List of Latin Americans

This is a list of notable Latin American people, in alphabetical order within categories.

Actors

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 Saldaña (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

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

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
Brazil Hans 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Athletics to Cycling

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

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)

Combat sport

Boxing

Nicaragua Rosendo Álvarez (born 1970), World Champion
Nicaragua Alexis Argüello (born 1952), World Champion, 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
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
Mexico Canelo Álvarez (born 1990), World Champion

Mixed martial arts

Mexico Jessica Aguilar (born 1980), World Champion
Brazil José Aldo (born 1986), World Champion
Mexico Brandon Moreno (born 1993), World Champion
Brazil Cris Cyborg (born 1985), World Champion
Mexico Alexa Grasso (born 1993), World Champion
Brazil Amanda Nunes (born 1988), World Champion
Brazil Alex Pereira (born 1986), World Champion
Mexico Yair Rodríguez (born 1992), World Champion
Brazil Anderson Silva (born 1975), World Champion

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

Football (soccer)

Uruguay Edinson Cavani (born 1987)
Peru Teófilo Cubillas (born 1949)
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
Uruguay Óscar Míguez (1927–2006)
Argentina Lionel Messi (born 1987), 6x World Footballer of the Year
Brazil Neymar (born 1992)
Brazil Rivaldo (born 1972)
Brazil Romário (born 1966)
Brazil Ronaldinho (born 1980)
Brazil Ronaldo (born 1976)
Brazil Pelé (born 1940), co-winner FIFA Player of the 20th Century, Named athlete of the 20th century
Uruguay Luis Suárez (born 1987)

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)

Writers

See also List of Latin American writers (by country).

A-L

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

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

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