Migrating from one part of the world to another, for economic opportunities, to escape persecution or just in the spirit of adventure has been part of human history since its very beginnings. Some migrants have met with great success in their new environs. Some, frankly, haven’t.
Now EasyESTA, a website which helps would be migrants to the United States through the application process for a US Electronic System for Travel Authorization, has compiled a chart which attempts to rank the most successful and influential migrants in history.
Black Swan star Natalie Portman has been listed as one of the top 25 most influential and successful migrants of all time, according to easyEsta’s survey. The ranking was based on a long-list of celebrities with notable achievements and migrant ties and then fine-tuned with social media reaction.
Portman made the prestigious list for her lifetime achievements - the awards she has won due to her acting as well as her charitable work including her position as an Ambassador of Hope for FINCA International, an organisation that helps finance women-owned businesses in developing countries. Her open letter to Harvard University demanding it divest its endowment from coal, gas and oil companies also contributed to her inclusion.
A scattering of other Jewish luminaries cropped up on the list, including Joseph Pulitzer and Harry Houdini.
A spokesperson from easyESTA said:
“Culture is incredibly important to us at easyESTA, we commissioned this study to better understand the significance of migration and how migration has positively impacted on different industries.
“The research surprised us with how diverse people really are. We gained insight into the migrants’ physical and metaphorical journeys. By understanding the cultures that have influenced the migrants’ lives, a new meaning has been added to their legacies.”
