Oscar II of Sweden
1829 – 1907King of Sweden from 1872 to 1907 and Norway from 1872 to 1905, his reign ended when Norway peacefully gained independence through dissolution of the union.
monarchSweden
Famous Birthdays on January 21
10 notable people were born on January 21.
January 21 marks the birth date of several prominent figures from various eras. Notable individuals born on this day include Oscar II of Sweden (1829), who ruled both Sweden and Norway, opera singer Plácido Domingo (1941), Vietnamese politician Trương Tấn Sang (1949), and basketball player Hakeem Olajuwon (1963). These individuals have made contributions to monarchy, performing arts, politics, and professional sports.
19th Century1 person
20th Century8 people
Plácido Domingo
1941Spanish tenor and conductor who has performed in over 150 opera roles and conducted major opera houses worldwide, considered one of the greatest operatic artists of his generation.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
1989Armenian midfielder who has played for top European clubs including Manchester United, Arsenal, and AS Roma, and captains the Armenia national football team.
association football playerArmenia
Hakeem Olajuwon
1963Nigerian-born basketball center who played 18 seasons in the NBA, primarily with the Houston Rockets. He won two NBA championships and is considered one of the greatest defensive players in basketball history.
basketball playerNigeria
Nguyễn Công Phượng
1995Vietnamese forward who became the national team's captain and leading scorer, known for his pace and finishing ability in both domestic and international competitions.
association football playerVietnam
Pervis Estupiñán
1998Left-back defender who plays for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League and is a regular starter for Ecuador's national team.
association football playerEcuador
Reinildo Mandava
1994Professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Atlético Madrid and the Mozambique national team.
association football playerMozambique
Trương Tấn Sang
1949Vietnamese politician who served as the 7th President of Vietnam from 2011 to 2016, having previously been Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City's Communist Party Committee.
politicianVietnam
Alfred Jermaniš
1967Former Slovenian goalkeeper who played professionally in the 1990s and 2000s before transitioning to coaching roles.
21st Century1 person
Hannibal Mejbri
2003Professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Tunisia national team and has represented France at youth levels.
association football playerTunisia
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on January 21?
Plácido Domingo, born on January 21, 1941, is a renowned Spanish opera singer. He is one of the most celebrated tenors in opera history with performances in major opera houses worldwide.
What famous basketball player was born on January 21?
Hakeem Olajuwon, a Hall of Fame basketball center, was born on January 21, 1963. He led the Houston Rockets to two NBA championships and is considered one of the greatest centers in basketball history.
Are there any royalty or political leaders born on January 21?
Yes, Oscar II of Sweden was born on January 21, 1829, and was King of Sweden and Norway. Trương Tấn Sang, President of Vietnam from 2011 to 2016, was also born on this date in 1949.