Enya
1961Irish singer-songwriter who achieved global success with her ethereal Celtic music and multi-layered vocal arrangements. She has sold over 75 million records worldwide and won four Grammy Awards.
Famous Birthdays on May 17
7 notable people were born on May 17.
May 17 is the birth date of several notable figures from different fields and time periods. Born on this date are Georgian painter Niko Pirosmani (1862), Spanish King Alfonso XIII (1886), Malaysian royal Sirajuddin I of Perlis (1943), Slovenian politician and former president Janez Drnovšek (1950), and Irish singer Enya (1961). These individuals have made contributions to art, politics, and music over more than a century.
20th Century5 people
Janez Drnovšek
1950 – 2008Slovenian statesman who served as Prime Minister (1992-2002) and President (2002-2007), playing a crucial role in Slovenia's independence and EU accession. He was known for his spiritual transformation in later years and his efforts toward global consciousness.
Cristian Gamboa
1984Costa Rican right-back defender who played for clubs including Celtic FC and represented the national team in World Cup competitions.
association football playerCosta Rica
Sirajuddin I of Perlis
1943Current Raja of Perlis since 2000, Malaysia's smallest state, and served as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (2001-2006).
politicianMalaysia
Omar Razzaz
1961Economist and former World Bank official who served as Prime Minister of Jordan from 2018 to 2020.
politicianJordan
19th Century2 people
Alfonso XIII
1886 – 1941The last king of Spain before the Second Spanish Republic, who reigned from birth in 1886 until his abdication in 1931 following municipal elections that favored republicans.
sovereignSpain
Niko Pirosmani
1862 – 1918Self-taught Georgian primitivist painter whose naive style depicting Georgian life gained international recognition posthumously.
painterGeorgia
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on May 17?
Enya, the Irish singer and composer known for her ethereal music, was born on May 17, 1961. Her albums like 'Watermark' and 'Shepherd Moons' have been widely popular, with over 80 million records sold worldwide.
Were any royalty or political leaders born on May 17?
Yes, several political figures were born on May 17, including Alfonso XIII, King of Spain from 1886 to 1931, Sirajuddin I, Raja of Perlis in Malaysia, and Janez Drnovšek, President of Slovenia from 2002 to 2007. Alfonso XIII was born on May 17, 1886, and Drnovšek was born in 1950.
Are there any famous artists born on May 17?
Niko Pirosmani, a renowned Georgian primitive painter, was born on May 17, 1862. Known for his folk art style and depictions of Georgian life, his work remains iconic in Georgian culture.