U Thant
1909 – 1974Burmese diplomat who served as the third Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1961 to 1971, overseeing the organization during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Suez Canal crisis.
Famous Birthdays on January 22
10 notable people were born on January 22.
January 22 is the birth date of several well-known political leaders and diplomats. Born on this day are U Thant, the third Secretary-General of the United Nations, Cambodian prince and politician Sisowath Sirik Matak, and Singapore's first elected president Ong Teng Cheong. The date also marks the birth of Ecuador's former president Alfredo Palacio and North Korean politician Jang Sung-taek.
20th Century10 people
Ong Teng Cheong
1936 – 2002Singapore's fifth President from 1993 to 1999, who was also a trained architect and former Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress. He was the first elected president under Singapore's new constitutional framework.
Vincent Aboubakar
1992Cameroonian striker who captained his country to victory at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. He was the tournament's top scorer and won the Golden Boot at the event.
association football playerCameroon
Hidetoshi Nakata
1977Midfielder who became Japan's first major European football star, playing for clubs like Roma and Parma during the late 1990s and 2000s.
association football playerJapan
Jang Sung-taek
1946 – 2013Kim Jong-un's uncle and former regent who served as Vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission until his execution in 2013 for alleged treason.
politicianNorth Korea
Tharman Shanmugaratnam
1957Singapore's ninth President since September 2023, previously serving as Senior Minister and coordinating minister for social policies. He is widely recognized for his expertise in economic policy and served as chairman of the International Monetary and Financial Committee.
politicianSingapore
Rio Haryanto
1993Indonesian racing driver who became the first Indonesian to compete in Formula One when he raced for Manor Racing in 2016.
Alfredo Palacio
1939 – 2025Cardiologist and academic who briefly served as President of Ecuador from 2005 to 2007 after assuming power following the ousting of Lucio Gutiérrez.
Sisowath Sirik Matak
1914 – 1975Cambodian prince and politician who served as Prime Minister under the Khmer Republic and was executed by the Khmer Rouge in 1975.
politicianCambodia
Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu
1962Sultan of Terengganu since 1998 who served as Malaysia's 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (2006-2011) and is known for his interest in Islamic scholarship.
politicianMalaysia
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on January 22?
U Thant, born on January 22, 1909, is likely the most internationally recognized figure from this date. He was the third Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1961 to 1971 and played a crucial role in mediating international conflicts during the Cold War era.
Are there any world leaders born on January 22?
Yes, several world leaders were born on January 22. These include U Thant, Ong Teng Cheong, the President of Singapore, and Alfredo Palacio, the President of Ecuador. Sisowath Sirik Matak, a prominent Cambodian political leader, was also born on this date in 1914.
What countries do famous January 22 birthdays represent?
Notable people born on January 22 are from Myanmar (U Thant), Cambodia (Sisowath Sirik Matak), Singapore (Ong Teng Cheong), Ecuador (Alfredo Palacio), and North Korea (Jang Sung-taek).