26 historically significant individuals born on February 22. February 22 is the birth date of several notable individuals. Among them are George Washington (1732), the first President of the United States, and Spanish filmmaker Luis Buñuel (1900), noted for his surrealist cinema. Other births on this date include Estonian statesman Konstantin Päts (1874), Venezuelan political leader Rómulo Betancourt (1908), and Burmese warlord Khun Sa (1934).
Total Born
26
Countries
22
Top Century
20th· 16
Top Field
journalist
4 individuals
Headline Figures
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (16)
19th (5)
14th C.20th C.
20th Century
16Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
J. Michael Bishop
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1989)
Renato Dulbecco
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1975)
Steve Irwin
environmentalistexplorer
Wildlife conservationist and television personality known as 'The Crocodile Hunter' who educated millions about dangerous animals through his fearless documentary work.
Horst Köhler
economistpolitician
German economist and CDU politician who served as President of Germany from 2004 to 2010. He resigned from office citing media criticism of his handling of the financial crisis.
Brian Laudrup
association football playerfutsal player
Danish winger who won the 1992 European Championship and played for clubs including Bayern Munich, AC Milan, and Rangers. He scored 21 goals in 82 appearances for the Danish national team between 1987 and 1998.
Alexander Merkel
association football player
Professional footballer who represented both Germany and Kazakhstan at international level, playing as a midfielder for various European clubs.
Rómulo Betancourt
journalistlawyer
Rómulo Betancourt served as Venezuela's president from 1959 to 1964 and is credited with establishing the country's democratic system and the "Betancourt Doctrine" of non-recognition of dictatorships.
Karim Findi
journalistwriter
Iraqi journalist and writer known for his literary works and contributions to Arabic journalism. He has worked as a correspondent and author covering Middle Eastern affairs.
Lea Salonga
actorcolumnist
Tony Award-winning Filipino singer and actress who originated the role of Kim in Miss Saigon and provided the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Disney's Aladdin.
Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh
diplomatjudge
International Court of Justice judge who served as Prime Minister of Jordan from 2011 to 2012 during the Arab Spring protests.
Khun Sa
drug lordentrepreneur
Shan warlord who controlled much of the Golden Triangle's opium trade from the 1970s to 1990s as leader of the Mong Tai Army.
Kais Saied
juristpolitician
President of Tunisia since 2019 and former constitutional law professor. He suspended parliament and dismissed the prime minister in 2021, consolidating executive power.
Branislav Ivanović
association football player
Former Serbian defender who played primarily for Chelsea FC, winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2012. He earned 105 caps for the Serbian national team.
Rebecca Cheptegei
long-distance runnermarathon runner
Marathon runner who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics and was tragically murdered by her partner in Kenya shortly after the Games.
Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli
politician
Leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) who has served as Prime Minister multiple times since 2015. Known for his pro-China stance and role in Nepal's communist politics.
Larissa Riquelme
model
Paraguayan model who gained international fame during the 2010 World Cup and has appeared in various television shows and advertising campaigns.
19th Century
5Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Konstantin Päts
journalistjurist
Estonian politician (1874–1956)
Alfredo d'Escragnolle Taunay
engineerhistorian
Brazilian writer, musician, professor, military engineer, historian, politician, sociologist and nobleman (1843-1899)
John Langalibalele Dube
journalistpoet
South African philosopher, educator, politician, publisher, editor, novelist, and poet (1871-1946)
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Léon Vanderkindere
historianpolitician
Belgian historian (1842-1906)
Luis Buñuel
actorcomposer
Spanish-Mexican filmmaker (1900–1983)
18th Century
3Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Adolphe Quetelet
astronomerbotanist
Belgian astronomer, mathematician, statistician and sociologist (1796-1874)
Jean Charles Athanase Peltier
meteorologistphysicist
French physicist (1785-1845)
George Washington
army officercartographer
Founding Father and first U.S. president; soldier and slave owner (1732–1799)
17th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Johann Leonhard Rost
astronomerwriter
German astronomer (1688-1727)
14th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Sigismund
monarch
Monarch from the House of Luxemburg
Explore More for February 22
Discover historical events and other data for this day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on February 22?
George Washington, the first President of the United States and a founding father, is widely considered the most famous person born on February 22, 1732. His leadership during the American Revolution and role in establishing the new nation makes him a pivotal historical figure.
What celebrities were born on February 22?
Notable individuals born on February 22 include George Washington (1732), Spanish filmmaker Luis Buñuel (1900), and Venezuelan president Rómulo Betancourt (1908). Estonian statesman Konstantin Päts (1874) and warlord Khun Sa (1934) also share this birth date.
Are there any world leaders born on February 22?
Yes, several world leaders were born on February 22, including George Washington, Konstantin Päts, and Rómulo Betancourt. This date is shared by leaders who influenced their nations' histories across various regions and eras.