22 historically significant individuals born on April 19. April 19 is the birth date of various notable individuals in politics, arts, and literature. Spanish dramatist and Nobel Prize winner José Echegaray was born in 1832, Brazilian president Getúlio Vargas in 1882, and Colombian artist Fernando Botero in 1932. Political leaders born on this date include Joseph Estrada in 1937, former president of the Philippines, and Ali Khamenei in 1939, Supreme Leader of Iran.
Total Born
22
Countries
15
Top Century
20th· 15
Top Field
politician
3 individuals
Headline Figures
scientist
James J. Heckman
1944 – PresentNobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (2000)
scientist
Glenn T. Seaborg
1912 – 1999Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1951)
Islamic jurist
Ali Khamenei
1939 – 2026Iranian Shia cleric who served as the second Supreme Leader of Iran from 1989 until his death in 2026, wielding ultimate political and religious authority in the Islamic Republic.
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (15)
19th (6)
18th C.20th C.
20th Century
15Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
James J. Heckman
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (2000)
Glenn T. Seaborg
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1951)
Ali Khamenei
Islamic juristpoet
Iranian Shia cleric who served as the second Supreme Leader of Iran from 1989 until his death in 2026, wielding ultimate political and religious authority in the Islamic Republic.
Gustavo Petro
economistenvironmentalist
Former guerrilla fighter and left-wing politician who became Colombia's first leftist president when elected in 2022.
Fernando Botero
architectural draftspersondraftsperson
Sculptor and painter famous worldwide for his exaggerated, voluminous figures that celebrate Latin American culture and identity.
Hayden Christensen
actorfilm actor
Canadian actor best known for portraying Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episodes II and III.
Rivaldo
association football player
Brazilian attacking midfielder and forward who won the 1999 Ballon d'Or and was key to Brazil's 2002 World Cup victory. He played for Barcelona, AC Milan, and other top European clubs.
Héctor Herrera
association football player
Mexican midfielder who has played for clubs including FC Porto and Atlético Madrid, and represented Mexico in multiple World Cups.
Mukesh Ambani
businesspersonentrepreneur
Chairman of Reliance Industries and Asia's richest person, who built the world's largest oil refining complex and expanded into telecommunications and retail.
Alexis Argüello
boxerpolitician
Nicaraguan professional boxer who held world championships in three weight divisions and was later elected mayor of Managua. He died in 2009 under disputed circumstances.
Maria Sharapova
diplomatmodel
Russian tennis player who won five Grand Slam singles titles and held the world No. 1 ranking. She achieved a career Grand Slam and was one of the highest-paid female athletes before retiring in 2020.
Joseph Estrada
actorpolitician
Former action film star who served as president of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001 before being removed from office through impeachment proceedings.
Gad Elmaleh
cabaret performerdirector
Moroccan-born comedian and actor who became one of France's most popular stand-up performers, known for his observational humor about cultural differences and starring in films like 'The Other Guys' and 'Midnight in Paris'.
RS
Roy Smith
association football coachassociation football player
Costa Rican defender and current football coach who played for the national team and several domestic clubs.
Dmytro Kuleba
diplomatforeign minister
Career diplomat who served as Ukraine's Foreign Minister from 2020 to 2024, leading international efforts to build support during the Russian invasion.
19th Century
6Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Getúlio Vargas
lawyerpolitician
Brazilian politician who ruled the country for 15 years as both dictator (1930-1945) and elected president (1951-1954). He modernized Brazil's economy and established major labor laws.
José Echegaray
civil engineereconomist
Spanish playwright (1832-1916)
Osório Duque-Estrada
diplomatjournalist
Brazilian poet, literary critic, teacher, librarian and essayist (1870-1927)
Joaquim José da França Júnior
dramaturgejournalist
Brazilian playwright, journalist and, initially, a painter (1838-1890)
Leona Florentino
poetwriter
Filipino writer (1849-1884)
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Luis Jorge Fontana
explorergeographer
Argentine Army officer, explorer, writer (1846–1920)
18th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Charles d'Amondans de Tinseau
mathematicianmilitary engineer
French mathematician and military personnel
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on April 19?
Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran since 1989, is likely the most internationally recognized figure born on April 19, 1939. Other notable births on April 19 include Brazilian president Getúlio Vargas (1882) and Colombian artist Fernando Botero (1932).
What political leaders were born on April 19?
Several major political figures share April 19 as their birthday, including Ali Khamenei (Supreme Leader of Iran), Getúlio Vargas (former President of Brazil), and Joseph Estrada (former President of the Philippines). These leaders have been influential across three different continents.
Are there any artists or writers born on April 19?
Yes, Fernando Botero, the Colombian painter and sculptor known for his distinctive voluminous figures, was born on April 19, 1932. José Echegaray, a Spanish dramatist and Nobel Prize winner in Literature, was also born on this date in 1832.