When Adhara Pérez was just three years old, she was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome—a developmental disorder on the autism spectrum. Early on, she faced harsh bullying from classmates who didn’t understand her condition. But what her parents discovered during therapy turned everything around: Adhara had an IQ score of 162—higher than the estimated scores of legendary geniuses like Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.
Adhara’s journey hasn’t been easy. As a young girl, she struggled with social interactions, often feeling out of place among her peers. In school, she was cruelly mocked and called names like “weirdo” and “oddball.” Her mother, Nallely Sánchez, vividly recalls one heartbreaking moment when other children locked Adhara in a playhouse and taunted her while banging on the walls. That experience deeply affected Adhara and pushed her into a state of depression where she refused to attend school.
Her teachers noticed she wasn’t engaged in class. She would sleep through lessons or show no interest in participating. Concerned about her well-being and convinced the traditional school system wasn’t the right fit, her mother took her to see a therapist. Despite facing financial hardships, Nallely was determined to give Adhara every opportunity to succeed. With professional guidance, they found a specialized learning program that better suited Adhara’s extraordinary talents.
Once placed in the right environment, Adhara thrived. She completed elementary school by age five, middle school at six, and graduated high school by eight. Now, at only twelve years old, she’s pursuing two college degrees online—one in systems engineering and the other in industrial engineering with a focus on mathematics. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, she’s also taking additional courses in astronomy and gravitational waves, feeding her passion for space and science.
Adhara’s IQ score of 162 places her above the estimated scores of Einstein and Hawking, both believed to have IQs around 160—though neither was formally tested. Her abilities are rare, and her story is especially powerful considering how underestimated she was by others early in life. She didn’t just defy the odds—she shattered them.
Her dream? To become an astronaut and work for NASA. Adhara has already taken steps in that direction. She’s studying English to prepare for the University of Arizona’s entrance exam, where she’s been offered admission. She continues to immerse herself in astrophysics and space studies, staying laser-focused on her ultimate goal.
But Adhara isn’t just about science and numbers. She also wants to help others like her. Inspired by her own experiences, she once developed a prototype bracelet that could monitor emotional states in children with special needs, helping to detect early signs of seizures or emotional distress. Her empathy for others runs deep—at age four, she suffered a seizure so severe that she nearly fell into a coma. The incident left her unable to move her hands for a year, requiring extensive physical therapy. These challenges only made her stronger.
During her recovery, Adhara looked up to Stephen Hawking, finding strength in his story. Despite his physical limitations, Hawking made groundbreaking contributions to science—something Adhara deeply admired. Similarly, Albert Einstein became one of her heroes, especially after she learned how he was often doubted and misunderstood as a child. That connection fueled her determination to keep pushing forward.
In 2019, Forbes México recognized Adhara’s brilliance by including her in their “100 Most Powerful Women in Mexico” list. She even wrote a memoir titled Do Not Give Up, where she shares her inspiring journey and the obstacles she overcame. It’s a reminder that no matter how misunderstood you might feel, you can still rise above and make a difference.
So, what exactly is a high IQ? IQ stands for “intelligence quotient,” a number derived from standardized tests meant to measure a person’s reasoning, problem-solving abilities, and other cognitive functions. The average IQ score is 100. Anything over 130 is considered “gifted,” and Adhara’s score of 162 puts her in the uppermost tier of human intellect.
However, it’s important to note that IQ tests have their critics. Many experts argue that intelligence is too complex to be captured in a single number. Environmental factors, culture, education, and even access to nutrition can all affect test results. Some studies have shown that regions with fewer resources tend to score lower, raising questions about the fairness and accuracy of these assessments.
Still, there’s no denying that Adhara Pérez is a remarkable young woman with enormous potential. Her story is proof that labels like “weird” or “different” are often just misunderstandings of brilliance. As she continues her journey, her dream to reach the stars—both literally and figuratively—feels closer every day. With her incredible determination, there’s no telling what she’ll achieve. And we’ll all be watching.
