Matthieu Ricard

Religious Leader

Birthday February 15, 1946

Birth Sign Aquarius

Birthplace Aix-les-Bains, France

Age 78 years old

#119210 Most Popular

About

Buddhist monk, writer and humanitarian who became known as one of the world's leading minds on the subject of happiness. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including Happiness (2006), Why Meditate? (2010) and An Ode to Beauty (2016). 

Before Fame

He received a PhD in molecular genetics from the Pasteur Institute. He later abandoned his scientific career to devote himself to Buddhism in the Himalayas. 

Trivia

He has been called "the happiest man in the world" by several media outlets due to the results of a 12-year brain study in which he participated. 

Family Life

He is the son of French philosopher Jean-François Revel and painter Yahne Le Toumelin. 

Associated With

He has served as the French interpreter for the Dalai Lama.