List of Latin Americans
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Template:SHORTDESC: This is a list of notable Latin American people, in alphabetical order within categories.
Actors
[edit | edit source]- Wagner Moura (born 1976)
- Fernanda Montenegro (born 1929)
- Norma Aleandro (born 1936)
- Héctor Alterio (born 1929)
- Rafael Amaya (born 1977)
- Imperio Argentina (1906–2003)
- Pedro Armendáriz (1912–1963)
- Carla Baratta (born 1990)
- Adrian Bellani (born 1982)
- Diego Bertie (born 1967)
- Rubén Blades (born 1948)
- Marcela Bovio (born 1979)
- Sônia Braga (born 1950)
- Richard Cabral (born 1984)
- Cantinflas (1911–1993)
- Barbara Carrera (born 1951)
- Grecia Colmenares (born 1962)
- Ricardo Darín (born 1957)
- Colman Domingo (born 1969)
- Dolores del Río (1904–1983)
- Lali Espósito (born 1991)
- María Félix (1914–2002)
- Andrés García (born 1941)
- Andy García (born 1956)
- Danay García (born 1984)
- Gael García Bernal (born 1978)
- Diane Guerrero (born 1986)
- Darío Grandinetti (born 1959)
- Maribel Guardia (born 1959)
- Salma Hayek (born 1966)
- Pedro Infante (1917–1957)
- Oscar Isaac (born 1979)
- Raul Julia (1940–1994)
- Katy Jurado (1924–2002)
- Libertad Lamarque (1908–2000)
- John Leguizamo (born 1964)
- Federico Luppi (1936–2017)
- Santiago Magill (born 1977)
- Christian Meier (born 1970)
- Carmen Miranda (1909–1955)
- Ricardo Montalbán (1920–2009)
- Maria Montez (1912–1951)
- Rita Moreno (born 1931)
- Jorge Negrete (1911–1953)
- Gianella Neyra (born 1977)
- Miguel A. Núñez Jr. (born 1964)
- Edward James Olmos (born 1947)
- Natalia Oreiro (born 1977)
- J.D. Pardo (born 1980)
- Manny Pérez (born 1969)
- Silvia Pinal (born 1931)
- Danny Pino (born 1974)
- Anthony Quinn (1915-2001)
- Dania Ramirez (born 1980)
- Emilio Rivera (born 1961)
- Zoe Saldana (born 1978)
- Catalina Sandino Moreno (born 1981)
- Christian Serratos (born 1990)
- Benicio del Toro (born 1967)
- Christy Turlington (born 1969)
- Lupe Vélez (1908–1944)
- Sofía Vergara (born 1972)
- China Zorrilla (1922–2014)
- Gina Rodriguez (born 1984)
- Isabela Moner (born 2001)
Leonora Duran (born in 2011)
Artists and designers
[edit | edit source]- See also List of Latin American artists.
- Brazil Aleijadinho (1730 or 1738 – 1814), sculptor
- Colombia Julio Abril (1911–1979), sculptor
- Brazil Tarsila do Amaral (1886–1973), painter, considered one of the leading modernist artists in Latin America
- Colombia Fernando Botero (1932–2023), painter and sculptor
- Brazil Adriana Melo, comic book artist, notable for her work on the Star Wars: Empire franchise
- Uruguay Luis Camnitzer (born 1937), conceptual artist
- Brazil Roger Mello (born 1965), children's book illustrator
- Puerto Rico José Campeche (1751–1809), painter
- Brazil Lygia Clark (1920–1988), painter and sculptor
- Chile Marcela Donoso (born 1961), painter
- Peru Pancho Fierro (1810–1879), illustrator
- Venezuela Gego (1912–1994), geometric-abstract sculptor
- Brazil Paulo Mendes da Rocha (1928–2021), architect
- Mexico José Guadalupe Posada (1852–1913), illustrator and cartoonist, printmaker
- Chile Alfredo Jaar (born 1956), installation artist
- Mexico Frida Kahlo (1907–1954), realist and symbolist painter
- Brazil Ruth Kedar (born 1955), artist and designer
- Argentina Guillermo Kuitca (born 1961), painter
- Brazil Gabriel Bá and Fabio Moon, comic book artist
- Cuba Wifredo Lam (1902–1982), painter
- Chile Roberto Matta (1911–2002), painter
- Brazil Abraham Palatnik (1928–2020), abstract artist and inventor
- Cuba Ana Mendieta (1948–1985), performance artist
- Argentina Lola Mora (1866–1936), sculptor
- Brazil Hélio Oiticica (1937–1980), painter and sculptor
- Puerto Rico Francisco Oller (1833–1917), impressionist painter
- Mexico José Clemente Orozco (1883–1949), mural painter and lithographer
- Brazil Candido Portinari (1903–1962), painter
- Argentina Benito Quinquela Martín (1890–1977), painter
- Peru Diego Quispe Tito (1611–1681), Cuzco School painter
- Brazil Eduardo Kobra (born 1976), graffiti artist
- Venezuela Armando Reverón (1889–1954), painter
- Mexico Diego Rivera (1886–1957), muralist
- Cuba United States Emilio Hector Rodriguez (born 1950), painter and photographer
- Brazil Gustavo Ramos (born 1993), artist and oil painter
- Peru José Sabogal (1888–1956), indigenist painter
- Mexico David Alfaro Siqueiros (1896–1974), social realist painter and muralist
- Venezuela Jesús Rafael Soto (1923–2005), kinetic and op artist
- Mexico Rufino Tamayo (1899–1991), painter, artist
- Brazil Oscar Niemeyer (1907–2012), architect
- Uruguay Joaquín Torres-García (1874–1949), constructivist painter
- Mexico Spain Remedios Varo (1908–1963), surrealist painter
- Brazil Constantine Andreou (1917–2007), painter and sculptor
Fashion
[edit | edit source]- Brazil Gisele Bündchen (born 1980), fashion model
- Argentina Valeria Mazza (born 1972), fashion model
- Brazil Francisco Costa (born 1964), designer
- Dominican Republic Puerto Rico Oscar de la Renta (1932–2014), fashion designer
- Colombia Nina García (born 1965), fashion editor
- BrazilHans Stern (1922–2007), jeweler and businessman
- Uruguay Gabriela Hearst (born 1976), fashion designer
- Brazil Alexandre Herchcovitch (born 1971), fashion designer
- Venezuela Carolina Herrera (born 1939), fashion designer
- Peru Mario Testino (born 1954), fashion photographer
- Brazil Alessandra Ambrósio (born 1981), fashion person
Film directors
[edit | edit source]- Argentina Andy Muschietti (born 1973)
- Brazil Francisco Antônio de Almeida Júnior (1851–1928), important figure in the development of cinematography
- Argentina Damian Szifron (born 1975)
- Chile Spain Alejandro Amenábar (born 1972)
- Mexico Alfonso Arau (born 1932)
- Brazil Carlos Saldanha (born 1965) animator
- Argentina Adolfo Aristarain (born 1943)
- Argentina Brazil Héctor Babenco (born 1946)
- Spain Mexico Luis Buñuel (1900–1983)
- Argentina Juan José Campanella (born 1959)
- Venezuela Román Chalbaud (1931–2023)
- Mexico Alfonso Cuarón (born 1961)
- Chile Juan Downey (1940–1993)
- Argentina Lucrecia Martel (born 1966)
- Cuba Sara Gómez (1942–1974)
- Spain Venezuela Guillermo Fantástico González (1945–2020)
- Mexico Alejandro González Iñárritu (born 1963)
- Chile Alejandro Jodorowsky (born 1929)
- Argentina León Klimovsky (1906–1996)
- Chile Claudia Llosa (born 1976)
- Brazil Fernando Meirelles (born 1955)
- Venezuela Franco de Peña (born 1966)
- Argentina Lucía Puenzo (born 1976)
- Mexico Arturo Ripstein (born 1943)
- Chile Raúl Ruiz (director) (1941–2011)
- Brazil Walter Salles (born 1956)
- Cuba Amy Serrano (born 1966)
- Mexico Guillermo del Toro (born 1964)
Leaders and politicians
[edit | edit source]- Uruguay José Mujica (1935-2025), President of Uruguay
- Argentina Leandro N. Alem (1841–1896), politician
- El Salvador Nayib Bukele (born 1981), President of El Salvador
- Costa Rica Óscar Arias (born 1940), statesman, Nobel Peace Prize
- Argentina Cristina Kirchner (born 1953), President of Argentina
- Venezuela Spain Francisco de Miranda (1750–1813), Supreme Chief of First Republic of Venezuela
- Argentina Julio A. Roca (born 1843), President of Argentina
- El Salvador Antonio Saca (born 1965), President of El Salvador
- Venezuela Rómulo Betancourt (1908–1981), President of Venezuela
- Venezuela Simón Bolívar (1783–1830), Libertador in Spanish American wars of independence
- Argentina Javier Milei (born 1970), President of Argentina
- Mexico Anastasio Bustamante (1780–1853), President of Mexico
- Mexico Plutarco Elías Calles (1877–1945), President of Mexico
- Cuba Fidel Castro (1926–2016), Prime Minister, later President of Cuba
- Mexico Alfonso García Robles (1911–1991), diplomat and politician, Nobel Peace Prize
- Paraguay José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia (1766–1840), Supreme Dictator of Paraguay
- Argentina Che Guevara (1928–1967), Marxist revolutionary
- Mexico Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811), Chief instigator of Mexican War of Independence
- Mexico Benito Juárez (1806–1872), President of Mexico
- Brazil Juscelino Kubitschek (1902–1976), President of Brazil
- Colombia Alberto Lleras Camargo (1906–1990), President of Colombia
- Venezuela Leopoldo López (born 1971), Mayor of Chacao, Venezuela
- Cuba José Martí (1853–1895), leader of Cuban Independence movement
- Argentina Juan Manuel de Rosas (born 1793), Caudillo
- Guatemala Rigoberta Menchú (born 1959), activist, Nobel Peace Prize
- Brazil Chico Mendes (1944–1988), trade union leader and environmentalist
- Colombia Antonio Nariño (1765–1824), political and military leader
- Peru Javier Pérez de Cuéllar (1920–2020), United Nations Secretary-General
- Argentina Adolfo Pérez Esquivel (born 1931), activist, Nobel Peace Prize
- Argentina Juan Perón (1895–1974), President of Argentina
- Argentina Carlos Saavedra Lamas (1878–1959), academic and politician, Nobel Peace Prize
- Argentina José de San Martín (1778–1850), Libertador in Spanish American wars of independence
- Nicaragua Augusto César Sandino (1985–1934), guerilla leader and revolutionary
- Mexico Pancho Villa (1878–1923), guerrilla leader of the Mexican Revolution
- Mexico Emiliano Zapata (1879–1919), guerrilla leader of the Mexican Revolution
- Brazil Lula da Silva (born 1945), President of Brazil
- Puerto Rico Pedro Albizu Campos (1891–1965), president of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party
- Bolivia Evo Morales (born 1959), president of Bolivia
Monarchs
[edit | edit source]- Mexico Agustin I (1783–1824), independence leader, Emperor of Mexico
- Argentina Pope Francis (born 1936), Sovereign of Vatican City State
- Brazil Pedro I (1798–1834), independence leader, Emperor of Brazil
- Brazil Pedro II (1825–1891), Emperor of Brazil
Imperial/royal consorts
[edit | edit source]- Mexico Ana María Huarte (1786–1861), Empress consort of Mexico
- Brazil Amélie of Leuchtenberg (1812–1834), Empress consort of Brazil
- Mexico Carlota of Mexico (1840–1927), Empress consort of Mexico
- Brazil Maria Leopoldina of Austria (1797–1826), Empress consort of Brazil
- Cuba Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg (born 1956), Grand Duchess consort of Luxembourg
- Argentina Máxima of the Netherlands (born 1971), Queen consort of the Netherlands
- Brazil Teresa Cristina of the Two Sicilies (1843–1889), Empress consort of Brazil
Musicians
[edit | edit source]- Argentina Carlos Gardel (born 1890), singer, songwriter, composer and actor
- Brazil Gustavo Assis-Brasil, guitarist
- Uruguay United States Miguel del Águila (born 1957), composer
- Brazil Alok (DJ) (born 1991), musician, DJ, and record producer
- Dominican Republic Michel Camilo (born 1954), pianist and composer
- Venezuela Simón Díaz (1928–2014), composer, actor and singer
- Brazil Gilberto Gil (born 1942), singer and composer
- Peru Chabuca Granda (1920–1983), singer and composer
- Puerto Rico Rafael Hernández Marín (1892–1965), composer
- Brazil Antônio Carlos Jobim (1927–1994), pianist, singer and composer
- Mexico Agustín Lara (1900–1970), composer
- Cuba Ernesto Lecuona (1896–1963), composer, pianist and conductor
- Brazil Vinicius de Moraes (1913–1980), singer and composer
- Argentina Ástor Piazzolla (1921–1992), tango composer
- Puerto Rico Tito Puente (1923–2000), Latin jazz and mambo musician
- Puerto Rico Omar Rodríguez-López (born 1975), guitarist
- Mexico United States Carlos Santana (born 1947), composer, songwriter and guitarist
- Brazil Eloy Casagrande (born 1991), drummer
- Argentina Lalo Schifrin (born 1932), composer and pianist
- Peru Pedro Suárez-Vértiz (born 1966), pianist, singer and composer
- Brazil Caetano Veloso (born 1942), singer and composer
- Argentina Lito Vitale (born 1961), composer and performer
- Brazil Laurindo Almeida (1917–1995), guitarist and composer in classical
- Argentina Atahualpa Yupanqui (1908–1992), folk musician
- Argentina Rosa Antonelli, pianist
- Brazil Antônio Meneses (born 1957), cellist
Classical
[edit | edit source]- Nelson Freire (born 1944–2021), classical pianist
- José Antonio Abreu (born 1939), pianist, conductor and composer
- Miguel del Águila (born 1957), composer
- Claudio Arrau (1903–1991), pianist
- Clara Ricciolini (1822-1869), ballet
- Daniel Barenboim (born 1942), pianist and conductor
- Agustín Barrios (1885–1944), guitarist and composer
- Teresa Carreño (1853–1917), pianist, conductor and composer
- Reynaldo Hahn (1874–1947), music, critic, conductor and composer
- Deborah Colker (born 1960), ballet dancer
- Eduardo Marturet (born 1953), conductor and composer
- Eduardo Mata (1942–1995), conductor and composer
- Juan Orrego Salas (1919–2019, composer
- Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887–1959), composer
- Opera singers
- Paulo Szot, baritone
- Luigi Alva (1927–2025), tenor
- Fabiana Bravo (born 1969), soprano
- Antônio Carlos Gomes (1836–1896), opera composer
- Eduardo Brito (1906–1946), baritone
- José Cura (born 1962), tenor
- Juan Diego Flórez (born 1973), tenor
- Isabel Rubio Ricciolini (1792–1846), opera
Singers
[edit | edit source]- Ecuador United States Christina Aguilera (born 1980), pop/R&B singer-songwriter and actress
- El Salvador Álvaro Torres (born 1954), singer-songwriter
- Brazil Anitta (born 1993), singer-songwriter, actress, and dancer
- Cuba United States Desi Arnaz (1917–1986), salsa singer
- Panama Rubén Blades (born 1948), salsa singer
- Brazil Roberto Carlos (singer) (born 1941), singer-songwriter
- Brazil Cazuza (1958–1990), singer-songwriter
- Argentina Gustavo Cerati (1959–2014), alternative rock singer-songwriter
- Cuba United States Celia Cruz (1925–2003), salsa singer
- Dominican Republic United States Kat DeLuna (born 1987), singer
- Argentina Lali Espósito (born 1991), pop singer-songwriter
- Cuba United States Gloria Estefan (born 1957), singer-songwriter
- Puerto Rico José Feliciano (born 1945), singer-songwriter
- Mexico Juan Gabriel (1950–2016), ranchera and ballad singer-songwriter
- Argentina Charly García (born 1951), rock musician
- Dominican Republic Juan Luis Guerra (born 1957), singer-songwriter
- Mexico Pedro Infante (1917–1957), singer and actor
- Chile Víctor Jara (1932–1973), singer-songwriter
- Colombia Juanes (born 1972), singer-songwriter
- Puerto Rico United States Jennifer Lopez (born 1969), singer-songwriter, dancer, actress, producer
- Mexico Jorge Negrete (1911–1953), singer-songwriter
- Argentina Fito Páez (born 1961), singer-songwriter, producer and film director
- Dominican Republic United States Prince Royce (born 1989), singer-songwriter
- Dominican Republic Santaye, singer-songwriter
- Brazil Ivete Sangalo (born 1972), singer-songwriter
- Brazil Raul Seixas (1945–1989), composer, singer-songwriter and producer
- Colombia Shakira (born 1977), Latin pop singer-songwriter
- Argentina Luis Alberto Spinetta (1950–2012), singer-songwriter
- Mexico Lynda Thomas (born 1981), alternative rock and eurodance singer-songwriter
- Colombia Carlos Vives (born 1961), vallenato singer, composer and actor
- Puerto Rico United States Ricky Martin (born 1971), Latin pop singer-songwriter and actor
- Puerto Rico United States Bad Bunny (born 1994), reggaeton and Latin trap singer-songwriter
- Cuba Mexico United States Camila Cabello (born 1997), actor, singer-songwriter
Philosophers and humanists
[edit | edit source]- Paulo Freire (1921–1997), philosopher
- Juan Bautista Alberdi (1810–1884), political theorist
- Andrés Bello (1781–1865), humanist, philosopher, educator and philologist
- Leonardo Boff (born 1938), early Liberation theologians
- Mario Bunge (1919–2020), philosopher
- Miguel Antonio Caro (1843–1909), humanist, linguist and politician
- Rufino José Cuervo (1844–1911), philologist and linguist
- Sérgio Buarque de Holanda (1802–1982), writer, journalist and sociologist
- Manuel DeLanda (born 1952), philosopher, professor
- Roberto Mangabeira Unger (born 1947), philosopher
- José Ingenieros (1877–1925), philosopher and sociologist
- Enrique Krauze (born 1947), historian, political and social essayist
- Humberto Maturana (1928–2021), proponent of embodied philosophy
- Ernesto Mayz Vallenilla (1925–2015), humanist, philosopher and educator
- Gilberto de Mello Freyre (1900–1987), sociologist, considered one of the most important sociologists of the 20th century
- Edmundo O'Gorman (1906–1995), philosopher
- Francisco Varela (1946–2001), proponent of embodied philosophy
- José Vasconcelos (1882–1959), thinker, educator and essayist
- Antonio Candido (1918–2017), writer, sociologist
Science and technology
[edit | edit source]- Brazil Manuel de Abreu (1894–1962), physician and scientist
- Brazil Josué de Castro (1908–1973), physician
- Brazil Milton Santos (1926–2001), geographer
- Brazil Giuseppe Cilento (1923–1994), chemist
- Brazil Ivan Izquierdo (1937-2021), scientist
- Argentina Juan Martín Maldacena ( born 1968), theoretical physicis
- Argentina Julio Navarro (astrophysicist) (born 1962), astrophysicist
- Argentina Luis Agote (1868–1954), physician and researcher
- Argentina Eugenia Kalnay (1942-2024), meteorologist
- Argentina Sandra Díaz (ecologist) (born 1961), ecologist
- Puerto Rico Ricardo Alegría (1921–2011), physical anthropologist
- Brazil Maurício Peixoto (1921–2019), engineer and mathematician
- Argentina Luis Caffarelli (born 1948), mathematician
- Argentina Eduardo Arzt (born 1953), molecular biologist
- Argentina Ana Belén Elgoyhen (born 1959), scientist
- Brazil Álvaro Alvim (1863–1928), physician
- Brazil Antonio Divino Moura, meteorologist
- Brazil Carolina Araujo, mathematician
- Brazil Artur Avila (born 1979), mathematician
- Argentina José Antonio Balseiro (1919–1962), nuclear physicist
- Argentina Gregorio Baro (1928–2012), radiochemist
- Argentina Eduardo D. Sontag (born 1951), mathematician
- Brazil Ana Bedran-Russo, clinician and scientist
- Argentina Amina Helmi (born 1970), astronomer
- Argentina Alberto Pedro Calderón (1920-1998), mathematician
- Venezuela United States Baruj Benacerraf (1920–2011), immunologist, Nobel Prize Medicine
- Mexico United States Martha E. Bernal (1931–2001), psychologist
- Brazil Fernando Brandão (born 1983), physicist and computer scientist
- Brazil Vital Brazil (1865–1950), physician, biomedical scientist and immunologist
- Argentina Jorge E. Galán, microbiologist
- Argentina Carlos Eduardo Kenig (born 1953), mathematician
- Colombia Francisco José de Caldas (1768–1818), naturalist, mathematician, geographer and inventor
- Argentina United States Fernando Caldeiro (born 1958), NASA astronaut
- Puerto Rico Víctor A. Carreño (1911–1967), NASA aerospace engineer
- Mexico Nabor Carrillo Flores (1911–1967), nuclear physicist
- Brazil Carlos Chagas (1879–1934), physician and scientist
- Costa Rica United States Franklin Chang Díaz (born 1950), NASA astronaut
- Puerto Rico Nitza Margarita Cintrón (born 1950), NASA Chief of Space and Health Care Systems
- Brazil Adelmar Faria Coimbra-Filho (1924–2016), biologist, primatologist
- Venezuela Jacinto Convit (1913–2014), medical scientist, discoverer of vaccines
- Brazil Newton da Costa (1929–2024), mathematician, logician, and philosopher
- Brazil Luís Cruls (1848–1908), astronomer and geodesist
- Argentina Armando J. Parodi (born 1942), glycobiologist
- Brazil Oswaldo Cruz (1872–1917), physician, bacteriologist, epidemiologist
- Brazil Johanna Döbereiner (born 1924), agronomist
- Argentina René Favaloro (1923–2000), cardiologist, created the technique for coronary bypass
- Venezuela Humberto Fernández-Morán (1924–1999), medical research scientist
- Brazil Sérgio Henrique Ferreira (1934–2016), physician and pharmacologist
- Puerto Rico Orlando Figueroa (born 1955), NASA Director for Mars Exploration and for Solar System Division
- Cuba Carlos Finlay (1833–1915), medical scientist, researcher
- Brazil Leopoldo Penna Franca (1959-2012), mathematician
- Colombia Julio Garavito Armero (1865–1920), astronomer
- Brazil Marcelo Gleiser (born 1959), physicist and astronomer
- Brazil Otto Richard Gottlieb (1920–2011), chemist and scientist
- Brazil José Goldemberg (born 1928), physicist
- Mexico Guillermo González Camarena (1917–1965), inventor of an early color television system
- Brazil Hilário de Gouvêa (1843–1929), ophthalmologist
- Cuba Juan Gundlach (1810–1896), naturalist, taxonomist
- Brazil Celso Grebogi (born 1947), theoretical physicist
- Colombia Salomón Hakim (1922–2011), physician and scientist
- Mexico Guillermo Haro (1913–1988), astrophysicist, specialist in observational astronomy
- Argentina Bernardo Houssay (1887–1971), physiologist, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
- Mexico Miguel de Icaza (born 1972), free software programmer
- Brazil Roberto Ierusalimschy (born 1960), computer scientist
- Brazil Madeleine M. Joullié (born March 29, 1927) organic chemist
- Brazil Warwick Estevam Kerr (1922–2018), agricultural engineer, geneticist, entomologist
- Brazil Roberto Landell de Moura (1861–1928), pioneer of telephony and radio
- Brazil César Lattes (1924–2005), experimental physicist
- Argentina Luis Federico Leloir (1906–1987), biochemist, Nobel Prize in Chemistry
- Brazil Maria Carmela Lico (1927–1985), physiologist
- Argentina Mariana Weissmann (born 1933), physicist
- Brazil Beatriz Barbuy (born 1950), astrophysicist
- Brazil Henrique da Rocha Lima (1879–1956), physician, pathologist and infectologist
- Argentina Domingo Liotta (1924–2022), cardiologist, created first artificial heart
- Brazil Rosaly Lopes (born 1957), planetary geologist, volcanologist
- Brazil Peter Wilhelm Lund (1801–1880), paleontologist, zoologist and archeologist
- Brazil Adolfo Lutz (1855–1940), epidemiologist
- Brazil Lúcia Mendonça Previato (born 1949), biologist
- Chile Humberto Maturana (1928–2021), biologist
- Cuba Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez (born 1942), USSR Space Program cosmonaut
- Argentina César Milstein (1927–2002), biochemist, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
- Mexico Luis E. Miramontes (1925–2004), chemist, co-inventor of the oral contraceptive
- Mexico Mario J. Molina (born 1943), chemist, Nobel Prize in Chemistry
- Honduras Salvador Moncada (born 1944), pharmacologist
- Brazil Nélio José Nicolai (1940–2017), electrotechnician
- Brazil Miguel Nicolelis(1961), pioneering work surrounding brain-computer interface
- Chile Hermann Niemeyer (1919–1991), paediatrician and biochemist, pioneer of biochemistry in Chile
- Mexico Rodolfo Neri Vela (born 1952), Ph.D, NASA astronaut
- Brazil Belita Koiller, Physics
- Brazil Carlos Nobre (scientist) (born 1951), scientist and meteorologist
- Peru United States Carlos I. Noriega (born 1959), NASA astronaut
- Puerto Rico Antonia Novello (born 1944), 14th Surgeon General of the United States
- Brazil Ruth Sonntag Nussenzweig (1928–2018), immunologist
- Brazil Diltor Opromolla (1934–2004), physician and dermatologist
- Colombia Manuel Elkin Patarroyo (born 1947), pathologist, vaccines specialist
- Brazil Carlos Paz de Araújo, scientist and inventor
- Brazil Jacob Palis (1940–2025), mathematician
- Dominican Republic Feniosky Peña-Mora (born 1966), engineer and educator
- Brazil Sérgio Pereira da Silva Porto (1926–1979), physicist
- Cuba Felipe Poey (1799–1891), zoologist, specialist in ichthyology
- Peru Aracely Quispe Neira (born 1982), NASA senior astronautical engineer, professor, researcher
- Brazil Silvano Raia, surgeon
- Argentina Eduardo H. Rapoport (1927–2017), ecologist, biogeographer
- Venezuela L. Rafael Reif (born 1950), engineer, president of MIT
- Spain Mexico Andrés Manuel del Río (1764–1849), geologist, chemist
- Brazil Maurício Rocha e Silva (1910–1983), physician and pharmacologist
- Puerto Rico United States Helen Rodríguez Trías (1929–2001), pediatrician, early advocate for women's reproductive rights
- Argentina Alicia Dickenstein (born 1955) mathematician
- El Salvador United States Francisco Rubio (astronaut) (born 1975), NASA astronaut
- Brazil Oscar Sala (1922–2010), nuclear physicist
- Brazil Roberto Salmeron (1922–2020), electrical engineer and experimental nuclear physicist
- Puerto Rico Wilfredo Santa-Gómez (born 1949), psychiatrist
- Dominican Republic José Santana (economist) (born 1962), specialist in technology and development
- Brazil Alberto Santos-Dumont (1873–1932), aviation inventor
- Brazil Nise da Silveira (1905–1999), psychiatrist
- Mexico United States Sarah Stewart (cancer researcher) (1905–1976), microbiologist, discovered Polyomavirus
- Chile Klaus von Storch (born 1962), aerospace engineer
- Brazil Sérgio Trindade (1940–2020), chemical engineer and researcher
- Chile Pablo DT Valenzuela (born 1941), biotechnologist, co-founder of Chiron Corporation and Fundación Ciencias Para la Vida
- Chile Francisco Varela (1946–2001), biologist, co-author of the theory of autopoiesis
- Mexico United States Lydia Villa-Komaroff (born 1947), biologist, early Mexican American PhD in the sciences
- Brazil Euryclides de Jesus Zerbini (1912–1993), physician and cardiac surgeon
Social scientists
[edit | edit source]- Celso Monteiro Furtado (1920–2004), economist
- Eugenio María de Hostos (1839–1903), sociologist and educator
- Miguel León-Portilla (1926–2019), cultural anthropologist and historian
- Milton Santos (1926–2001), human geographer and writer
- Hernando de Soto Polar (born 1941), economist
- Julio C. Tello (1880–1947), archeologist
- Lorenz Bruno Puntel (born 1935), philosopher
Sports
[edit | edit source]Athletics to Cycling
[edit | edit source]- Athletics
- Mexico Daniel Bautista (born 1952), Olympic race walk gold medalist
- Brazil Thiago Braz (born 1993), Olympic pole vault gold medalist
- Argentina Delfo Cabrera (1919–1981), Olympic marathon gold medalist
- Mexico Ernesto Canto (born 1959), race walk Olympic gold medalist and World Champion
- Brazil Joaquim Cruz (born 1963), Olympic 800m gold medalist
- Brazil Adhemar da Silva (1927–2001), Olympic 2x triple jump gold medalist
- Cuba Anier García (born 1976), Olympic 110 m hurdles gold medalist
- Mexico Raúl González (racewalker) (born 1952), Olympic gold medalist
- Cuba Alberto Juantorena (born 1950), Olympic 2x track gold medalist
- Cuba Iván Pedroso (born 1972), Olympic long jump gold medalist and 4x World Champion
- Ecuador Jefferson Pérez (born 1974), Olympic 2x race walk gold medalist and 4x World Champion
- Cuba Dayron Robles (born 1986), Olympic 110 m hurdles gold medalist
- Panama Irving Saladino (born 1983), Olympic gold medalist and World Champion
- Dominican Republic United States Félix Sánchez (born 1977), Olympic 400m hurdles gold medalist and 2x World Champion
- Cuba Javier Sotomayor (born 1967), Olympic high jump gold medalist and World Record holder
- Argentina Juan Carlos Zabala (1911–1983), Olympic marathon gold medalist
- Baseball
- Venezuela Luis Aparicio (born 1934), Major League Baseball (MLB) shortstop, Baseball Hall of Fame
- Venezuela Miguel Cabrera (born 1983), MLB first baseman
- Brazil Yan Gomes (born 1987), Brazilian-American professional baseball catcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB)
- Puerto Rico Roberto Clemente (1934–1972), MLB right fielder, Baseball Hall of Fame
- Dominican Republic Juan Marichal (born 1937), MLB pitcher, Baseball Hall of Fame
- Nicaragua Dennis Martínez (born 1955), MLB pitcher, first Latino to pitch a perfect game
- Dominican Republic Pedro Martínez (born 1971), MLB pitcher, 3x Cy Young Award winner
- Dominican Republic Sammy Sosa (born 1968), MLB right fielder, first Latino to hit 500 home runs
- Dominican Republic José Reyes (infielder) (born 1983), MLB player
- Mexico Fernando Valenzuela (born 1960), MLB pitcher
- Basketball
- Brazil Oscar Schmidt (born 1958)
- Brazil Hortência Marcari (born 1959)
- Puerto Rico Carlos Arroyo (born 1979), National Basketball Association (NBA) point guard
- Brazil Leandro Barbosa (born 1982), NBA Champion
- Puerto Rico J. J. Barea (born 1984), NBA Champion
- Argentina Manu Ginóbili (born 1977), Olympic gold medalist, NBA 2x Champion
- Dominican Republic Al Horford (born 1986), NBA
- Mexico Horacio Llamas (born 1973), NBA
- Mexico Eduardo Nájera (born 1976), NBA
- Puerto Rico Butch Lee (born 1956), NBA Champion
- Boxing
- Nicaragua Rosendo Álvarez (born 1970), World Champion
- Nicaragua Alexis Argüello (born 1952), World Champion, International Boxing Hall of Fame
- Puerto Rico United States Wilfred Benítez (born 1958), World Champion in 3x weight divisions, International Boxing Hall of Fame
- Argentina Jorge Castro (boxer) (born 1967), World Champion
- Mexico Julio César Chávez (born 1962), World Champion in 3x weight divisions
- Argentina Juan Martin Coggi (born 1961), World Champion
- Dominican Republic Carlos Cruz (boxer) (1937–1970), World Champion
- Mexico United States Oscar De La Hoya (born 1972), World Champion in 6x weight divisions
- Puerto Rico Carlos De León (1959–2020), World Champion
- Panama Roberto Durán (born 1951), World Champion in 4x weight divisions
- Argentina Víctor Galíndez (1948–1980), World Champion
- Puerto Rico Wilfredo Gómez (born 1956), World Champion
- Brazil Éder Jofre (born 1936), World Champion
- Argentina Santos Laciar (born 1959), World Champion
- Cuba Mexico Raúl Macías (1934–2009), World Champion
- Peru Kina Malpartida (born 1980), World Champion
- Nicaragua Ricardo Mayorga (born 1973), World Champion
- Argentina Carlos Monzón (1942–1995), World Champion
- Mexico José Luis Ramírez (born 1958), World Champion
- Puerto Rico John Ruiz (born 1972), World Champion
- Mexico Salvador Sánchez (1959-1982), World Champion
- Puerto Rico José Torres (1936–2009), World Champion
- Puerto Rico Félix Trinidad (born 1973), World Champion
- Chess
- Peru Esteban Canal (1896–1981), International Master, honorary International Grandmaster
- Cuba José Raúl Capablanca (1888–1942), World Champion, International Grandmaster
- Brazil Henrique Costa Mecking (born 1952), Brazilian chess grandmaster
- Cycling
- Colombia Santiago Botero (born 1972), World Time-Trial Champion
- Brazil Henrique Avancini (born 1989)
- Draughts
- Brazil Lourival Mendes França (died 2012), world champion in draughts-64,(1993), International grandmaster (GMI) in draughts-64, International master (MI) in International draughts
Football to Volleyball
[edit | edit source]- Football (soccer)
- Brazil Pelé (born 1940), co-winner FIFA Player of the 20th Century, Named athlete of the 20th century
- Argentina Alfredo Di Stéfano (1926–2014), 5x Champions League winner with Real Madrid and 3x Ballon d’Or winner
- Argentina Diego Maradona (born 1960), co-winner FIFA Player of the 20th Century
- Argentina Lionel Messi (born 1987), 6x World Footballer of the Year
- Brazil Ronaldo (born 1976)
- Brazil Ronaldinho (born 1980)
- Brazil Kaká (born 1982)
- Brazil Rivaldo (born 1972)
- Brazil Romário (born 1966)
- Handball
- Brazil Eduarda Amorim (born 1986)
- Brazil Alexandra do Nascimento (born 1981)
- Golf
- Puerto Rico Chi-Chi Rodríguez (born 1935), World Golf Hall of Famer
- Brazil Bento Assis 4 x World Champion US Kids Golf
- Horse racing
- Venezuela Javier Castellano (born 1977), jockey, 3x U.S. Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey
- Venezuela Ramon Domínguez (born 1976), jockey, 3x U.S. Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey
- Brazil T. J. Pereira (born 1976)
- Motor sports
- Venezuela Johnny Cecotto (born 1956), 2x Motorcycle World Champion
- Brazil Eric Granado (born 1996), He was the 2017 FIM CEV Moto2 European Championship winner
- Argentina Juan Manuel Fangio (1911–1995), 5x Formula One World Champion
- Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi (born 1946), 2x Formula One World Champion
- Venezuela Carlos Lavado (born 1956), 2x Motorcycle World Champion
- Chile Juan Zanelli (1906–1944), Le Mans and European Hill Climb and Formula One race winner
- Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya (born 1975), 1x CART Champion, 2x Indianapolis 500 winner, Formula One and NASCAR race winner
- Brazil Nelson Piquet (born 1952), 3x Formula One World Champion
- Brazil Ayrton Senna (1960–1994), 3x Formula One World Champion
- Skateboarding
- Brazil Bob Burnquist (born 1976), better known as Bob is the most medalist in X Games history, with a total of 30 medals
- Brazil Letícia Bufoni (born 1993), considered one of the greatest names in the history of the sport
- Surfing
- Peru Sofía Mulánovich (born 1983), 3x World Champion, Surfing Hall of Fame
- Brazil Phil Rajzman (born 1982), 2x World Champion
- Brazil Gabriel Medina (born 1993)
- Brazil Ítalo Ferreira (born 1994)
- Brazil Filipe Toledo (born 1995)
- Brazil Adriano de Souza (born 1987)
- Tennis
- Brazil Maria Bueno (1939–2018), 19x Champion of Grand Slam events, International Tennis Hall of Fame
- El Salvador Rosemary Casals (born 1948), 12x Champion of Grand Slam events
- Puerto Rico Gigi Fernández (born 1964), 1x Champion of Grand Slam event
- Dominican Republic United States Mary Joe Fernández (born 1971), 2x Champion of Grand Slam events, 2 Olympic gold medals
- Argentina Gastón Gaudio (born 1978), 1x Champion of Grand Slam event
- Ecuador Andrés Gómez (born 1960), 1x Champion of Grand Slam event
- Chile Fernando González (born 1980), 2x Olympic medalist
- Brazil Gustavo Kuerten (born 1976), 1x Champion of Grand Slam event
- Chile Anita Lizana (1915–1994), 1x Champion of Grand Slam event, first Latin American to be ranked World Number One
- Chile Nicolás Massú (born 1979), 2x Olympic gold medals
- Argentina David Nalbandian (born 1982), Tennis Masters Champion
- Peru United States Alex Olmedo (1936–2020), 3x Champion of Grand Slam events
- Mexico Rafael Osuna (1938–1969), 4x Champion of Grand Slam events
- Puerto Rico Monica Puig (born 1993), Olympic gold medalist
- Chile Marcelo Ríos (born 1975), first Latín Américan man ranked World Number One in the ATP
- Argentina Gabriela Sabatini (born 1970), 2x Champion of Grand Slam events
- Ecuador United States Pancho Segura (1921–2017), International Tennis Hall of Fame
- Argentina Paola Suárez (born 1976), 1x Champion of Grand Slam event
- Argentina Guillermo Vilas (born 1952), 1x Champion of Grand Slam event
- Volleyball
- Brazil Giba (born 1976)
- Brazil Fabiana Alvim (born 1976)
- Brazil Sérgio Santos (born 1975)
- Brazil Fofão (volleyball player) (born 1970)
- UFC
- Brazil Anderson Silva (born 1975)
- Brazil José Aldo (born 1986)
- Brazil Amanda Nunes (born 1988)
- Brazil Cris Cyborg (born 1985)
Writers
[edit | edit source]- See also List of Latin American writers (by country).
A-L
[edit | edit source]- Brazil Paulo Coelho(born 1947), lyricist and novelist
- Mexico Spain Juan Ruiz de Alarcón (c. 1581–1639), dramatist
- Chile United States Isabel Allende (born 1942), best selling novelist
- Dominican Republic Arambilet (born 1957), created first Latin American story using computerized linetext/ASCII art
- Dominican Republic United States Julia Alvarez (born 1950), poet, novelist and essayist
- Brazil Jorge Amado (1912–2001), modernist writer
- Peru José María Arguedas (1911–1969), novelist
- Argentina Roberto Arlt (1900–1942), short-story writer, novelist, and playwright
- Guatemala Miguel Ángel Asturias (1899–1974), Nobel Prize in Literature
- Uruguay Mario Benedetti (1920–2009), novelist and poet
- Argentina Adolfo Bioy Casares (1914–1999), novelist, Cervantes Prize
- Chile Roberto Bolaño (1953–2003), novelist, Rómulo Gallegos Prize
- Argentina Jorge Luis Borges (1899–1986), Cervantes Prize
- Puerto Rico Giannina Braschi (born 1953), poet, novelist, and essayist
- Peru Alfredo Bryce (born 1939), novelist and short story writer
- Brazil Carlos Drummond de Andrade (1902–1987) poet and writer
- Cuba Guillermo Cabrera Infante (1929–2005), novelist and essayist, Cervantes Prize
- Cuba Alejo Carpentier (1904–1980), novelist and essayist, Cervantes Prize
- Peru United States Carlos Castaneda (1925–1998), New Age and Shamanism author
- Argentina Julio Cortázar (1914–1984), novelist and short story writer
- Mexico Spain Juana Inés de la Cruz (1648/1651–1695), poet and dramatist
- Nicaragua Rubén Darío (1867–1916), modernist poet
- Puerto Rico Virgilio Dávila (1869–1943), poet
- Puerto Rico Julia de Burgos (1914–1953), poet
- Brazil João Guimarães Rosa(1908-1967), novelist, considered by many to be the greatest Brazilian writer of the 20th century and a of the greatest of all time
- Chile Jorge Edwards (born 1931), Cervantes Prize
- Mexico Laura Esquivel (born 1950), novelist
- Puerto Rico Rosario Ferré (1938–2016), poet, novelist, and essayist
- Mexico Carlos Fuentes (1928–2012), novelist and essayist, Rómulo Gallegos Prize, Cervantes Prize and Prince of Asturias Award
- Venezuela Rómulo Gallegos (1884–1969), novelist
- Brazil João Cabral de Melo Neto (1920-1999), poet
- Colombia Gabriel García Márquez (1928–2014), novelist and journalist, Nobel Prize Laureate
- Cuba Nicolás Guillén (1902–1989), poet
- Argentina José Hernández (writer) (1834–1886), poet and journalist
- Chile Vicente Huidobro (1893–1948), poet, initiator of Creacionismo movement
- Cuba José Lezama Lima (1910–1976), novelist
- Panama Amelia Denis de Icaza (1836–1911), romantic poet
- Brazil Clarice Lispector (1925–1977), novelist
- Puerto Rico Luis Lloréns Torres (1878–1944), poet
- Puerto Rico Luis López Nieves (born 1950), best-selling novelist and tale writer
- Cuba Dulce María Loynaz (1902–1997), poet, Cervantes Prize Laureate
- Argentina Leopoldo Lugones (1874–1938), poet
- Brazil Mário de Andrade (1893–1945), poet, novelist, musicologist, art historian and critic, he was a pioneer of the field of ethnomusicology
M-Z
[edit | edit source]- Argentina Alejandra Pizarnik (born 1936), poet
- Brazil Machado de Assis (1839–1908), realist novelist, poet and short-story writer
- Brazil Monteiro Lobato (1882–1948), novelist and short story writer, One of the greatest names in children's literature of all time
- Uruguay United States Jorge Majfud (born 1970), novelist and essayist
- Cuba José Martí (1853–1895), poet and essayist
- Brazil Gregório de Matos (1636–1696), baroque poet
- Dominican Republic Leopoldo Minaya (born 1963), Cervantes Cultural Association Award
- Dominican Republic Pedro Mir (1913–2000), poet and writer, Poet Laureate of Dominican Republic
- Chile Gabriela Mistral (1889–1957), poet, Nobel Prize
- Guatemala Augusto Monterroso (1921–2003), short story writer, Prince of Asturias Award
- Argentina Manuel Mujica Láinez (1910–1984), novelist, essayist, journalist and short story writer
- Colombia Álvaro Mutis (1923–2013), poet, novelist, and essayist, Cervantes Prize, Prince of Asturias Award
- Brazil Ana Maria Machado (born 1941), writer, She received the international Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 2000 for her "lasting contribution to children's literature"
- Chile Pablo Neruda (1904–1973), poet, Nobel Prize
- Mexico Amado Nervo (1870–1919), modernist poet
- Uruguay Juan Carlos Onetti (1909–1994), novelist and short-story writer, Cervantes Prize
- Chile Nicanor Parra (1914–2018), anti-poet
- Mexico Fernando del Paso (1935–2018), novelist, essayist and poet, Rómulo Gallegos Prize
- Mexico Octavio Paz (1914–1998), Cervantes Prize and Nobel Prize
- Mexico Sergio Pitol (1933–2018), novelist, short story writer and translator, Cervantes Prize
- Mexico Elena Poniatowska (born 1932), novelist
- Argentina Manuel Puig (1932–1990), novelist
- Uruguay Horacio Quiroga (1878–1937), short story writer
- Colombia José Eustasio Rivera (1888–1928), poet and novelist
- Paraguay Augusto Roa Bastos (1917–2005), novelist, Cervantes Prize
- Chile Gonzalo Rojas (born 1917), poet, Cervantes Prize
- Mexico Juan Rulfo (1917–1986), novelist, Prince of Asturias Award
- Argentina Ernesto Sabato (1911–2011), novelist and essayist, Cervantes Prize
- Mexico Jaime Sabines (1926–1999), poet
- Argentina Alfonsina Storni (1892–1938), postmodernist poet
- Brazil Lygia Fagundes Telles (1923–2022), novelist and short-story writer, Camoens Prize
- Venezuela Arturo Uslar Pietri (1906–2001), novelist, Prince of Asturias Award
- Peru César Vallejo (1892–1938), poet
- Colombia Fernando Vallejo (born 1942), novelist, Rómulo Gallegos Prize
- Peru Spain Mario Vargas Llosa (born 1936), novelist and essayist, Cervantes Prize, Nobel Prize
- Peru Spain Inca Garcilaso de la Vega (1539–1616), first mestizo author in Spanish language
- Mexico Xavier Villaurrutia (1903–1950), poet
Others
[edit | edit source]- Silvia Renate Sommerlath (born 1943), Queen of Sweden
- Óscar González-Quevedo (1930–2019), parapsychologist
- Egon Albrecht-Lemke (1918–1944), Luftwaffe fighter pilot
- Luigi Cani (born 1970), skydiver
- Ali Lenin Aguilera (born 1967), businessman
- Frei Galvão (1739–1822), saint
- Eike Batista (born 1956), businessman
- José Antonio Bowen (born 1952), jazz musician and college president
- Enrique Gratas (1944–2015), television journalist
- Chico Xavier (1910–2002), philanthropist and spiritist medium
- María Julia Mantilla (born 1983), Miss World 2004
- Graças Foster (born 1953), business person
- Denise Quiñones (born 1980), Miss Universe 2001
- Sebastião Salgado (born 1944), photographer
- Geraldo Rivera (born 1943), television journalist
- Amyr Klink (born 1955), explorer
- Mike Krieger (born 1986), entrepreneur and software engineer who co-founded Instagram
- Ricardo Salinas Pliego (born 1956), businessman
- Alex Kipman (born 1979), engineer
- Carlos Slim (born 1940), businessman and billionaire
- Gérard Moss (1955-2022), pilot
- Alex Atala (born 1968), cook
- Ademar José Gevaerd (1962–2022), ufologist
- Karol Meyer (born 1968), diver
- Maria da Conceição (d. 1798), alleged witch
- Roche Braziliano (1630–1671), pirate
- Eduardo Saverin (born 1982), co-founder of Facebook
Lists by nationality
[edit | edit source]- Argentina Argentines
- Bolivia Bolivians
- Brazil Brazilians
- Chile Chileans
- Colombia Colombians
- Costa Rica Costa Ricans
- Cuba Cubans
- Dominican Republic Dominicans
- Ecuador Ecuadorians
- Guatemala Guatemalans
- Honduras Hondurans
- Mexico Mexicans
- Nicaragua Nicaraguans
- Panama Panamanians
- Paraguay Paraguayans
- Peru Peruvians
- Puerto Rico Puerto Ricans
- El Salvador Salvadorans
- Uruguay Uruguayans
- Venezuela Venezuelans
- Error creating thumbnail: List of people by nationality