CelebList
Amartya Sen

Is Amartya Sen A-List?

NoB

NoAmartya Sen is currently ranked B tier — a well-known figure with a strong career but not quite a household name.

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Ranking Timeline

1959D$0.01M

Completes Cambridge PhD

Sen receives his doctorate from Cambridge University, beginning his academic career. As a young scholar, his net worth is negligible, limited to academic salary.

1972C$0.05M+$0.04M

Moves to London School

Sen accepts a professorship at the London School of Economics, establishing himself in Western academia. His work on social choice theory begins gaining recognition among economists.

1981C$0.15M+$0.09999999999999999M

Publishes Poverty and Famines

His groundbreaking work on famine causation challenges conventional wisdom, arguing famines result from entitlement failures, not food shortages. The book establishes him as a leading development economist.

1998B$0.5M+$0.35M

Wins Nobel Prize Economics

Sen receives the Nobel Prize for his contributions to welfare economics and poverty research. The prize elevates him to global prominence in academic circles and development policy.

2009B$0.75M+$0.25M

The Idea of Justice

Publication of his influential book on justice theory further cements his intellectual legacy. While not a mainstream celebrity, Sen is highly respected among intellectuals and policymakers worldwide.

2026B$1M+$0.25M

Elder Statesman of Economics

At 92, Sen remains an active scholar and public intellectual, though his influence is primarily confined to academic, policy, and intellectual circles. He is well-known and respected in his field but not a household name to the general public.

Last updated: February 24, 2026