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The Montessori approach has left a lasting impact on numerous individuals, both renowned and ordinary, inspiring them to perceive the world from a fresh perspective and to pursue their unique paths.
FAMOUS MontessoriANS
Montessori Students
- Anne Frank: Renowned for her diary, Anne Frank, a Jewish diarist during World War II, was educated in a Montessori school in Amsterdam before going into hiding.
- Larry Page and Sergey Brin: The co-founders of Google, Larry Page, and Sergey Brin, both attended Montessori schools, fostering their creativity and independent thinking.
- Jeff Bezos: Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos, credits his early Montessori education for encouraging him to think outside the box and fostering a passion for innovation.
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: The former First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, valued her Montessori education, emphasizing its role in developing her love for learning and curiosity.
- Julia Child: The iconic chef Julia Child attended a Montessori school, and her experiences are thought to have influenced her hands-on and experimental approach to cooking.
- Gabriel Garcia Marquez: Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez had a Montessori education, which some believe influenced his imaginative and magical realist writing style.
- Helen Hunt: Oscar-winning actress Helen Hunt credits her Montessori background for instilling independence and a love for learning.
- Yo Yo Ma: World-renowned cellist Yo Yo Ma attended a Montessori school, and his early exposure to diverse interests is said to have contributed to his exceptional musical career.
- Prince William and Prince Harry: Members of the British royal family, Prince William and Prince Harry, received early education in Montessori schools, fostering a sense of independence and curiosity.
- George Clooney: Actor and filmmaker George Clooney is often mentioned as having attended a Montessori school, contributing to his versatile and successful career.
- David Blaine: Illusionist and endurance artist David Blaine has been associated with Montessori education, which may have contributed to his innovative approach to magic and performance.
- Taylor Swift: Grammy-winning singer-songwriter.
- Beyoncé Knowles: Global icon known for her powerful vocals and performances.
- Dakota Fanning: Acclaimed actress
“Montessori taught me the joy of discovery…It showed you can become interested in pretty complex theories, like Pythagorean theory, say, by playing with blocks. It’s all about learning on your terms, rather than a teacher explaining stuff to you. SimCity comes right out of Montessori—if you give people this model for building cities, they will abstract from it principles of urban design. ” –Will Wright, Montessori Student and the creator of SimCity and The Sims video games
Famous People who chose Montessori for their Children
Famous People who chose Montessori for their Children
Famous People who chose Montessori for their Children
- Bill and Hillary Clinton: Former U.S. President and U.S. Secretary of State
- Jennifer Granholm: Former Governor of Michigan
- Patty Duke Austin: Academy Award-winning actress
- Yul Brynner: Legendary actor
- Cher: Iconic singer and actress
- Michael Douglas: Academy Award-winning actor
- Shari Lewis: Puppeteer and television host
- Susan St. James: Emmy Award-winning actress
- David Robinson: Former professional basketball player
- John Bradshaw: Psychologist and author
- Gordon Ramsay: Celebrity chef and author
- Tana Ramsay: Cookbook author and Montessori teacher
- Yo Yo Ma: Renowned cellist
- Willie Nelson: Legendary musician
“I do not believe there is a method better than Montessori for making children sensitive to the beauties of the world and awakening their curiosity regarding the secrets of life.” – Gabriel Garcia Marquez, former Montessori student & Nobel Laureate in Literature
Famous People with a Montessori Connection
Famous People who chose Montessori for their Children
Famous People who chose Montessori for their Children
- Helen Keller: Political activist, author, and lecturer, and her teacher, Anne Sullivan, corresponded with Maria Montessori about their similar educational approaches.
- Thomas Edison: Noted scientist and inventor, is reported to have helped found a Montessori school.
- President Woodrow Wilson: Woodrow Wilson's daughter trained as a Montessori teacher, and ran a Montessori classroom in the basement of the White House during Wilson's presidency.
- Erik Erikson: Anthropologist and author, had a Montessori teaching certificate.
- Jean Piaget: The Swiss psychologist, made his first observations of children in a Montessori school and was the head of the Swiss Montessori Society for many years.
- Alexander Graham Bell: Bell, along with his wife Mabel, founded the Montessori Education Association in 1913. They provided financial support to Dr. Maria Montessori and helped establish the first Montessori class in Canada and one of the first in the United States.