What famous or important people have you encountered in real life?

I have a bit of a problem with this one... Today the cult of the 'celebrity' is so pervasive and the media 'hype' surrounding people in whom I have not the slightest interest is so huge, that it makes me question what makes someone famous or important, and to whom? I have never met royalty or a 'lifestyles of the rich and famous' style multimiliionaire, or someone who has done great works in the world.... nor have I sought to. I think the answer is, that the qualities I would seek out in a person are not those which produce 'fame', more those of someone who is truly interesting and willing to share their knowledge or life experience.That can be from any walk of life or of any social standing.