17 historically significant individuals born on November 26. November 26 is the birth date of several influential individuals from various fields and eras. Notably, linguist Ferdinand de Saussure, born in 1857, revolutionized the study of language. Playwright Eugène Ionesco, born in 1909, played a key role in the Theatre of the Absurd. Singer Tina Turner, born in 1939, became known as the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll." This date also marks the births of Honduran President Ramón Villeda Morales, born in 1909, and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, born in 1939.
Total Born
17
Countries
13
Top Century
20th· 10
Top Field
scientist
2 individuals
Headline Figures
scientist
Adolfo Pérez Esquivel
1931 – PresentNobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Peace (1980)
scientist
Karl Ziegler
1898 – 1973Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1963)
biochemist
Elizabeth Blackburn
1948 – PresentNobel Prize-winning molecular biologist who discovered telomerase, the enzyme that protects chromosomes and plays a key role in aging and cancer.
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (10)
19th (4)
17th C.20th C.
20th Century
10Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Adolfo Pérez Esquivel
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Peace (1980)
Elizabeth Blackburn
biochemistbiologist
Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist who discovered telomerase, the enzyme that protects chromosomes and plays a key role in aging and cancer.
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
civil servantdiplomat
Malaysia's 5th Prime Minister (2003-2009) known for his anti-corruption initiatives and moderate Islamic policies, who passed away in January 2025.
Garcelle Beauvais
actorfilm actor
Haitian-American actress and model known for roles in 'The Jamie Foxx Show' and as a cast member on 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.' She has also appeared in numerous films and television series.
Velupillai Prabhakaran
dictatorfreedom fighter
Founded and led the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for over three decades, waging a separatist war for an independent Tamil state until his death in 2009.
Eugène Ionesco
diaristfilm actor
Romanian-French playwright who founded the Theatre of the Absurd movement with groundbreaking works like 'The Bald Soprano' and 'Rhinoceros'.
Tina Turner
actorautobiographer
American-born Swiss singer and songwriter (1939–2023)
Ramón Villeda Morales
politician
Honduran physician and politician who served as President from 1957 to 1963, known for implementing significant social and economic reforms.
Armando Cooper
association football player
Panamanian midfielder who has represented his country in international competitions and played professionally in North America.
BB
Bavuudorjiin Baasankhüü
judoka
Mongolian judoka who competes in the men's heavyweight division and has represented Mongolia in international competitions.
19th Century
4Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Karl Ziegler
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1963)
Clara Mountcastle
painterpoet
Canadian artist and author
Ernst Gustaf Palmén
historianpolitician
Finnish baron, historian and politician (1849–1919)
Ferdinand de Saussure
linguist
Linguist whose Course in General Linguistics established the foundations of modern structural linguistics and semiotics.
18th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Pascal Coste
architectart historian
French architect (1787-1879)
17th Century
2Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Pedro Peralta y Barnuevo
astronomermathematician
Peruvian polymath
Jean Jacques Dortous de Mayran
astronomerentomologist
French geophysicist, astronomer and most notably, chronobiologist
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on November 26?
Tina Turner, the American singer known as the 'Queen of Rock and Roll,' is likely the most famous person born on November 26, 1939. She gained global fame with hits like 'What's Love Got to Do with It' and 'Proud Mary.'
What celebrities were born on November 26?
Notable celebrities born on November 26 include Tina Turner (1939), the rock and soul singer, and playwright Eugène Ionesco (1909), known for his work in the Theater of the Absurd. Other figures include linguist Ferdinand de Saussure (1857) and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (1939).
Are there any politicians born on November 26?
Yes, several politicians were born on November 26, including Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who was Malaysia's Prime Minister from 2003 to 2009, and Ramón Villeda Morales, President of Honduras from 1957 to 1963. They were born in 1939 and 1909 respectively.