Celebrity Info
Marilyn, the one-time Guinness Book of World Records titleholder for the highest recorded IQ, has certainly led an extraordinary life. Back when she was just ten years old, Marilyn received an astonishing IQ score of 228—a number that would set the stage for her remarkable future. Born as Marilyn Mach in St. Louis, Missouri, she grew up in a family shaped by German and Italian immigrant roots, which undoubtedly influenced her early experiences.
As a young woman, Marilyn made the bold decision to leave Washington University in St. Louis to help manage her family’s investment business—an early sign of her practical intelligence and independence. Then, in 1986, Marilyn launched her widely popular “Ask Marilyn” column in Parade magazine, a weekly feature that quickly gained national attention and solidified her status as a public intellectual. Oh, and fun fact—she got married for the first time when she was only sixteen, which adds another intriguing layer to her already fascinating story. Over the years, Marilyn has remained a compelling figure, not just because of her intellect, but because of the unique path she’s taken from childhood prodigy to trusted advice columnist.
In one of her most well-known columns, she tackled the famous “Monty Hall” problem, offering a clear and insightful explanation. She walked readers through the scenario: you’re presented with three doors, behind one of which is a prize. After you make your initial choice, one of the other two doors—revealing no prize—is opened. Here’s where it gets interesting: she emphasized that, counterintuitively, it actually pays to switch your choice to the remaining unopened door. Her analysis not only clarified the math behind the probabilities but also sparked widespread discussion. It was just one example of how she consistently made complex ideas accessible, using logic and reasoning in a way that resonated with so many. Her approach demonstrated why her voice became such a trusted presence in popular science writing.
