Édith Piaf
1915 – 1963French cabaret singer known as "The Little Sparrow" who became famous for passionate performances of songs like "La Vie en rose."
Famous Birthdays on December 19
12 notable people were born on December 19.
December 19 marks the birth of several notable individuals in politics, science, and the arts. Born on this day are Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus (1594), physicist Mileva Marić (1875), French singer Édith Piaf (1915), Indian president Pratibha Patil (1934), and South Korean president Lee Myung-bak (1941). These figures, spanning multiple centuries, highlight human achievements in European monarchy, scientific research, and cultural contributions.
20th Century10 people
Richard Leakey
1944 – 2022Kenyan paleoanthropologist and conservationist who discovered significant early human fossils and later served as head of Kenya Wildlife Service.
Lee Myung-bak
1941Former businessman who served as South Korea's president from 2008 to 2013, focusing on economic growth and closer ties with the United States.
Ryan Babel
1986Dutch winger who played for Liverpool, Hoffenheim, and the Netherlands national team, known for his pace and ability to play on either flank.
association football playerNetherlands
Alexis Sánchez
1988Versatile forward who scored over 50 goals for Chile's national team and was key to their Copa América victories in 2015 and 2016. He has played for Arsenal, Barcelona, and Inter Milan.
association football playerChile
Mbaye Niang
1994Forward who represented both France youth teams and Senegal's senior national team, playing for clubs including AC Milan and Rennes.
association football playerSenegal
Arvydas Sabonis
1964Hall of Fame basketball player who starred for the Soviet Union, Lithuania national team, and Portland Trail Blazers, widely considered one of the greatest European players ever.
basketball playerLithuania
Pratibha Patil
1934First woman to serve as President of India, holding office from 2007 to 2012 after a career as a lawyer and politician in Maharashtra.
Jasmila Žbanić
1974Internationally acclaimed filmmaker whose war drama 'Quo Vadis, Aida?' about the Srebrenica massacre was nominated for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in 2021.
Aziza Mustafa Zadeh
1969Jazz pianist and composer who blends traditional Azerbaijani music with contemporary jazz, winning international acclaim and multiple UNESCO prizes for her innovative compositions.
16th Century1 person
Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden
1594 – 1632Swedish king who transformed Sweden into a major European power through military innovations and victories in the Thirty Years' War before dying at the Battle of Lützen.
military leaderSweden
19th Century1 person
Mileva Marić
1875 – 1948Serbian physicist and mathematician who was Albert Einstein's first wife from 1903 to 1919. She studied at ETH Zurich and may have collaborated on some of Einstein's early theoretical work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on December 19?
Édith Piaf, the French singer known as 'The Little Sparrow,' was born on December 19, 1915. Her powerful voice and emotional performances made her an icon of French music.
Which historical rulers were born on December 19?
Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden was born on December 19, 1594, and became a successful military commander during the Thirty Years' War. Lee Myung-bak, born on December 19, 1941, was President of South Korea from 2008 to 2013.
Are there any famous women scientists born on December 19?
Mileva Marić, born on December 19, 1875, was a Serbian physicist and mathematician and Albert Einstein's first wife. She was among the first women to study physics at the Swiss Federal Polytechnic and may have contributed to some of Einstein's early work.