Victor Hugo
1802 – 1885French Romantic writer who authored "Les Misérables" and "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame," two of literature's most celebrated novels.
Famous Birthdays on February 26
13 notable people were born on February 26.
February 26 is the birth date of thirteen notable individuals throughout history across various fields. Prominent figures born on this day include French author Victor Hugo, born in 1802 and famous for "Les Misérables" and "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame," and Nobel Prize-winning chemist Ahmed Zewail, born in 1946, who made breakthroughs in femtochemistry. Royalty born on this date includes Ferdinand I of Bulgaria, born in 1861, and Talal I of Jordan, born in 1909. Influential fashion designer Azzedine Alaïa, born in 1935, also shares this birthday.
19th Century2 people
Ferdinand I of Bulgaria
1861 – 1948Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha who became Tsar of Bulgaria in 1908 and ruled until his abdication in 1918.
20th Century10 people
Helen Clark
1950New Zealand politician who served as Prime Minister from 1999 to 2008, later becoming Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme from 2009 to 2017.
Ahmet Davutoğlu
1959Turkish academic and politician who served as Prime Minister from 2014 to 2016 and developed the 'Strategic Depth' doctrine as Foreign Minister.
James Wan
1977Malaysian-born filmmaker who created the 'Saw' horror franchise and directed major blockbusters including 'Aquaman' and 'Fast & Furious 7'.
Ahmed Zewail
1946 – 2016Egyptian-American chemist who won the 1999 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering work in femtochemistry using ultrafast lasers.
Kazuyoshi Miura
1967Japanese striker known as 'King Kazu' who became the oldest professional footballer to score a goal at age 50 and has played professionally for over four decades.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
1954Turkish politician who has served as President of Turkey since 2014, previously serving as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2014.
Pepe
1983Portuguese defender who played for Real Madrid and the Portugal national team, winning the UEFA European Championship in 2016.
association football playerPortugal
Azzedine Alaïa
1935 – 2017Tunisian-French fashion designer renowned for his figure-hugging designs and nicknamed the "King of Cling." He dressed celebrities including Tina Turner, Madonna, and Naomi Campbell.
grand couturierFrance
Juraj Kucka
1987Slovak defensive midfielder who has earned over 100 caps for the national team and played for major clubs including AC Milan and Watford. He is known for his work rate and versatility in midfield.
association football playerSlovakia
Talal I of Jordan
1909 – 1972King of Jordan for only 11 months (1951-1952) before being declared mentally unfit to rule and forced to abdicate in favor of his son Hussein.
sovereignJordan
21st Century1 person
Bibisara Assaubayeva
2004Kazakhstani chess player who became the youngest chess grandmaster in Kazakhstan's history at age 17 and won multiple international junior championships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on February 26?
Victor Hugo, the French author known for 'Les Misérables' and 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,' is widely regarded as the most famous person born on February 26, 1802. His works continue to be adapted into films, musicals, and other media.
Which royalty was born on February 26?
Ferdinand I of Bulgaria, born in 1861, ruled as Tsar of Bulgaria. Talal I of Jordan, born in 1909, was King of Jordan. Both monarchs had significant roles in their countries' modern histories.
Are there any Nobel Prize winners born on February 26?
Yes, Ahmed Zewail, born on February 26, 1946, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1999 for his work in femtochemistry. The Egyptian-American scientist advanced our understanding of chemical reactions at the molecular level.