 1910
From 1948 until 1960, politician Syngman Rhee presided over South Korea as its first president. In addition, Rhee presided over the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea as its first and last president from 1919 until his impeachment in 1925 and from 1947 to 1948, making him one of the famous Princeton grads.
13. Jerome Powell
Who they are: Politician, lawyer, investment banker
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, 1975
The 16th chair of the Federal Reserve has been an American lawyer and investment banker, also famous alumni of Princeton University, Jerome Hayden “Jay” Powell since 2018. With a background in finance and economics, he is a key figure in determining how the US would set its monetary policy and deal with issues like inflation and the recovery of the economy after the COVID-19 epidemic.
14. John Rawls
Who they are: Politician, philosopher, university teacher
Degree: Doctorate in Philosophy, 1950
American moral, legal, and political philosopher John Bordley Rawls belonged to the modern liberal tradition. Rawls has been described as one of the twentieth century’s most prominent political thinkers and a Princeton University famous alumni.
15. Pedro Pablo Kuczynski
Who they are: Politician, banker, economist
Degree: Master in Public Administration, 1961
Pedro Pablo Kuczynski Godard (PPK) among Princeton University’s famous graduates is a Peruvian economist, public administrator, and former politician who served as the 59th President of Peru from 2016 to 2018. During Alejandro Toledo’s presidency, he was Peru’s Prime Minister as well as Minister of Economy and Finance.
Famous Princeton Alumni in Business
16. Jeff Bezos
Who they are: Entrepreneur, computer scientist, and commercial astronaut
Degree: Bachelor of Science, 1986
CEO, entrepreneur, born in 1964, Jeffrey Bezos, the mastermind behind Amazon! This guy isn’t just any businessman – he runs the world’s biggest online store. With his savvy moves, he’s built a mega-empire in e-commerce and cloud computing. According to the money gurus at Bloomberg and Forbes, he even held the title of world’s richest from 2017 to 2021. No wonder he’s considered as one of the famous alumni of Princeton University.
17. Lachlan Murdoch
Who they are: Entrepreneur
Degree: Bachelor of Philosophy, 1994
Australian-British-American businessman Lachlan Keith Murdoch is the heir apparent to the mass media empire. In addition to being the creator of the Australian investment firm Illyria Pty Ltd, he also serves as the executive chairman of Fox Corporation, chairman of News Corp, and executive chairman of Nova Entertainment.
19. Timothy Ferriss
Who they are: Entrepreneur, investor, writer
Degree: BA in East Asian studies, 2000
American author, podcaster, investor, entrepreneur, lifestyle expert, and one of Princeton University’s famous graduates Timothy Ferriss. He rose to fame with his 4-Hour self-help book series, which concentrated on optimizing one’s lifestyle and included The 4-Hour Work Week, The 4-Hour Body, and The 4-Hour Chef. However, he has subsequently rethought this strategy.
20. Jared Polis
Who they are: Entrepreneur, politician
Degree: BA in political science, 1996
Jared Schutz Polis is an American politician, businessman, and philanthropist serving as the 43rd governor of Colorado since 2019.
21. Chai Ling
Who they are: Entrepreneur, human rights activist
Degree: M.L.A. in Public Affairs, 1994
Chinese businesswoman and psychologist Chai Ling was a student leader in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. She was a spokesperson for the protest movement’s hardline side, and according to the documentary Gate of Heavenly Peace, she had said that the group’s objective was to incite the government to use force against the unarmed students.
22. Stockton Rush
Who they are: Entrepreneur
Degree: B.E in aerospace engineering, 1984
American businessman and engineer Richard Stockton Rush III is most recognized for being the co-founder and CEO of the deep-sea exploration firm OceanGate.
22. Edoardo Agnelli
Who they are: Entrepreneur
Degree: Comparative Religion, 1984
The only child and eldest child of Gianni Agnelli, the industrialist patriarch of Fiat S.p.A., and Marella Agnelli, née Donna Marella Caracciolo di Castagneto, was Edoardo Agnelli, also a Princeton University notable university.
23. Larry Kudlow
Who they are: Entrepreneur, writer, economist
Degree: Master’s in International Affairs, 1971
Larry Kudlow is a famous Princeton alumni, conservative television news analyst, journalist, and radio host. In addition to being a financial news analyst for Fox Business, he was the Trump Administration’s Director of the National Economic Council from 2018 to 2021.
24. MacKenzie Scott
Who they are: Entrepreneur, novelist
Degree: B.A. in English, 1992
MacKenzie Scott, a famous Princeton alumni is also a philanthropist and novelist from America. With a net worth of US$40.6 billion as of January 2024, she owns 4% of Amazon, the business that her ex-husband Jeff Bezos started. Scott is therefore the 47th wealthiest person in the world and the third wealthiest woman in the United States.
25. Carl Icahn
Who they are: Entrepreneur, stockbroker
Degree: BA in Philosophy, 1957
American investor, philanthropist, and businessman Carl Celian Icahn. Icahn Enterprises is a publicly traded conglomerate holding company with a diverse portfolio that is headquartered in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida. This famous Princeton grad founded the company and is its primary shareholder.
26. Lee Lacocca
Who they are: Entrepreneur, writer
Degree: Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, 1946
American auto executive Lido Anthony “Lee” Iacocca is most known for developing the Ford Mustang, Ford Pinto, and Continental Mark III vehicles while working for the Ford Motor Company in the 1960s and for leading the Chrysler Corporation back to life as its CEO in the 1980s. Lee is also one of the most famous alumni of Princeton University.
27. William Clay Ford
Who they are: Entrepreneur, Athlete
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, 1979
Apart from being a famous Princeton alumni, William Clay Ford Jr. is the executive chair of Ford Motor Company. Ford, a great-grandson of Henry Ford, the company’s founder, joined the board in 1988 and has chaired it since January 1999. Prior to handing over those responsibilities to veteran Boeing executive Alan Mulally in September 2006, Ford also held the positions of president, CEO, and COO.
Famous Princeton Alumni in Science and Technology
28. Alan Turning
Who they are: Father of computer science
Degree: Ph.D. in mathematics, 1983
Alan Turing, the genius of Princeton University’s notable alumni. He was not just a mathematician; he was also a computer scientist and logician and even dabbled in philosophy and biology. Turing left his mark big time in the computer world, cooking up the idea of a Turing machine – like the OG computer model. Alan Turing – a real superhero in the world of brains and machines and one of the Princeton University notable alumni!
29. John Forbes Nash
Who they are: Economist, mathematician
Degree: Doctorate in Economics, 1983
John Forbes Nash, Jr., a.k.a. John Nash, was an American mathematician who made significant advances in differential geometry, game theory, real algebraic geometry, and partial differential equations. In 1994, Nash shared the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics with two other game theorists, John Harsanyi and Reinhard Selten.
30. Richard Feynman
Who they are: Quantum physicist, percussionist, author, science
Degree: A Doctorate in Physics,1942
This brilliant physicist with a knack for making complicated stuff sound simple and makes the list of Princeton University notable alumni! He was a big deal in the world of physics, especially in areas like quantum mechanics and superfluidity. His genius even earned him a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965, along with a couple of other geniuses.
31. Terence Tao
Who they are: Mathematician, professor
Degree: Doctorate in Philosophy, 1996
Mathematician Terence Chi-Shen Tao hails from Australia. He holds the James and Carol Collins chair in mathematics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In 2006, Tao received a Fields Medal for his groundbreaking research in mathematics.
32. Nambi Narayanan
Who they are: Aerospace engineer, chemical engineer
Degree: Chemical rocket propulsion, 1969
Nambi Narayanan is an Indian aerospace scientist who worked for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). As a senior official at the ISRO, he was briefly in charge of the cryogenics division. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in March 2019, making him one of Princeton University’s notable alumni.
33. Kip S. Thorne
Who they are: Astrophysicist, astronomer, writer
Degree: Doctorate in Physics, 1965
American theoretical physicist Kip Stephen Thorne is renowned for his contributions to astrophysics and gravitational physics. He shared the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics with Rainer Weiss and Barry C. Barish in recognition of his work on the LIGO detector and the detection of gravitational waves.
34. Edward Witten
Who they are: Theoretical physicist, mathematician, professor
Degree: Ph.D. in Physics, 1976
American mathematical and theoretical physicist Edward Witten was born. Witten studies supersymmetric quantum field theories, string theory, quantum gravity, and other branches of mathematical physics. He was the first physicist to receive the International Mathematical Union’s Fields Medal in 1990 in recognition of his contributions to physics through mathematics, making him one of the famous Princeton alumni.
35. Gita Gopinath
Who they are: Economist
Degree: Doctorate in Philosophy, 2001
Since January 21, 2022, Indian-American economist Gita Gopinath has held the position of first deputy managing director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). She had previously worked for the IMF from 2019 to 2022 as chief economist.
36. Marvin Minsky
Who they are: Computer Scientist
Degree: Doctorate in Mathematics, 1954
American cognitive and computer scientist Marvin Lee Minsky co-founded the artificial intelligence (AI) lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, wrote multiple books on AI and was primarily interested in studying artificial intelligence (AI).
Famous Princeton Alumni in Arts and Entertainment
37. Jimmy Stewart
Who they are: American film actor
Degree: B.A. in architecture in 1929
He is one of America’s legendary actors and Princeton University’s famous alumni! Born on May 20, 1908, he wasn’t just a Hollywood star—he was also a hero in World War II, being the first big-time actor to serve in the military. You might know him from iconic films like “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “It’s A Wonderful Life,” and “The Philadelphia Story.”
38. Dean Cain
Who they are: Actor
Degree: B.A. in History, 1988
Princeton University’s notable alumni is an American actor who once rocked the Superman suit on the TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman from 1993 to 1997. But that’s not all – he also hosted “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” and showed off his acting skills in the sports drama series Hit the Floor. Figures he’s one of the Princeton University’s notable alumni.
39. Wentworth Miller
Who they are: American-British actor, model and screenwriter
Degree: B.A. in English, 1995
This Princeton University’s notable alumni, you might know him best as Michael Scofield from the hit show Prison Break. Did you know he even got nominated for a Golden Globe because of it? Wentworth’s not just about acting; he’s a screenwriter, too. In 2013, he made his debut with the thriller film Stoker. Plus, he was on The CW series The Flash as Leonard Snart, aka Captain Cold, and later as a regular on the spin-off Legends of Tomorrow.
40. Steve Forbes
Who they are: American publisher and executive
Degree: B.A. in American History, 1970
The brains behind Forbes Magazine is also one of Princeton University’s notable alumni! He’s dipped his toes in politics, too, running for the Republican nomination for president not once but twice! Steve’s journey in publishing started as a researcher for Forbes magazine, which was actually run by his dad back then. Steve Forbes has made his mark in publishing, politics, and as a Princeton University famous graduate!
41. Bob Bradley
Who they are: Sporting Director, association football manager
Degree: B.A. in History, 1980
Robert Frank Bradley is an American soccer coach who is currently the manager of the Norwegian club Stabæk. Bob Bradley is the current head coach of the club since taking over for the 2023 season.
42. Jodi Picoult
Who they are: Novelist, writer, editor
Degree: B.A. in Creative Writing, 1987
Author Jodi Lynn Picoult hails from America. In addition to her many published short stories, Picoult is the author of 28 novels and multiple Wonder Woman issues. Her books are available in print in almost 40 million copies worldwide in 34 different languages. In 2003, she received the New England Bookseller Award for fiction, making her one of Princeton University’s notable alumni.
43. Craig Mazin
Who they are: Film director, podcaster, screenplay writer
Degree: B.A. in Psychology, 1992
Director, producer, and screenwriter Craig Mazin is among Princeton University’s famous graduates. His most well-known works include co-creating, co-writing, and executive producing the HBO series The Last of Us (2023–present), which he produced with Neil Druckmann, and the HBO miniseries Chernobyl (2019). Two Primetime Emmy Awards have been bestowed upon him.
44. David Blatt
Who they are: Basketball player, Basketball coach
Degree: B.A. in English, 1981
David Michael Blatt is an Israeli-American professional basketball executive. He is also a former coach and player. Blatt played point guard at Princeton University from 1977 to 1981 and played in the Maccabiah Games for the U.S. national team that won a gold medal in 1981.
45. Mark Feuerstein
Who they are: Actor
Degree: B.A. in Theatre Studies, 1983
Actor Mark Feuerstein hails from America. He played the main character’s new lover in a number of early, recurrent roles on Caroline in the City. He later became well-known for a cameo in an episode of Sex and the City’s second season.
46. Moe Berg
Who they are: Baseball player, spy
Degree: B.A. in History, 1983
Morris Berg was a Major League Baseball coach and catcher from the United States who later worked as an operative for the Office of Strategic Services in World War II. Berg was a mediocre player for four American League teams over his fifteen seasons in the major leagues; he was more recognized as “the brainiest guy in baseball”, also a testament to him being a Princeton University notable alumni.
47. Pete Hegseth
Who they are: Writer, TV presenter, basketball player
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, 2003
Peter Brian Hegseth is an American Fox News Channel presenter. Peter Brian Hegseth is also an American television host and author also known for his career in Basketball.
48. Jesse Marsch
Who they are: Football player, football coach
Degree: B.A. in American History, 1996
American professional soccer coach Jesse Alan Marsch a famous Princeton alumni, and a former player, most recently served as Leeds United’s manager. Marsch spent 14 seasons in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a midfielder for D.C. United, Chicago Fire, and Chivas USA. He earned two caps for the US national team in addition to three league titles and four U.S. Open Cup victories.
49. Michael Lewis
Who they are: Writer, journalist
Degree: B.A. in Archaeology, 1982
American financial writer and author Michael Monroe Lewis is also a famous alumni of Princeton University. Since 2009, he has also contributed to Vanity Fair as an editor, specializing in business, finance, and economics writing. He is well-known for his non-fiction writing, especially the pieces he wrote about behavioral finance and financial crises.
50. Wayne Rogers
Who they are: Actor, investor, military officer
Degree: B.A. in History, 1954
American actor William Wayne McMillan Rogers III was best known for his roles as Dr. Charley Michaels on House Calls and Captain “Trapper” John McIntyre on the CBS television series M*A*S*H.
Princeton University has produced an impressive array of notable alumni who have made significant contributions across various fields, from politics to the arts. Their achievements not only reflect the university’s commitment to excellence but also inspire future generations to strive for greatness. As we celebrate these distinguished individuals, we are reminded of the lasting impact of a Princeton education. These are the top 50 Princeton University notable alumni you need to know and this is your chance to make it to this Princeton University alumni list!