Marilyn vos Savant

Marilyn vos Savant (born August 11, 1946) is an American columnist, author, and former businesswoman famous for her extraordinarily high IQ, which has been estimated at 228 by some measures—claimed to be the highest recorded intelligence quotient. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, vos Savant studied philosophy and mathematics at Washington University. She rose to prominence as the author of the "Ask Marilyn" advice column in Parade Magazine, which has been syndicated in numerous newspapers with a readership in the millions. While her column addresses typical advice column topics, vos Savant became particularly famous in popular culture and academic circles for her discussions of logic puzzles, mathematical problems, and critical thinking. Her most famous contribution came in 1990 when she publicly presented and explained the solution to the Monty Hall problem, a probability puzzle that had stumped many mathematicians and led to significant public debate about probability theory. Though the solution was mathematically correct, her explanation generated controversy and thousands of letters from readers and academics who disagreed. Beyond her column, vos Savant has written numerous books on topics ranging from logic and reasoning to personal philosophy and ethics. She has also hosted a website featuring puzzles and brain-teasers. While her claim to the highest IQ has been questioned by some, vos Savant has remained a popular figure in popular science and critical thinking education, using her platform to promote rational thinking and intellectual engagement.