Top 10 famous refugees of the world

New Delhi: They were thrown out of their countries on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because they are a member of a persecuted 'social group' or because they are fleeing a war.But they did not give up and made a successful mark even outside their native country. Here are 10 such personalities: 1. Albert Einstein, physicist The greatest intellectual of all times, Einstein was born in Germany. He had been a professor at the Berlin Academy of Sciences until he was forced to flee when Hitler came to power. He then went to US and obtained US citizenship. 2. The Dalai Lama, religious leader During the 1959 Tibetan uprising, Dalai Lama fled to India and settled in the northern town of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala. It is now called the Mini Tibet of India. The Nobel Prize winner has transformed the city into a religious and spiritual place preaching Buddhism. 3. Wyclef Jean, musician A Haitian, Jean had to move to USA at the age of nine. His music is still inspired by the refugee life. His hip hop group ‘Fugees' gained popularity which is based on refugees.He is very much fond of his native place and keeps on tweeting about it. He was very active in Haiti quake relief. On August 5, 2010, Jean filed for candidacy in the 2010 Haitian presidential election. 4. Alek Wek, fashion model The first African model to be launched on the cover of Elle Magazine, her career journey was not easy. She belongs to South Sudan and had to move to UK at the age of 14 due to a civil war. The family had to face many hardships and hurdles during that period. Her father died due to haemorrhage. But she did not give up and struggled to become the first successful African model.5. Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State The American top diplomat was born in Germany and was forced to flee under the Nazi rule. He played a prominent role in United States foreign policy between 1969 and 1977. During this period, he pioneered the policy of détente with the Soviet Union, orchestrated the opening of relations with the People's Republic of China, and negotiated the Paris Peace Accords, ending American involvement in the Vietnam War. 6. Marlene Dietrich, actress Listed among the top ten female stars of all time by the American film institute, Marlene fled Nazi Germany and moved to US in 1939. She gained international acclaim as the cabaret singer Lola-Lola in the 1930 film The Blue Angel. 7. M.I.A., musician The famous rapper was born to Tamil parents in Sri Lanka but had to flee their country following the civil war. They then moved to London when she was 11. Her career moved to heights in 2004 her singles "Sunshowers" and "Galang", charting in the UK and Canada and reaching number 11 on the Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales in the US. 8. Sigmund Freud, psychoanalystThe father of psychoanalysis, he is best known for his work on the unconscious and a short-lived belief in the healing powers of cocaine. He spent most of his life in Vienna, as part of the city's rich pre-Nazi Jewish intellectual community, but was forced to flee in 1938. His four sisters died in concentration camps. He then moved to Austria.9. Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of StateThe first woman to head the State Department was born in Prague. Albright's parents converted from Judaism to Roman Catholicism before they fled to London ahead of World War II. Albright even starred as a child refugee in a wartime film aimed at promoting sympathy for all war refugees in London.She now lives in Czechoslovakia. 10. Nadia Comaneci, Olympic gymnast One of the best known gymnasts in the world, Nadia was the first female gymnast to score a perfect 10 in an Olympic gymnastic event. She also won two gold medals at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.Comăneci successfully defended her European all-around title in 1977, but when questions about the scoring were raised, Ceaușescu ordered the Romanian gymnasts to return home. The team followed orders and controversially walked out of the competition during the event finals.