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Famous Birthdays on August 12

16 notable people were born on August 12.

August 12 is the birth date of 16 notable individuals across various fields. Prominent figures born on this day include Nobel Prize-winning physicist Erwin Schrödinger (1887), known for his work in quantum mechanics, and Spanish playwright Jacinto Benavente (1866), who received the Nobel Prize in Literature. Singapore's first president Yusof bin Ishak (1910) and Mexican comedian Cantinflas (1911) were also born on this date.

19th Century2 people

Erwin Schrödinger

Erwin Schrödinger

1887 – 1961

Austrian physicist who developed wave mechanics and formulated the Schrödinger equation, winning the 1933 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to quantum theory.

mathematiciannon-fiction writerphysicistAustria
Jacinto Benavente

Jacinto Benavente

1866 – 1954

Spanish playwright and Nobel Prize winner in Literature (1922), known for his realistic dramas and social comedies.

film directorjournalistplaywrightSpain

20th Century14 people

Yusof bin Ishak

Yusof bin Ishak

1910 – 1970

Singapore's first President from 1965 to 1970 and the country's first head of state after independence. He was a prominent journalist and founding member of the United Malays National Organisation before joining Singapore politics.

journalistpoliticianSingapore
Carlos Mesa

Carlos Mesa

1953

Journalist and historian who served as Vice President (2002-2003) then President of Bolivia (2003-2005) after Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada's resignation during civil unrest.

historianjournalistpoliticianBolivia
Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq

Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq

1924 – 1988

Pakistani military general who ruled as President from 1977-1988 after overthrowing Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, implementing Islamic laws and supporting the Afghan mujahideen during the Soviet-Afghan War.

military officerpoliticianPakistan
George Soros

George Soros

1930

Hungarian-American billionaire investor known for currency speculation, including breaking the Bank of England in 1992, and for funding democratic movements worldwide through his Open Society Foundations.

bankerbusiness magnateeconomistHungary
Sirikit

Sirikit

1932 – 2025

Queen Consort of Thailand for 66 years until 2016, known for her charitable work and support of traditional Thai arts.

environmentalistmilitary officerpianistThailand
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

1983

Dutch striker known for his clinical finishing who played for Ajax, Real Madrid, and Schalke 04 throughout his career.

association football coachassociation football playerNetherlands
Cantinflas

Cantinflas

1911 – 1993

Mexican comedian and actor who became one of Latin America's most beloved entertainers, starring in over 50 films. His character 'Cantinflas' was known for rapid-fire dialogue and social satire, earning him global recognition including a Golden Globe.

film actormusicianstage actorMexico

Benjamin Sheares

1907 – 1981

Singapore's second President from 1971 to 1981, who was a prominent obstetrician and gynecologist before entering politics. He established Singapore's first fertility clinic and served as president of the Asia-Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

gynecologistpoliticianSingapore
François Hollande

François Hollande

1954

French Socialist politician who served as President of France from 2012 to 2017, succeeding Nicolas Sarkozy.

anciens cadresmagistrateofficialFrance
Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli

1990

Italian striker known for his powerful shots and controversial personality, who played for top clubs including Manchester City, AC Milan, and Liverpool.

association football playerItaly
Ewa Farna

Ewa Farna

1993

Polish-Czech pop singer who gained fame as a teenager and has released multiple platinum albums while also working as a television presenter and actress.

actordancermodelPoland
Tanita Tikaram

Tanita Tikaram

1969

British singer-songwriter of Fijian-Indian and Malaysian descent, known for her 1988 hit "Twist in My Sobriety."

composermusiciansingerUnited Kingdom
Mizengo Pinda

Mizengo Pinda

1948

Prime Minister of Tanzania from 2008 to 2012 and former Attorney General who played a key role in constitutional reforms.

juristministerpoliticianTanzania
Sushil Koirala

Sushil Koirala

1939 – 2016

Prime Minister of Nepal from 2014 to 2015 and leader of the Nepali Congress party. He played a significant role in promulgating Nepal's new constitution in 2015.

politicianNepal

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the most famous person born on August 12?
Erwin Schrödinger, the Austrian physicist born on August 12, 1887, is well known internationally for his work in quantum mechanics and the Schrödinger's cat thought experiment. Cantinflas, the Mexican comedian born in 1911, is also widely celebrated, especially in Latin America and among Spanish-speaking audiences.
What Nobel Prize winner was born on August 12?
Two Nobel Prize winners share this birth date: Erwin Schrödinger, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1933 for his quantum mechanics work, and Jacinto Benavente, awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1922 for his contributions to Spanish drama.
Are there any presidents or political leaders born on August 12?
Yes, two political leaders from Singapore were born on August 12: Yusof bin Ishak in 1910, Singapore's first President, and Benjamin Sheares in 1907, the country's second President.