- List of Venezuelans
-
Famous or notable Venezuelans include:
República Bolivariana de Venezuela 
Flag Coat of Arms Contents
Architecture
- Alejandro Chataing, known as "Cipriano Castro's architect".
- Carlos Raúl Villanueva (1900–1975), builder of the Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas.
Artists
Main article: List of Venezuelan artists- Martín Tovar y Tovar (1827–1902)
- Mariano Díaz (born 1929)
- Cristóbal Rojas (1857–1890)
- Arturo Michelena (1863–1898)
- Armando Reverón (1889–1954)
- Gego (Gertrude Goldschmidt; 1912–1994)
- Alejandro Otero (1921–1990)
- Jesús Rafael Soto (1923–2005)
- Carlos Cruz-Díez (born 1923)
- Marisol Escobar (born 1930)
- Patricia van Dalen (born 1955)
- Yucef Merhi (born 1977)
Authors
Main article: List of Venezuelan writers- José Antonio de Armas Chitty, Historian, poet, chronicler, essayist, biographer and researcher.
- Rafael Arráiz Lucca, historian and poet.
- Alberto Arvelo Torrealba, poet.
- Francisco Massiani, writer.
- José Balza, writer
- Andrés Bello, humanist, poet, lawmaker, philosopher, educator and philologist.
- Andrés Eloy Blanco, poet
- Eduardo Blanco, novelist and epic poet.
- Manuel Caballero, historian and journalist.
- Salvador Garmendia, novelist, story teller.
- Rafael Cadenas, poet.
- Juan Carlos Chirinos, writer.
- Rómulo Gallegos, writer.
- Freddy O'Rea Lanz, screenwriter.
- Adriano González León, poet and writer.
- Francisco Herrera Luque (1927–1991), psychiatrist, writer, ambassador, professor.
- Juan Carlos Méndez Guédez, writer
- Guillermo Meneses (1911–1978) writer, journalist, historian, essayist. National Prize of Literature and National Prize of Journalism.
- Eugenio Montejo (1938–2008), poet.
- Guillermo Morón, historian and writer.
- Moisés Naím, writer, current Editor-in-chief of Foreign Policy magazine.
- Manuel Díaz Rodríguez, novelist, journalist.
- Juan Oropeza, writer.
- Miguel Otero Silva, writer.
- Edgar C. Otálvora, economist, historian, journalist and politician
- Teresa de la Parra, writer.
- Juan Antonio Pérez Bonalde, poet.
- Mariano Picón Salas, writer.
- José Rafael Pocaterra, writer.
- José Antonio Ramos Sucre, poet.
- Oscar Sambrano Urdaneta, Writer, essayist and literary critic.
- Pedro Sotillo, journalist, novelist, and poet.
- Arturo Uslar Pietri, Notable intellectual, historian and writer.
- Tomás Straka, Historian.
- Slavko Zupcic, writer.
- Domingo Maza Zavala, Economist, journalist and writer.
- Mario Briceño Iragorry (1897–1958), argued for a national cultural renovation in the 20th century.
Beauty queens
Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008
Stefanía Fernández, Miss Universe 2009
Hannelly Quintero, Miss Intercontinental 2009A-H
- Consuelo Adler, Miss International 1997
- Jacqueline Aguilera, Miss World 1995, Top Model of the World 1995
- Goizeder Azua, Miss International and Miss Mesoamérica 2003
- Marena Bencomo, first runner-up to Miss Universe 1997
- Alexandra Braun, Miss Earth 2005
- Inés María Calero, third runner-up to Miss Universe 1987
- Joan Chópite, Miss Globe International 2000
- Chiquinquirá Delgado, Miss Zulia, Miss Flower Queen 1990
- Susana Duijm, Miss World 1955
- Stefanía Fernández, Miss Universe 2009
- Daniela di Giacomo, Miss International 2006
- Astrid Carolina Herrera, Miss World 1984
I-M
- Carolina Izsak, Top sixth finalist at Miss Universe 1992
- Ly Jonaitis, second runner up to Miss Universe 2007
- Daniela Kosán, Miss Nuestra Belleza Internacional 1997, E! News Latin America host
- Ninibeth Leal, Miss World 1991
- Pilín León, Miss World 1981
- Albany Lozada, first runner-up to Miss World 1987
- Alicia Machado, Miss Universe 1996
- Silvia Martínez, third runner-up to Miss Universe 1985 and Miss South America 1985
- Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008
- Carmen María Montiel, second runner-up to Miss Universe 1984 and Miss South America 1984
- Claudia Moreno, first runner-up to Miss Universe 2000
- Elizabeth Mosquera, Miss International 2010
O-R
- Yormery Ortega, Miss Globe International 1990
- Bárbara Palacios, Miss Universe and Miss South America 1986
- Vanessa Peretti, Top 15 semifinalist at Miss International 2007
- Hannelly Quintero, Miss Intercontinental 2009, Queen of the Americas at Miss World 2008
- Emma Rabbe, Miss Hispanidad Internacional 1988, third runner-up to Miss World 1988
- Veruska Ramírez, first runner-up to Miss Universe 1998
- Ruddy Rodríguez, third runner-up to Miss World 1985
- Paola Ruggeri, Top 12 at Miss Universe 1983 and Miss South America 1983
- Mariángel Ruiz, first runner-up to Miss Universe 2003
S-Y
- Irene Sáez, Miss Universe and Miss South America 1981
- Dominika van Santen, Top Model of the World 2005
- Maritza Sayalero, Miss Universe 1979
- Nina Sicilia, Miss International 1985
- Sofía Silva, first Miss Venezuela titleholder, Miss Universe 1952 contestant
- Monica Spear, fourth runner-up to Miss Universe 2005
- Francys Sudnicka, Venezuelan-born Miss Poland 2006
- Vivian Urdaneta, Miss International 2000
- Adriana Vasini, second runner-up to Miss World 2010
- Patricia Velásquez, Miss Peninsula Goajira 1989
- Yajaira Vera, Miss Globe International 1988, Top 10 at Miss Universe 1988
- Rita Verreos, Miss Municipio Vargas 1988, Survivor: Fiji contestant
- Aída Yéspica, Miss Amazonas state 2002
Business & Law
- Gustavo Cisneros, Venezuelan-born media mogul. He is among the world's richest men according to Forbes magazine, which estimates his fortune at $6 billion.
- Lorenzo Mendoza, oversees one of Venezuela's largest private companies, $6 billion (sales) Empresas Polar.
- Eugenio Mendoza (1906–1979), was a Venezuelan business tycoon who made important contributions in the modernization of the country during the 20th Century.
- Henry Lord Boulton, is a Venezuelan aviator, entrepreneur, owner, and former owner of many businesses such as Casas Boulton, Avensa/Servivensa among others.
- Ali Lenin Aguilera, is a Venezuelan lawyer, entrepreneur.
- Carolina Herrera, fashion designer and entrepreneur who founded her eponymous company in 1980.
- Rotislav Ordovsky-Tanaevsky Blanco, entrepreneur, president of Rostik Group in Russia.
Cartoonists
Engineering
- José González-Lander (1933–2000) Head engineer for the Metro de Caracas
- Alfredo Jahn
- L. Rafael Reif, Provost of MIT
Entertainment
A-D
- Marco Aponte, actor, linguist
- Juan A. Baptista, actor
- José Bardina, actor
- Amador Bendayán, actor, entertainer, comedian
- Alexandra Braun, model
- Jacques Braunstein, Rumanian-born, Venezuelan citizen radio host
- Santiago Cabrera, actor
- Camila Canabal, television hostess
- Fernando Carrillo, actor
- Grecia Colmenares, Venezuelan-born, Argentine citizen actress
- Guillermo Dávila, actor, pop singer
- Miguel de León, actor
- Majandra Delfino, actress
- Marieh Delfino, actress
- Chiquinquirá Delgado, actress and fashion model
- Christina Dieckmann, actress, model
E-P
- Eva Ekvall, television hostess
- Gaby Espino, actress
- Lupita Ferrer, actress
- Sandro Finoglio, actor, model
- Catherine Fulop, actress, television host
- Viviana Gibelli, television host
- Cynthia Lander, beauty pageant contestant
- Jean Paul Leroux, actor
- Andrea Matthies Bornhorst, model
- Keidy Moreno, model
- Lila Morillo, actress, singer
- Carlos Olivier, actor
- Alejandro Otero, actor, model
- Renny Ottolina, television host and producer
- Enrique Palacios, model
- Vanessa Pose, actress
- Marianne Puglia, model
R-S
- Édgar Ramírez, film actor and television producer
- Veruska Ramírez, model
- Benjamín Rausseo, a.k.a. Er Conde del Guácharo, comedian
- Maricarmen Regueiro, actress
- José Luis Rodríguez, a.k.a. El Puma, singer, actor
- Mariangel Ruiz, actress, model
- Sabrina Salvador, television host
- Luis José Santander, actor
- Enrique Sapene, actor, television producer
- Daniel Sarcos, television host
- Marger Sealey, singer
- Eduardo Serrano, actor
- Sonya Smith, American-Venezuelan actress
- Verónica Schneider, actress, model
- Gabriela Spanic, actress
- Natalia Streignard, actress
- Francys Sudnicka, model
T-Z
- Coraima Torres, actress
- Orlando Urdaneta, actor
- Wilmer Valderrama, actor, television host
- Angélica Vale, actress
- Dominika van Santen, model
- Patricia Velásquez, actress, model
- Rita Verreos, beauty pageant contestant
- Doris Wells, actress
- Oscar Yanes, journalist, writer
Filmmakers
- Solveig Hoogesteijn – Santera (1994), Maroa (2005)
- Fina Torres – Oriana (1985), Mécaniques célestes (1995), Woman on Top (2000)
- Elizabeth Avellán, co-producer of "El Mariachi" (1992), Texas Film Hall of Fame, former wife of Robert Rodríguez
- Jonathan Jakubowicz – Secuestro Express (2005)
Historical
- Simón Bolívar (1783–1830), Wars of Independence leader, military commander, Father of the Nation.
- Francisco de Miranda (1750–1816), Wars of Independence leader, veteran of the U.S. and French revolutions.
- Antonio José de Sucre (1795–1830), Wars of Independence leader, Grand Marshal of Ayacucho, president of Bolivia (1826–1828), president of Peru
- José Antonio Páez (1790–1873), Wars of Independence leader, former President.
- Juan Germán Roscio (1763–1821), lawyer and politician, main editor of the Venezuelan Declaration of Independence and chief architect of the Venezuelan Constitution of 1811.
- Cristóbal Mendoza (1772–1829), considered as the First President of Venezuela.
- Rafael Urdaneta (1788–1845), Hero of the Latin American wars of independence.
- Santiago Mariño (1788–1854), hero in the Venezuelan War of Independence, and important leader of Venezuela's eastern.
- Pedro Camejo (better known as Negro Primero, or The First Black) (1790–1821), lieutenant at the Venezuelan war of independence.
- José Félix Ribas (1775–1815), leader and hero of the Venezuelan War of Independence.
- Luisa Cáceres de Arismendi (1799–1866), Heroine from the Venezuelan War of Independence
- Juan José Flores (1800–1864), founder of Ecuador and its first President.
- José Tadeo Monagas (1784–1868), hero of the Venezuelan War of Independence, and former president.
- José Gregorio Monagas (1795–1858), hero of the Venezuelan War of Independence, and former president.
- Agostino Codazzi (1793–1859), Italian born, military officer, cartographer, former governor of Barinas.
- Mariano Montilla (1782–1851), Major General of the Army of Venezuela in the Venezuelan War of Independence.
- Fernando Adames Torres (1837–1910) General of the Army during the Revolution of Coro, Senator representing Lara State and Chief of Staff
Medicine
- Baruj Benacerraf, Venezuelan born American, Nobel Prize of Medicine in (1980).
- José Gregorio Hernández, and religious figure (Catholic religion).
- Marcel Roche, physician and educator.
- José María Vargas, modernized the Medicine studies in Venezuela, in the Second half of the nineteenth century.
- Tobías Lasser, botanist, founder of the Botanic Garden of Caracas
- Humberto Fernández Morán, research scientist, founder of the Venezuelan Institute for Neurological and Brain Studies and developed the diamond scalpel.
Mountaineers
- José Antonio Delgado, first person to summit five eight-thousanders.
Musicians
A-B
- Adrenalina Caribe, Caribbean music group
- Abraham Abreu, harpsichordist and pianist.
- Aldo Abreu, Medieval-Baroque recorder executant
- José Antonio Abreu, classical musician and founder of "El Sistema".
- Vinicio Adames, choral group conductor
- Francisco de Paula Aguirre, composer
- Ricardo Aguirre, singer, songwriter
- Los Amigos Invisibles, funk music band
- Reynaldo Armas, singer, songwriter
- Fulgencio Aquino, Venezuelan harp player, composer
- The Asbestos, rock music band
- Devendra Banhart, American-Venezuelan singer, songwriter
- Huáscar Barradas, flautist, composer
- Édgar Bastidas, lyric tenor
- Carlos Baute, pop singer
- Hugo Blanco, Venezuelan harp player, songwriter
- Soledad Bravo, singer
- Benjamín Brea, Spaniard-Venezuelan saxophonist, flautist
- Vytas Brenner, keyboardist, songwriter
- Humberto Bruni Lamanna, classical guitarist
- Andrea Burns, American-Venezuelan singer
C-D
- Candy 66, Rock Band
- Calle Ciega, reggaeton music band
- Los Cañoneros, Venezuelan traditional music group
- Caramelos de Cianuro, rock band
- Rudy Cárdenas, singer
- Ramon Carranza, saxophonist, teacher
- Teresa Carreño, 19th century pianist
- Evencio Castellanos, classical pianist
- Mirla Castellanos, singer
- José Catire Carpio, folk music singer
- Inocente Carreño, classical composer, conductor, pianist
- Rubén Cedeño, musician, writer
- María Teresa Chacín, singer
- Los Chamos, pop music group
- Ilan Chester, singer, songwriter
- Chino & Nacho, reggaeton music duo
- Collegium Musicum de Caracas, classical music group
- Vidal Colmenares, joropo singer
- Juan de los Santos Contreras, a.k.a. El Carrao de Palmarito, folk music singer
- Guillermo Dávila, pop singer
- Desorden Público, ska music band
- Franco De Vita, pop singer, songwriter
- Alirio Díaz, classical guitarist
- Simón Díaz, songwriter
- Dimensión Latina, salsa music group
- Oscar D'León, salsa music singer
- Rubén Domínguez, lyric tenor
- Gustavo Dudamel, classical conductor
E-J
- Ensamble Gurrufío, folk music instrumental group
- Antonio Estévez, classical composer
- Pedro Eustache, flautist
- Maria Gabriela de Faría, singer
- Heraclio Fernández, composer
- Ignacio Figueredo, folk musician
- Billo Frómeta, Dominican-born Venezuelan arranger, conductor, songwriter
- Otilio Galíndez, composer
- Hernán Gamboa, Venezuelan cuatro player
- Gran Coquivacoa, Venezuelan gaita music group
- Guaco, Caribbean music band
- Pedro Elías Gutiérrez, composer, conductor
- Reynaldo Hahn, Venezuelan, naturalised French classical composer
- Lorenzo Herrera, singer, songwriter
- Enrique Hidalgo, songwriter
- Huracán de Fuego, drums ensemble group
- Cheo Hurtado, Venezuelan cuatro player
- Gualberto Ibarreto, singer
- Jorge Isaac, Medieval-Baroque recorder executant
- Jeremías, British-born Venezuelan singer, songwriter
- Porfirio Jiménez, Dominican-born Venezuelan arranger, conductor, songwriter
- Guillermo Jiménez Leal, musician, singer, songwriter
K-N
- Hany Kauam, musician, singer
- José Ángel Lamas, classical composer
- Luis Alfonzo Larrain, arranger, composer, conductor
- Antonio Lauro, composer, guitarist
- Anselmo López, Venezuelan bandola performer
- Ángel Custodio Loyola, folk music singer
- Natalia Luis-Bassa, classical conductor
- Maracaibo 15, Venezuelan gaita music group
- Floria Márquez, singer
- Mayré Martínez, pop singer, songwriter
- Eduardo Marturet, classical conductor
- Francisco Mata, folk music singer, songwriter
- Laudelino Mejías, composer
- Los Melódicos, Latin music dance band
- Conny Méndez, composer, singer, writer
- Armando Molero, singer, songwriter
- Moisés Moleiro, classical composer
- Ricardo Montaner, singer, songwriter
- José Ángel Montero, opera composer
- Morella Muñoz, lyric mezzo-soprano
- Alberto Naranjo, arranger, conductor
- Graciela Naranjo, bolero singer, film actress
O-R
- Ojo Fatuo, electronic rock music group
- Orfeón Lamas, choral music group
- Orquesta Sinfónica Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho, symphony orchestra
- Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar, symphony orchestra
- Orquesta Sinfónica Venezuela, symphony orchestra
- Francisco Pacheco, folk music singer
- Eneas Perdomo, joropo singer, songwriter
- Iván Pérez Rossi, musician, singer
- Juan Bautista Plaza, classical musician
- Alí Primera, singer, songwriter
- Pancho Prin, folk music singer, songwriter
- Edward Pulgar, classical violinist, conductor
- Quinteto Contrapunto, folk music vocal group
- Ana María Raga, choral group conductor, composer, pianist
- Luis Felipe Ramón y Rivera, composer, investigator, musician, writer
- Victor Ramos Rangel, classical musician
- Rudy Regalado, bandleader and percussionist
- Fredy Reyna, Venezuelan cuatro player
- Rodrigo Riera, classical guitarist
- Rafael Rincón González, singer, songwriter
- Pedro Antonio Ríos Reyna, classical musician
- María Rivas, singer
- Luis Mariano Rivera, songwriter
- María Rodríguez, folk music singer
- Aldemaro Romero, arranger, composer, conductor, pianist
- Otmaro Ruíz, jazz and Latin music pianist, composer
S-Z
- Alfredo Sadel, singer, songwriter
- Rodolfo Saglimbeni, classical conductor
- Juan Carlos Salazar, musician, singer, songwriter
- Magdalena Sánchez, joropo singer
- Anthony Sandoval, singer, songwriter
- Chucho Sanoja, arranger, conductor, pianist, songwriter
- José Enrique Sarabia, songwriter
- Ángel Sauce, classical musician
- Serenata Guayanesa, folk music vocal and instrumental group
- Eduardo Serrano, musician, songwriter
- Vicente Emilio Sojo, classical musician
- Henry Stephen, singer
- Mario Suárez, singer
- Los Terrícolas, pop rock music vocal and instrumental group
- Ender Thomas, singer, songwriter
- Todosantos, indie and Latin music band
- Juan Vicente Torrealba, Venezuelan harp player, composer
- El Trabuco Venezolano, Latin jazz and salsa music big band
- Saúl Vera, Venezuelan bandola player, composer
- Verona, rock music vocal and instrumental group
- Voz Veis, pop music vocal sextet
- Gerry Weil, jazz pianist, composer
- ZAPATO 3, rock music vocal and instrumental group
Politicians
See also: List of Presidents of Venezuela- Rómulo Betancourt (1908–1981), former President, founder of AD
- Jóvito Villalba (1908–1981), founder of URD.
- Douglas Bravo (born 1923), former guerrilla leader, politician.
- Rafael Caldera (1916–2009), former President (1969–1974 and 1994–1999), founder of COPEI.
- Pedro Carmona (born 1941), former Head of Fedecámaras, former President (2002).
- Cipriano Castro (1858–1924), former President (1899–1908).
- Hugo Chávez (born 1954), current President (1999).
- Juan Crisóstomo Falcón (1820–1870), former President.
- Rómulo Gallegos (1884–1969), former President, Minister of Education, Congressman, Mayor of Caracas, and writer.
- Juan Vicente Gómez (1857–1935), former President (1908–1935).
- Antonio Guzmán Blanco (1829–1899), former President.
- Wolfgang Larrazábal (1911–2003), military officer, former President (1958–1959)
- Eleazar López Contreras (1883–1973), General, former President.
- Isaías Medina Angarita (1897–1953), military officer, former President.
- Marcos Pérez Jiménez (1914–2001), military officer, former President.
- Carlos Andrés Pérez (born 1922), former President (1974–1979) and (1989–1993).
- Teodoro Petkoff (born 1932)), former guerrilla fighter and cabinet minister, journalist.
- José Vicente Rangel (born 1929), journalist, politician.
- Alí Rodríguez Araque (born 1937), diplomat, cabinet minister.
- Ali Lenin Aguilera (born 1967), Youngest Venezuelan congressperson and businessman
- Irene Sáez (born 1961), former mayor of Chacao and governor of Nueva Esparta, Miss Universe 1981 winner.
- Juan Manuel Sucre Figarella (1925–1996), General, businessman.
Science
- Humberto Fernández Morán, inventor of the diamond scalpel.
- Carlota Perez, technology scholar and economist
- William H. Phelps, Jr., ornithologist and founder of Radio Caracas Televisión.
- Manuel Blum, winner of the Turing Award
Sports
- Gustavo Avila, is a retired jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing.
- Johnny Cecotto, Moto and Race Car Driver
- Ivan Palazzese, Moto Race Driver
- Bobby Abreu, Major League Baseball player
- Jimy Szymanski, tennis
- Luis Aparicio, retired Major League Baseball player, Hall of Fame member
- Juan Arango, soccer player
- Tony Armas, retired Major League Baseball player
- Tony Armas, Jr., Major League Baseball player
- Serge Blanco, Rugby Union player
- Miguel Cabrera, Major League Baseball player
- Miguel Cairo, Major League Baseball Player
- Alex Carrasquel, Major League Baseball player
- Alejandro Carrasquel, former Major League Baseball player
- Chico Carrasquel, Major League Baseball player
- Dave Concepción, retired Major League Baseball player
- Vic Davalillo, Major League Baseball player
- Pompeyo Davalillo, Major League Baseball player
- Bo Diaz, retired Major League Baseball player
- Luis "Lumumba" Estaba, World champion boxer
- Alvaro Espinoza Major League Baseball Player
- Andrés Galarraga, retired Major League Baseball player
- Betulio González, World champion boxing|boxer
- Carlos Guillén, Major League Baseball player
- Ozzie Guillén, Major League Baseball manager and former player
- Félix Hernández, Major League Baseball player
- Ramon Hernandez, Major League Baseball player
- Carl Herrera, NBA player
- Cesar Izturis, Major League Baseball player
- Wilfredo Ledezma, Major League Baseball player
- Jorge Linares, boxer, currently WBC world champion.
- Jose Celestino Lopez, Major League Baseball player
- Pastor Maldonado, Formula 1 driver
- Melvin Mora, Major League Baseball player
- Alejandro Moreno Soccer player.
- Alexander Muñoz,boxer, currently WBA world champion.
- Magglio Ordóñez, Major League Baseball player
- Yaxeni Oriquen, IFBB pro female bodybuilder & reigning Ms. Olympia
- Richard Paez Coach of the national soccer team.
- Lorenzo Parra, boxer
- Nicolas Pereira,Tennis Player, ESPN Commentator
- Chucho Ramos, Major League Baseball player
- José Rujano, cyclist
- Johan Santana, Major League Baseball player, two time Cy Young Award winner
- Manny Sarmiento, retired Major League Baseball player
- Giovanni Savarese soccer player.
- Luis Sojo Major League Baseball Player and Minor League Manager
- César Tovar, Major League Baseball player
- Manny Trillo, Major League Baseball player
- Ugueth Urbina, Major League Baseball player
- Edwin Valero, deceased boxer, super featherweight and lightweight world champion.
- Greivis Vasquez, NCAA basketball player
- Rafael Vidal, competitive swimmer
- Ernesto José Viso, F1 racing-car driver
- Omar Vizquel, Major League Baseball player
- Carlos Zambrano, Major League Baseball player
- Amleto Monacelli, is a renowned ten-pin bowler and owner of 19 titles on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour.
- Ramon A. Dominguez, is a jockey competing in Thoroughbred horse racing in the United States.
- Javier Castellano, is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.
- Eibar Coa, is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.
- Óscar Torres. is a Venezuelan professional basketball player.
- Milka Duno, Race Car Driver.
- Cesar Baena, Cross Country Skier.
See also
Categories:- Venezuelan people
- Lists of people by nationality
- Venezuela-related lists
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