Pedro II of Brazil
1825 – 1891Second and last Emperor of Brazil who reigned for 58 years (1831-1889) and oversaw the abolition of slavery. His reign was marked by economic growth, territorial expansion, and eventual republican revolution.
Famous People from Brazil
37 notable historical figures from Brazil, including leaders, artists, scientists, and other influential people.
Brazil has produced many influential figures. In association football, Pelé, born in 1940, is renowned as one of the greatest players. Current stars like Neymar and former champions Ronaldo and Ronaldinho also reflect Brazil's strong presence in the sport. In motorsport, Ayrton Senna is a notable figure in Formula One. Politically, the country has been shaped by leaders like former presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Dilma Rousseff, and the current president Jair Bolsonaro. In entertainment and literature, television presenter Hebe Camargo and author Paulo Coelho have shared Brazilian culture globally. Out of 37 notable figures, football players make up about half, with politicians, actors, and writers also contributing to Brazil's global recognition.
association football player (19)actor (6)politician (4)association football coach (4)film actor (3)lawyer (2)futsal player (2)businessperson (2)Formula One driver (2)economist (2)
Oscar Niemeyer
1907 – 2012Modernist architect who designed Brasília, Brazil's capital city, and numerous iconic buildings worldwide. He was a pioneer of modernist architecture and received the Pritzker Prize in 1988.
Michel Temer
1940 – PresentConstitutional lawyer who served as Brazil's Vice President under Dilma Rousseff and became the 37th President after her impeachment in 2016. He served until 2019.
Ronaldinho
1980 – PresentBrazilian midfielder widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, known for his technical ability and creativity. He won the Ballon d'Or in 2005 and played key roles at Barcelona and AC Milan.
Kaká
1982 – PresentBrazilian attacking midfielder who won the 2007 Ballon d'Or and was instrumental in Brazil's 2002 World Cup victory. He played for top clubs including Real Madrid and AC Milan.
Gisele Bündchen
1980 – PresentSupermodel who was one of the highest-paid models in the world and helped define the fashion industry in the 2000s. She has also been active in environmental causes and business ventures.
Pelé
1940 – 2022Legendary Brazilian footballer who won three World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970) and scored over 1,000 career goals. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history.
Carmen Miranda
1909 – 1955Portuguese-born Brazilian singer, dancer and actress who became a major Hollywood star in the 1940s, famous for her fruit-adorned headpieces and Latin American performances.
Getúlio Vargas
1882 – 1954Brazilian politician who ruled the country for 15 years as both dictator (1930-1945) and elected president (1951-1954). He modernized Brazil's economy and established major labor laws.
Garrincha
1933 – 1983Brazilian winger who won World Cups in 1958 and 1962, forming a legendary partnership with Pelé. Despite physical disabilities in his legs, he became one of football's most skillful dribblers.
Ayrton Senna
1960 – 1994Three-time Formula One World Champion (1988, 1990, 1991) who died in a crash during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. He is considered one of the greatest racing drivers in motorsport history.
Roberto Carlos
1973 – PresentBrazilian left-back who spent most of his career at Real Madrid, winning four UEFA Champions League titles. He was known for his attacking prowess and free-kick ability.
Robinho
1984 – PresentBrazilian footballer who played as a forward for clubs including Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Santos, known for his technical skills and dribbling ability.
Arthur Antunes Coimbra
1953 – PresentBrazilian football legend known as Zico, who scored over 500 career goals and is considered one of the greatest playmakers in football history.
Romário
1966 – PresentProlific striker who won the 1994 World Cup with Brazil and scored over 1,000 career goals. After retirement, he became a politician and has served as a Brazilian senator since 2015.
Marcelo Vieira
1988 – PresentBrazilian left-back who plays for Real Madrid and captains the Brazil national team. He is considered one of the best defenders of his generation and has won multiple Champions League titles.
Marjorie Estiano
1982 – PresentBrazilian actress and singer who gained fame in telenovelas and released several successful albums. She is known for roles in productions like 'Malhação' and 'Império.'
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
1945 – PresentFormer metalworker and union leader who served as Brazil's 35th President (2003-2011) and returned as the 39th President in 2023. He led Brazil during a period of significant economic growth and social programs.
Daniel Alves
1983 – PresentBrazilian right-back who holds the record for most trophies won by any player in football history with over 40 titles. He played for top clubs including Barcelona, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Marta
1986 – PresentBrazilian footballer widely considered the greatest female player of all time, six-time FIFA World Player of the Year winner and top scorer in World Cup history.
Neymar
1992 – PresentBrazilian forward who plays for Al Hilal and the Brazil national team, known for his pace, dribbling, and goal-scoring ability. He is one of the most expensive transfers in football history.
Ronaldo
1976 – PresentBrazilian striker known as 'Ronaldinho Gaúcho' who won the FIFA World Player of the Year twice and the Ballon d'Or in 2005. He was renowned for his technical skills, creativity, and joyful playing style.
Rivaldo
1972 – PresentBrazilian attacking midfielder and forward who won the 1999 Ballon d'Or and was key to Brazil's 2002 World Cup victory. He played for Barcelona, AC Milan, and other top European clubs.
Philippe Coutinho
1992 – PresentBrazilian attacking midfielder who has played for Liverpool, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, known for his long-range shooting and creativity.
Casemiro
1992 – PresentBrazilian defensive midfielder who won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid and currently plays for Manchester United.
Hulk
1986 – PresentBrazilian forward known for his powerful physique and shooting ability, who has played for clubs including Porto, Zenit Saint Petersburg, and Shanghai SIPG.
Vinícius Júnior
2000 – PresentBrazilian winger who plays for Real Madrid and the Brazil national team, winner of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and multiple Champions League titles.
Jair Bolsonaro
1955 – PresentFormer Brazilian Army captain who served as the 38th President of Brazil from 2019 to 2023. His presidency was marked by controversial policies regarding the environment, COVID-19, and democratic institutions.
Emerson Fittipaldo
1946 – PresentBrazilian Formula One driver who won world championships in 1972 and 1974, and later became a successful Indy 500 winner and team owner.
Jorge Amado
1912 – 2001Novelist whose works like 'Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands' brought Brazilian culture to international attention. He was one of the most widely translated Brazilian authors of the 20th century.
Eduardo Saverin
1982 – PresentBrazilian-born entrepreneur who co-founded Facebook with Mark Zuckerberg at Harvard University and later became a prominent angel investor in Silicon Valley.
Dilma Rousseff
1947 – PresentEconomist who served as Brazil's first female president from 2011 to 2016 before being impeached. She currently serves as President of the BRICS New Development Bank since 2023.
Adriana Lima
1981 – PresentBrazilian supermodel who was a Victoria's Secret Angel from 1999 to 2018 and one of the highest-paid models in the world.
Hebe Camargo
1929 – 2012Iconic Brazilian television host and entertainer who dominated Brazilian television for over five decades. She was known for her talk shows and as a cultural icon in Brazilian media.
Paulo Coelho
1947 – PresentInternational bestselling author whose novel 'The Alchemist' has sold over 150 million copies worldwide. He is one of the most translated living authors, writing primarily about spirituality and personal transformation.
Nathalia Dill
1986 – PresentBrazilian actress known for her roles in television series and films. She has appeared in popular telenovelas and is recognized as one of Brazil's prominent young actresses.
Fábio Lima
1993 – PresentBrazilian-born footballer who represents the United Arab Emirates national team and plays as an attacking midfielder or winger.
Related Data
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the most famous Brazilian soccer players of all time?
Brazil has produced legendary soccer players including Pelé, considered one of the greatest players ever. Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Neymar are also notable figures in modern soccer. These players have contributed to Brazil's multiple World Cup victories and are renowned for their skill and creativity on the field.
Which Brazilian presidents have served in recent decades?
Recent Brazilian presidents include Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who served from 2003 to 2010, followed by Dilma Rousseff from 2011 to 2016, and Jair Bolsonaro who served from 2019 to 2022. Lula returned to office in 2023 after winning the presidential election.
What famous Brazilian writers are known internationally?
Paulo Coelho is Brazil's most internationally recognized author, famous for bestselling novels like 'The Alchemist,' which has been translated into dozens of languages. Brazil has a rich literary tradition with many writers contributing to world literature.