20 historically significant individuals born on May 16. May 16 is the birth date of several influential figures in politics, arts, and music. Notable people born on this day include Honduran president Juan Lindo y Zelaya (1790), Turkish president Celâl Bayar (1883), Art Deco painter Tamara de Lempicka (1898), Mexican author Juan Rulfo (1917), and jazz-fusion drummer Billy Cobham (1944). These individuals are from a range of areas including Latin American literature, European politics, and contemporary music.
Total Born
20
Countries
16
Top Century
20th· 11
Top Field
scientist
3 individuals
Headline Figures
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (11)
19th (4)
13th C.20th C.
20th Century
11Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
J. Georg Bednorz
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physics (1987)
RW
Robert B. Wilson
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (2020)
MM
Merton H. Miller
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (1990)
Laura Pausini
recording artistsinger
Italian pop singer who won the Sanremo Music Festival in 1993 at age 18 and became one of the most successful Italian artists internationally.
Pierce Brosnan
actorenvironmentalist
Irish actor who portrayed James Bond in four films from 1995 to 2002, revitalizing the franchise. He also starred in the television series 'Remington Steele' and numerous Hollywood films.
Nancy Ajram
actormodel
Lebanese pop singer who became one of the Arab world's best-selling artists, known for hits like 'Akhasmak Ah' and 'Ya Salam.'
Juan Rulfo
novelistphotographer
Mexican novelist and short story writer best known for his masterpiece 'Pedro Páramo' (1955), considered one of Latin America's most influential novels. His work significantly influenced the magical realism movement in literature.
IU
actorsinger
South Korean singer, songwriter, and actress who has achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success as one of the country's most prominent solo artists.
Billy Cobham
composerdrummer
Panama-born jazz drummer and composer who gained fame with the Mahavishnu Orchestra and through his influential fusion recordings.
Andrzej Duda
juristlawyer
Polish lawyer and politician who has served as President of Poland since 2015, representing the conservative Law and Justice party.
Nguyễn Tuấn Anh
association football player
Vietnamese midfielder who plays for the national team and has competed in multiple AFF Championships and Asian Cup tournaments.
19th Century
4Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Aleksander Paldrok
medical researchermilitary commander
Estonian physician, medical researcher and philatelist (1871–1944)
Jonas Axel Boeck
carcinologistmarine biologist
Norwegian biologist
Tamara de Lempicka
artistpainter
Polish Art Deco painter famous for her stylized portraits of aristocrats and the wealthy, becoming an icon of 1920s modernist art.
Celâl Bayar
politician
Turkish politician and banker who served as the third President of Turkey from 1950 to 1960, leading the transition to multi-party democracy.
18th Century
2Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Loammi Baldwin, Jr.
civil engineerengineer
American civil engineer 1780-1838
Juan Lindo y Zelaya
lawyerpolitician
President of Honduras and El Salvador (1790-1857)
17th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Germain Boffrand
architectengineer of the French Corps of Bridges and Roads
French architect (1667-1754)
15th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Iovianus Pontanus
poetpolitician
Italian poet (1426-1503)
13th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Cangrande I della Scala
condottierowriter
Italian noble
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on May 16?
Tamara de Lempicka, born in 1898, is one of the most recognized individuals from May 16. She is known for her distinctive Art Deco paintings and glamorous lifestyle. Billy Cobham, born in 1944, is also notable as an influential jazz-fusion drummer celebrated in music circles.
Are there any presidents or political leaders born on May 16?
Yes, Juan Lindo y Zelaya, born in 1790, served as President of Honduras and later El Salvador. Celâl Bayar, born in 1883, became the third President of Turkey.
What artists or writers were born on May 16?
Two significant artists were born on May 16: Tamara de Lempicka in 1898, known for her Art Deco portraits, and Juan Rulfo in 1917, the Mexican writer whose works like "Pedro Páramo" influenced Latin American literature.