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The 20 most powerful Harvard graduates alive

Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the UN, earned an M.A. in public administration in 1985

The 20 most powerful Harvard graduates alive

Ben Bernanke, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, received a B.A. and later a M.A. in economics in 1975

Ben Bernanke, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, received a B.A. and later a M.A. in economics in 1975

Ben Bernake is the former chairman of the Federal Reserve, where his name was at the forefront in trying to solve the economic collapse. Now, he makes more money in a 40 minute speech than he did for a year's worth of work.

Lloyd Blankfein, CEO of Goldman Sachs, earned his B.A. in 1975 and his J.D. in 1978

Lloyd Blankfein, CEO of Goldman Sachs, earned his B.A. in 1975 and his J.D. in 1978

Goldman Sachs has $938 billion in assets, making it one of the financial superpowers of the world. Blankfein has been its CEO since 2006 and in 2014 was listed #27 on Forbes Magazine's List of The World's Most Powerful People.

Michael Bloomberg, former Mayor of New York City, received his M.B.A in 1966

Michael Bloomberg, former Mayor of New York City, received his M.B.A in 1966

The uber-wealthy, former three-term mayor of New York City changed how we all look at giant sodas. Hedge fund titan Bill Ackman recently predicted that Bloomberg will run for president of the United States — and win.

Stephen Breyer ('64)/Elana Kagan ('86)/Anthony Kennedy ('61)/Antonin Scalia ('60), Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States

Stephen Breyer (

Together, this group of Harvard graduates make up more than half of the US Supreme Court's associate justices, spanning the entire ideological spectrum.

Sylvia Mathews Burwell, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, received a B.A. in government in 1987

Sylvia Mathews Burwell, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, received a B.A. in government in 1987

Appointed Secretary of HHS in 2014, Burwell was previously Director of the Office of Management and Budget. She has also held high positions in large charities such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wal-mart Foundation. She graduated from Harvard cum laude.

Julian Castro, United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, received his J.D. in 2000

Julian Castro, United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, received his J.D. in 2000

Julian Castro was appointed Secretary of HUD in 2014 by President Obama. Prior to his appointment, he served as mayor of San Antonio, Texas. His political clout seems to be growing as he has been called out as a potential vice presidential candidate for Hillary Clinton.

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, graduated with an M.B.A in 1982

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, graduated with an M.B.A in 1982

Jamie Dimon is listed #18 on Forbes Magazine's List of The World's Most Powerful People and runs one of the largest banks in the world. He came under fire for getting a 74% raise in 2013 while JPMorgan had big lay-offs. Dimon was previously a director for the New York Federal Reserve.

Shaun Donovan, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, earned his B.A., and two M.A.s in architecture and public administration by 1995

Shaun Donovan, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, earned his B.A., and two M.A.s in architecture and public administration by 1995

Previously the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Donovan was sworn in as Director of the OMB in 2014, where he now oversees the federal budget and makes sure the administration is functioning effectively.

Ted Cruz, US Senator, graduated magna cum laude in 1995 with a J.D.

Ted Cruz, US Senator, graduated magna cum laude in 1995 with a J.D.

Cruz was elected to the US Senate in 2012, making him the first Hispanic to serve as US senator in Texas. Since he made his way to Washington, Cruz became a major face of the GOP during the 2013 government shutdown battle. Cruz recently threw his name into the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

Jeffrey Immelt, Chairman and CEO of General Electric, received an M.B.A. in 1982

Jeffrey Immelt, Chairman and CEO of General Electric, received an M.B.A. in 1982

General Electric is the ninth largest company in the world and Immelt has been running it for 15 years. He is currently in the midst of a massive restructuring for the company, selling off its financial services and pushing into software.

Jack Lew, Secretary of the Treasury, graduated with a B.A. in 1978

Jack Lew, Secretary of the Treasury, graduated with a B.A. in 1978

From his current Secretary of Treasury to to his former positions at Chief of Staff and Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Lew has held some pretty powerful positions. His loopy signature now graces newly circulated currency.

Bill O'Reilly, host of "The O'Reilly Factor," received a M.A. for public administration in 1996

Bill O

The controversial commentator has been the host of his popular eponymous cable news show since 1996. He's also written several best-selling, non-fiction books and has managed to turn his polarizing chatter into a full-blown brand.

Barack Obama, President of the United States, graduated with a J.D. magna cum laude in 1991

Barack Obama, President of the United States, graduated with a J.D. magna cum laude in 1991

He's ranked #2 on Forbes Most Powerful List. Oh, and he's the President of the United States.

Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States, earned her J.D. in 1988

Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States, earned her J.D. in 1988

She's the First Lady who wants the country's children to move. She's the head of the "Let's Move!" campaign which fights to combat childhood obesity and promotes healthy eating.

Samantha Power, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, received her J.D. in 1999

Samantha Power, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, received her J.D. in 1999

As the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Power has been known to make headlines by speaking for human rights, especially in cases against genocide.

Chief Justice John Roberts graduated with an B.A. in 1976 and a J.D. in 1979

Chief Justice John Roberts graduated with an B.A. in 1976 and a J.D. in 1979

Being a relatively young Chief Justice, Roberts will likely be able to shape and direct the court for many years to come. He has already written influential opinions on cases such as healthcare reform. Roberts graduated summa cum laude with his Bachelor's and magna cum laude with his Juris Doctor.

Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, graduated with an B.A. in economics in 1991

Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, graduated with an B.A. in economics in 1991

Facebook is one of the most widely used social mediums in the world and Sheryl Sandberg operates it — making her net worth more than $1 billion. Previously, Sandberg was Vice President of Global Online Sales and Operations at Google, and served as chief of staff for the United States Secretary of the Treasury. She graduated summa cum laude.

Stephen A. Schwarzman, CEO of Blackstone, earned his M.B.A in 1972

Stephen A. Schwarzman, CEO of Blackstone, earned his M.B.A in 1972

As the CEO of Blackstone, the private equity and financial advisory firm, Schwarzman made $690 million last year and is worth about $11.6 billion. The "King of Capital" recently spent a week in meetings with high-profile figures such as Pope Francis, President Obama, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia, earned a M.A. in public administration in 1971

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia, earned a M.A. in public administration in 1971

Johnson Sirleaf became the President of Liberia in 2006, subsequently becoming the world's first elected black female president and Africa's first elected female head of state. In 2011 she was awarded a shared Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts promoting Liberian reconciliation.


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