24 historically significant individuals born on July 2. July 2 is the birth date of numerous notable figures, including Nobel Prize-winning authors Hermann Hesse and Wisława Szymborska, Norwegian King Olav V, and Argentine President Carlos Menem. It is also the birth date of Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos.
Total Born
24
Countries
22
Top Century
20th· 16
Top Field
scientist
3 individuals
Headline Figures
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (16)
16th C.20th C.
20th Century
16Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Richard Axel
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2004)
Hans Bethe
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physics (1967)
Olav V of Norway
monarch
King of Norway from 1957 to 1991, born as a Danish prince and later adopted by the Norwegian royal family when his father became King Haakon VII in 1905. He became a symbol of Norwegian resistance during World War II and was beloved for his informal, accessible leadership style.
Carlos Menem
businesspersonlawyer
Argentinean president between 1989 and 1999
Margot Robbie
film actorfilm producer
Academy Award-nominated actress and producer known for The Wolf of Wall Street and I, Tonya, who co-founded the production company LuckyChap Entertainment.
Vicente Fox Quesada
businesspersoneconomist
Mexican businessman and politician who served as the 62nd President of Mexico from 2000 to 2006, ending 71 years of single-party rule.
Baba Rahman
association football player
Left-back who has played for Chelsea and Reading, earning multiple caps for Ghana. He was part of Ghana's squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
Jüri Ratas
basketball playerpolitician
Estonian politician who served as Prime Minister from 2016 to 2021 and previously played professional basketball before entering politics.
Ahmad Uyahya
diplomatpolitician
Diplomat and politician who served as Prime Minister of Algeria from 2017 to 2019 under President Bouteflika.
Wisława Szymborska
criticessayist
Polish poet who won the 1996 Nobel Prize in Literature for her accessible yet profound poetry characterized by wit, irony, and philosophical reflection on ordinary life.
RS
Ruslana Sergeyevna-Korshunova
fashion modelmodel
Fashion model who worked for major international brands and magazines before her death at age 20 in New York City in 2008.
Imelda Marcos
diplomatentrepreneur
Former First Lady of the Philippines known for her extravagant lifestyle, including owning over 1,000 pairs of shoes, and later convicted of graft and corruption.
Pak Nam-chol
association football player
North Korean midfielder who plays for Rimyongsu and the national team. He has been a regular squad member for international matches since the late 2000s.
Yassine Meriah
association football player
Professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for the Tunisian national team. He has been a regular defender in Tunisia's World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations squads.
Joel Aguilar
association football referee
FIFA referee who officiated at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and multiple CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments.
Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi
autobiographermilitary personnel
Ruler of Sharjah since 1972 and member of the UAE's Supreme Council, known for his efforts in promoting Arab culture and education.
19th Century
3Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
William Bragg
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physics (1915)
Hermann Hesse
librettistliterary scholar
German-Swiss novelist and poet who won the 1946 Nobel Prize in Literature for works including "Steppenwolf" and "Siddhartha."
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Serafín Sánchez
journalistmilitary personnel
Cuban patriot
18th Century
3Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Francisco Javier Echeverría
ministerpolitician
President of Mexico (1797-1852)
Samuel Finley
Christian ministerminister
American colonial (1715–1766)
Johann Prokop Mayer
botanistdraftsperson
Austrian biologist
17th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Jan Jansz. de Heem
botanical illustratorpainter
Painter from the Northern Netherlands (1650-1695)
16th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Christoph Grienberger
astronomermathematician
Austrian astronomer (1561–1636)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on July 2?
Hermann Hesse, a German-Swiss author and Nobel Prize winner born in 1877, is likely the most famous person born on July 2. His novels 'Siddhartha' and 'Steppenwolf' established him as a major 20th-century writer.
Are there any Nobel Prize winners born on July 2?
Yes, Hermann Hesse won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1946, and Wisława Szymborska received the same award in 1996. Both are known for their contributions to world literature.
What world leaders were born on July 2?
King Olav V of Norway was born on July 2, 1903, and was Norway's monarch from 1957 to 1991. Carlos Menem, born in 1930, was President of Argentina from 1989 to 1999.