Michael Kearney's Guinness World Record: The child genius who graduated university at 10 and won a million dollars

Michael Kearney made history by becoming the youngest person to earn a university degree, obtaining a bachelor's in anthropology from the University of South Alabama at just 10 years and four months old. This academic achievement earned him a Guinness World Record, marking him as a child prodigy.

More than a decade after his graduation, Kearney achieved another significant milestone in 2006 when he won $1 million in AOL's Gold Rush, a popular culture trivia contest. The prize came after he navigated challenges in the game, created by producer Mark Burnett, which tested participants' knowledge of popular culture. Kearney was one of three finalists competing for the grand prize, ultimately winning the contest and securing the substantial cash award.

Kearney's educational journey began with a unique homeschooling program developed by his mother, Cassidy Kearney, who had a background in teaching. This tailored curriculum allowed him to learn at an accelerated pace. By age six, he had already earned a high school equivalency certificate and began taking college courses at Santa Rosa Junior College, often with his mother attending alongside him to prepare for assessments.

His parents, Cassidy and Kevin Kearney, faced initial skepticism from some educational professionals who suggested Michael might have hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder. However, his early aptitude was evident; he reportedly began reading at eight months old and joined Mensa, an organization for individuals with high IQs, at the age of four. His academic prowess continued through his teenage years, earning a master's degree in biochemistry with an A- average at 14 years and eight months old, another achievement recognized by Guinness World Records.