HistoryData

Famous People from Honduras

52 notable historical figures from Honduras, including leaders, artists, scientists, and other influential people.

Honduras has 54 documented individuals who have become notable figures in history. The country's most significant contributions have been in politics and sports, especially association football. Political leaders influential in shaping the country include former presidents Manuel Zelaya, Juan Orlando Hernández, Porfirio Lobo Sosa, and Roberto Micheletti, as well as the current president Xiomara Castro, the first female head of state. In sports, footballers like Maynor Figueroa, David Suazo, Wilson Palacios, and Saúl Martínez have achieved international recognition. Beyond politics and sports, figures such as environmental activist Bertha Cáceres gained attention for defending indigenous rights and natural resources. Notable figures in Honduras mostly come from football, with 35 players, and politics, with 17, reflecting the country's cultural focus and presence.

Population of Honduras — view historical data & charts
association football player (35)politician (13)association football coach (8)businessperson (4)entrepreneur (2)economist (2)woman manager (1)environmentalist (1)human rights defender (1)drug trafficker (1)
Xiomara Castro

Xiomara Castro

1959 – Present

First female president of Honduras, taking office in 2022 as leader of the LIBRE party. She is the wife of former president Manuel Zelaya who was ousted in the 2009 coup.

politicianwoman managerBorn September 30Wikipedia →
Bertha Cáceres

Bertha Cáceres

1971 – 2016

Indigenous rights and environmental activist who won the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2015 for opposing the Agua Zarca Dam project. She was assassinated in 2016 for her activism defending Lenca indigenous lands.

environmentalisthuman rights defenderBorn March 4Wikipedia →
Anthony Lozano

Anthony Lozano

1993 – Present

Honduran striker who plays in European football and serves as a key goalscorer for the Honduras national team in international competitions.

association football playerBorn April 25Wikipedia →
Manuel Zelaya

Manuel Zelaya

1952 – Present

Honduran president from 2006 to 2009 who was removed from power in a military coup. He later returned from exile and founded the opposition LIBRE party.

Carlos Pavón

Carlos Pavón

1973 – Present

Honduran striker who became the national team's all-time leading scorer with 57 goals in 101 appearances. He played club football in Spain, Mexico, and Guatemala during his career.

association football coachassociation football playerBorn October 9Wikipedia →
Wilson Palacios

Wilson Palacios

1984 – Present

Honduran defensive midfielder who played over 200 Premier League matches for Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic, and Stoke City. He captained Honduras at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

association football playerBorn July 29Wikipedia →
Maynor Figueroa

Maynor Figueroa

1983 – Present

Honduran left-back who played over 180 Premier League matches for Wigan Athletic and Hull City. He earned more than 150 caps for the Honduras national team between 2003-2018.

association football playerBorn May 2Wikipedia →
Ramón Núñez

Ramón Núñez

1985 – Present

Honduran attacking midfielder known for his technical skills, who has played for clubs in Europe and North America while earning over 60 caps for his national team.

association football playerBorn November 14Wikipedia →
Juan Orlando Hernández

Juan Orlando Hernández

1968 – Present

Former president of Honduras (2014-2022) who was convicted in 2024 by a U.S. court on drug trafficking charges. He received a 45-year prison sentence for facilitating cocaine shipments to the United States.

David Suazo

David Suazo

1979 – Present

Honduran striker who scored over 100 goals in Serie A, primarily with Cagliari and Inter Milan. He became Honduras' all-time leading scorer with 22 international goals.

association football coachassociation football playerBorn November 5Wikipedia →
Tiburcio Carías

Tiburcio Carías

1876 – 1969

Honduran politician and lawyer who served as President of Honduras from 1933 to 1949, making him one of the longest-serving leaders in the country's history.

Roberto Micheletti

Roberto Micheletti

1943 – Present

Speaker of the National Congress who served as interim president of Honduras from June 2009 to January 2010 following the military coup that removed Manuel Zelaya. His presidency was not internationally recognized by many countries.

entrepreneurpoliticianBorn August 13Wikipedia →
Emilio Izaguirre

Emilio Izaguirre

1986 – Present

Honduran left-back who made over 200 appearances for Celtic FC, winning multiple Scottish Premier League titles. He represented Honduras at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

association football playerBorn May 10Wikipedia →
Boniek García

Boniek García

1984 – Present

Honduran midfielder who played in Major League Soccer for Houston Dynamo and represented Honduras at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

association football playerBorn September 4Wikipedia →
Jerry Bengtson

Jerry Bengtson

1987 – Present

Honduran striker who has been a prolific goalscorer in the Honduran league and earned multiple caps for the national team.

association football playerBorn April 8Wikipedia →
Amado Guevara

Amado Guevara

1976 – Present

Honduran attacking midfielder who captained the national team at the 2010 World Cup and earned 131 caps. He played professionally in Major League Soccer for the New York Red Bulls and Chivas USA.

association football coachassociation football playerBorn May 2Wikipedia →
Reinaldo Rueda

Reinaldo Rueda

1957 – Present

Colombian football coach who has managed several national teams including Honduras, Chile, and Colombia, leading teams to World Cup appearances.

association football coachassociation football playerBorn April 16Wikipedia →
Nasry Asfura

Nasry Asfura

1958 – Present

Mayor of Tegucigalpa from 2014-2022 who ran unsuccessfully for president in 2021 as the National Party candidate. He lost to Xiomara Castro in the general election.

businesspersonpoliticianBorn June 8Wikipedia →
Porfirio Lobo Sosa

Porfirio Lobo Sosa

1947 – Present

37th president of Honduras (2010-2014) who took office following the constitutional crisis after Manuel Zelaya's removal. He previously worked as a businessman in the agricultural sector.

farmerpoliticiantaekwondo athleteBorn December 22Wikipedia →
Andy Najar

Andy Najar

1993 – Present

Honduran midfielder who was born in the United States and played youth football for the U.S. before switching to represent Honduras internationally. He has played professionally in MLS and Belgium.

association football playerBorn March 16Wikipedia →
Víctor Bernárdez

Víctor Bernárdez

1982 – Present

Honduran center-back who played over 150 MLS matches for San Jose Earthquakes and Minnesota United, winning the MLS Cup in 2003. He earned more than 70 caps for Honduras including at the 2014 World Cup.

association football coachassociation football playerBorn May 24Wikipedia →
Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga

Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga

1942 – Present

Honduran Cardinal who served as Archbishop of Tegucigalpa from 1993-2023 and was a prominent advisor to Pope Francis. He was known for his work on Vatican financial reform and social justice issues.

Catholic bishopCatholic priestuniversity teacherBorn December 29Wikipedia →
Rafael Leonardo Callejas Romero

Rafael Leonardo Callejas Romero

1943 – 2020

Honduran economist and politician who served as President from 1990 to 1994 and later became president of the Honduran Football Federation.

economistpoliticiansports executiveBorn November 14Wikipedia →
Arnold Peralta

Arnold Peralta

1989 – 2015

Honduran midfielder who played for clubs in Scotland and Honduras before his tragic death in 2015. He represented Honduras at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

association football playerBorn March 29Wikipedia →
Walter Martínez

Walter Martínez

1982 – 2019

Honduran midfielder who played for Olimpia and Motagua in the domestic league and earned caps for the national team. He died in 2019 at the age of 37.

association football playerBorn March 28Wikipedia →
Roger Espinoza

Roger Espinoza

1986 – Present

Honduran midfielder who has played extensively in Major League Soccer, representing clubs including Sporting Kansas City and the Honduras national team in multiple World Cup campaigns.

association football playerBorn October 25Wikipedia →
Hendry Thomas

Hendry Thomas

1985 – Present

Honduran winger who played for Wigan Athletic in the Premier League and represented Honduras at the 2010 World Cup. He also had spells with several clubs in Central America and Major League Soccer.

association football playerBorn February 23Wikipedia →
Carlos Roberto Reina

Carlos Roberto Reina

1926 – 2003

Honduran lawyer and diplomat who served as President from 1994 to 1998, previously working as a judge and human rights advocate.

diplomatjudgelawyerBorn March 13Wikipedia →
Luis López Fernández

Luis López Fernández

1993 – Present

Honduran midfielder who has played in the domestic league system and represented Honduras in youth international competitions.

association football playerBorn September 13Wikipedia →

Carlo Costly

1982 – Present

Honduran striker who played for Real España and Olimpia, becoming one of the top scorers in Honduran league history. He represented Honduras at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

association football playerBorn July 18Wikipedia →
Oswaldo López Arellano

Oswaldo López Arellano

1921 – 2010

Military officer who served two separate terms as president of Honduras (1963-1971, 1972-1975) following coups. His rule was marked by authoritarian policies and the 1969 Football War with El Salvador.

businesspersonpoliticianBorn June 30Wikipedia →
Osman Chávez

Osman Chávez

1984 – Present

Former Honduran defender who played professionally in Central America before transitioning into politics following his football career.

association football playerpoliticianBorn July 29Wikipedia →
Roberto Suazo Córdova

Roberto Suazo Córdova

1927 – 2018

Honduran surgeon and politician who served as the 29th President from 1982 to 1986, leading the country's transition back to civilian rule.

José Azcona del Hoyo

José Azcona del Hoyo

1927 – 2005

Honduran businessman and politician who served as the 30th President of Honduras from 1986 to 1990, focusing on economic development during his term.

businesspersonpoliticianBorn January 26Wikipedia →

Juan Carlos García

1988 – 2018

Honduran footballer who played as a midfielder in Central American leagues until his death in 2018, representing his country internationally.

association football playerBorn March 8Wikipedia →
Édgar Álvarez

Édgar Álvarez

1980 – Present

Honduran central defender who played for Olimpia and several clubs in Major League Soccer including Columbus Crew. He earned over 100 caps for the Honduras national team.

association football playerBorn January 18Wikipedia →
Noel Valladares

Noel Valladares

1977 – Present

Honduran goalkeeper who played over 100 matches for Olimpia and served as Honduras' first-choice keeper at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. He earned 137 caps for his national team.

association football playerBorn May 3Wikipedia →
Johnny Palacios

Johnny Palacios

1986 – Present

Former Honduran midfielder who transitioned into coaching after his playing career, working with clubs in the Honduran football system.

association football coachassociation football playerBorn December 20Wikipedia →
Mario Martínez

Mario Martínez

1989 – Present

Honduran attacking midfielder who has played professionally in multiple countries and regularly features for the Honduras national team.

association football playerBorn July 30Wikipedia →
Luis Garrido

Luis Garrido

1990 – Present

Honduran midfielder who has played in the domestic league system and competed for Honduras in regional international competitions.

association football playerBorn November 5Wikipedia →
Carlos Roberto Flores

Carlos Roberto Flores

1950 – Present

Honduran entrepreneur and politician who served as the 33rd President of Honduras from 1998 to 2002, implementing significant economic reforms.

entrepreneurpoliticianBorn March 10Wikipedia →
Ramón Villeda Morales

Ramón Villeda Morales

1909 – 1971

Honduran physician and politician who served as President from 1957 to 1963, known for implementing significant social and economic reforms.

Saúl Martínez

1976 – Present

Honduran striker who played for Real España and represented Honduras in multiple CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments. He was known for his goal-scoring ability in the Honduran National League.

association football playerBorn January 29Wikipedia →
Ricardo Maduro

Ricardo Maduro

1946 – Present

Economist and businessman who served as president of Honduras from 2002-2006, implementing tough anti-crime policies. He previously worked as a bank executive and was born in Panama.

businesspersoneconomistpoliticianBorn April 20Wikipedia →
Donis Escober

Donis Escober

1981 – Present

Honduran defender who played professionally in Central American leagues and represented his country in international competition.

association football playerBorn February 3Wikipedia →

Rony Martínez

1988 – Present

Rony Martínez is a Honduran former professional footballer who played as a forward and has transitioned into coaching after his playing career ended.

association football coachassociation football playerBorn October 16Wikipedia →

Jorge Claros

1986 – Present

Honduran midfielder who has played in both domestic and international leagues while representing Honduras in various international tournaments.

association football playerBorn January 8Wikipedia →

Georgie Welcome

1985 – Present

Georgie Welcome is a Honduran professional footballer who played as a defender for clubs including Marathón and represented Honduras in international competitions during the 2000s and 2010s.

association football playerBorn March 9Wikipedia →

Jerry Palacios

1982 – Present

Honduran midfielder who played professionally in Central America and earned caps for the Honduras national team during his career.

association football playerBorn May 13Wikipedia →

Edder Delgado

1986 – Present

Former Honduran midfielder who transitioned into coaching after his playing career, working with youth development and professional teams.

association football coachassociation football playerBorn November 20Wikipedia →

Brayan Beckeles

1985 – Present

Honduran defender who has been a consistent presence in the national team setup and played for various clubs in Central America.

association football playerBorn November 28Wikipedia →

Mauricio Sabillón

1978 – Present

Mauricio Sabillón is a Honduran footballer who played as a midfielder and represented the Honduras national team, including appearances in World Cup qualifying matches.

association football playerBorn November 11Wikipedia →

Related Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the most famous soccer players from Honduras?
Some well-known soccer players from Honduras are Maynor Figueroa, David Suazo, and Wilson Palacios. They have competed professionally in top European leagues and represented Honduras in several World Cups, contributing to the international recognition of Honduran football.
Who was the first female president of Honduras?
Xiomara Castro became the first female president of Honduras in 2022. She is the wife of former president Manuel Zelaya, who was removed from office in a military coup in 2009.
What happened to environmental activist Berta Cáceres from Honduras?
Berta Cáceres was a well-known Honduran environmental and indigenous rights activist who was murdered in 2016. She opposed the construction of a hydroelectric dam on sacred indigenous land and received the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2015 for her efforts.