B.J. Habibie’s name is often associated with the label of a genius, with some even claiming that his intelligence surpassed that of Albert Einstein. In various popular writings, Habibie is said to have had an IQ score of 200, while Einstein’s IQ is estimated to have been between 160–190.

However, no scientific evidence or official record has ever confirmed this claim. No documents or test results have been found proving that Habibie actually scored 200 on an IQ test. In other words, this story is more of a myth than a fact.

Even so, it is undeniable that Habibie was an exceptionally intelligent person, with abilities well above the average. This can be clearly seen from the course of his life.

Long before entering politics, Habibie was already recognized as a brilliant scientist who brought pride to Indonesia on the global stage. He was one of the very few Indonesians who studied in Germany, specializing in aircraft construction at Technische Hochschule Aachen, West Germany.

During his studies there, the man born on June 25, 1936, achieved remarkable accomplishments that amazed Europeans. At one point, he sat for an entrance exam. When the results were announced, his name was nowhere to be found, and he assumed he had failed.

In reality, his name was not missing but was placed at the very top of the list, overlooked by many. Habibie had earned an almost perfect score of 10, far surpassing both his Indonesian peers and local students.

“From that moment on, their perception of Rudy (B.J. Habibie’s nickname), once thought of as less intelligent and unqualified, completely changed,” wrote Gina S. Noer in Rudy: Kisah Masa Muda Sang Visioner.

Beyond that, Habibie stood out as a rare intellectual talent. He obtained his diploma ingenieur in 1960, and six years later, in 1966, he earned his doktor ingenieur at the same university with the distinction of summa cum laude.

In his professional career, Habibie became involved in several aircraft design projects, including the Fokker F-28, Dornier DO-31, and Airbus A-300B. From these endeavors, he secured 46 patents, which brought him considerable wealth. One of his most notable contributions was the crack theory, which ensured aircraft would not easily break apart in flight. This groundbreaking work earned him the prestigious Von Karman Award in 1992, an honor comparable to the Nobel Prize.

Habibie’s brilliance also had a lasting impact in Indonesia. Historical records highlight his role as the intellectual force behind the introduction of multiple advanced technologies during his time as Minister of Research. From mobile phones, GSM networks, and the internet, to aircraft, all of these innovations were driven by his vision.

All these achievements point to one undeniable truth: Habibie was indeed a genius, even if his exact IQ score remains unknown.