Catherine of Aragon
1485 – 1536Spanish princess who became the first wife of King Henry VIII of England, whose marriage annulment led to England's break with the Catholic Church.
Famous Birthdays on December 16
9 notable people were born on December 16.
December 16 marks the birth of several notable historical figures in various fields, including royalty, literature, and cinema. Catherine of Aragon, born in 1485, was King Henry VIII's first wife. Belgian monarch Leopold I was born in 1790. Philosopher George Santayana arrived in 1863. Renowned science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke was born in 1917, and Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann in 1938.
15th Century1 person
20th Century6 people
Arthur C. Clarke
1917 – 2008Science fiction author who wrote '2001: A Space Odyssey' and formulated Clarke's three laws, including that 'any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.'
Zara Larsson
1997Swedish pop singer who gained international recognition with hits like "Lush Life" and "Never Forget You" after winning Talang in 2008 at age 10.
Liv Ullmann
1938Norwegian actress and film director who starred in many Ingmar Bergman films and received multiple Academy Award nominations.
Benny Andersson
1946Swedish musician and composer best known as a member of ABBA and for co-creating the musicals Chess, Mamma Mia!, and Kristina från Duvemåla.
Mame Biram Diouf
1987Forward who played for Manchester United and Stoke City, representing Senegal in World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
association football playerSenegal
Stanislav Šesták
1982Slovak striker who scored over 100 career goals and later transitioned into coaching after his playing career.
19th Century1 person
George Santayana
1863 – 1952Spanish-American philosopher and writer known for his aphorism "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" and his influential work on aesthetics and culture.
18th Century1 person
Leopold I of Belgium
1790 – 1865German prince from the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha who became the first King of the Belgians in 1831, establishing the modern Belgian monarchy.
aristocratGermany
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on December 16?
Arthur C. Clarke, the science fiction author of '2001: A Space Odyssey,' is likely the most internationally recognized person born on December 16. Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of King Henry VIII, is also well-known for her role in English history.
What celebrities were born on December 16?
Notable celebrities born on December 16 include Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann, known for her work in Ingmar Bergman films and receiving two Academy Award nominations. Philosopher George Santayana and science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke are also figures born on this date.
Are there any royalty or historical figures born on December 16?
Yes, Catherine of Aragon, the Spanish princess who became Queen of England as Henry VIII's first wife, was born on December 16, 1485. Leopold I of Belgium, the first King of Belgium from 1831 to 1865, was also born on this date in 1790.