20 historically significant individuals born on March 20. March 20 is the birth date of 15 notable individuals throughout history, including figures in politics, literature, music, and diplomacy. Prominent figures born on this date are Thai King Phutthayotfa Chulalok (1737), Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen (1828), North Korean leader Kim Il (1910), Nobel Peace Prize winner Alfonso García Robles (1911), and reggae producer Lee "Scratch" Perry (1936). They have made contributions to their fields, from founding dynasties and revolutionizing theater to shaping international relations and transforming musical genres.
Total Born
20
Countries
20
Top Century
20th· 14
Top Field
association football player
4 individuals
Headline Figures
scientist
Erwin Neher
1944 – PresentNobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1991)
business executive
Brian Mulroney
1939 – 2024Canadian politician and lawyer who served as the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from 1984 to 1993.
composer
Lee "Scratch" Perry
1936 – 2021Jamaican record producer and musician who pioneered dub music and innovative studio techniques at his Black Ark studio. He produced groundbreaking work for Bob Marley, The Congos, and many others.
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (14)
19th (4)
17th C.20th C.
20th Century
14Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Erwin Neher
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1991)
Brian Mulroney
business executivelawyer
Canadian politician and lawyer who served as the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from 1984 to 1993.
Lee "Scratch" Perry
composerdisc jockey
Jamaican record producer and musician who pioneered dub music and innovative studio techniques at his Black Ark studio. He produced groundbreaking work for Bob Marley, The Congos, and many others.
Eiji Kawashima
association football player
Japanese goalkeeper who has earned over 90 caps for the national team and played professionally in Europe for clubs including Standard Liège and Strasbourg.
Letesenbet Gidey
athletics competitor
Ethiopian long-distance runner who holds world records in the 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters, and half marathon.
Alfonso García Robles
diplomatjurist
Mexican diplomat who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1982 for his work on nuclear disarmament and the Treaty of Tlatelolco. He served as Mexico's ambassador to the United Nations and played a key role in Latin American nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
Bajram Begaj
military personnelpolitician
Albanian military officer and politician who has served as President of Albania since 2022, previously holding senior positions in the armed forces.
Natacha Atlas
actorrecording artist
Singer and actress known for blending Arabic, Middle Eastern, and Western electronic music styles. She has released multiple albums and performed internationally, bridging cultural musical traditions.
Sharbat Gula
public figure
Afghan refugee who became globally recognized as the green-eyed subject of Steve McCurry's iconic 1984 National Geographic photograph 'Afghan Girl.'
Kim Il
partisanpolitician
North Korean politician (1910-1984)
Fernando Torres
association football coachassociation football player
Spanish striker known for his pace and finishing ability, who scored the winning goal in the 2008 European Championship final.
Miroslav Lajčák
diplomatpolitician
Slovak diplomat who served as President of the UN General Assembly from 2017-2018 and as Slovakia's Foreign Minister.
Román Torres
association football player
Panamanian defender who played a key role in Panama's qualification for their first World Cup in 2018.
Tomasz Kuszczak
association football player
Polish goalkeeper who played for Manchester United and other Premier League clubs, earning 12 caps for the Poland national team.
19th Century
4Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Franz Mertens
mathematicianuniversity teacher
Polish-Austrian mathematician
Eluned Morgan
journalistlibrarian
Argentine writer (1870–1938)
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Rosalie Loveling
poetpolitician
Author of poetry, novels and essays from Flanders, Belgium
Henrik Ibsen
directorlibrettist
Norwegian playwright who wrote influential dramas including A Doll's House and Hedda Gabler, often called the father of modern realistic drama.
18th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Phutthayotfa Chulalok
sovereign
King of Siam (1737–1809)
17th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Giuseppe Averani
juristnaturalist
Italian jurist and naturalist
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on March 20?
Henrik Ibsen, born on March 20, 1828, is a well-known Norwegian playwright. Often referred to as the father of modern drama, he authored plays such as 'A Doll's House' and 'Hedda Gabler.'
Are there any world leaders born on March 20?
Yes, two notable world leaders share this birthdate. Phutthayotfa Chulalok, born in 1737, was the founder and first king of the Chakri Dynasty of Thailand. Kim Il, born in 1910, was a North Korean politician. Both were influential in their countries' histories.
What famous musicians were born on March 20?
Lee 'Scratch' Perry, born on March 20, 1936, was a Jamaican music producer and reggae pioneer. He played a key role in the development of dub music and collaborated with artists like Bob Marley and The Wailers.