🇳🇵Famous People from Nepal
A comprehensive directory of 37 historically significant figures from Nepal. Nepal has a notable array of influential figures in various fields, documented in historical records. Among these, 34 individuals are recognized, with 21 being politicians. Tenzing Norgay, who achieved the first confirmed summit of Mount Everest with Edmund Hillary in 1953, is among the country's most internationally recognized figures. Politically, Ram Baran Yadav made history as Nepal's first president, followed by Bidya Devi Bhandari, the first female president. Leaders like Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli have also significantly shaped Nepal's political landscape. The royal lineage includes King Birendra and King Gyanendra, pivotal during the country's shift from monarchy to republic. Suman Pokhrel is a key contemporary writer and poet, while Chief Justice Sushila Karki has influenced the judiciary. Actress Manisha Koirala has brought Nepali cinema international recognition, showcasing the country's talent in various fields.
Total Figures
37
Categories
15
Time Span
600BC–1987
Top Field
politician· 21
Notable Figures Overview
Distribution by Historical Era
AncientANC(3)
ModernMOD(2)
ContemporaryCONT.(32)
Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Link
Mahapajapati Gotami
Buddhist nun
Disciple of Gautama Buddha
The Buddha
Buddhist monk
Indian philosopher and the founder of Buddhism (623 or 563 BCE – 543 or 483 BCE)
Mahendra I of Nepal
monarch
King of Nepal (1920-1972)
Nepalese poet who translated the Ramayana into Nepali language, creating the first major literary work in modern Nepali. He is considered the pioneer of Nepali literature and poetry.
Birendra of Nepal
monarch
King of Nepal from 1972 to 2001 who was assassinated along with most of his family in the royal palace massacre. He ruled during a period of political transition and democratic movements.
Crown Prince who killed nine members of the royal family, including his parents, in the 2001 palace massacre before taking his own life. He technically became king for three days while in a coma.
Queen consort of Nepal from 1972 to 2001 who was killed along with most of the royal family in the 2001 Nepalese royal massacre. She was known for her literary work and patronage of arts and culture.
Laxmi Prasad Devkota
essayist
Nepal's most celebrated poet, often called the 'Mahakavi' (Great Poet) for his epic poem 'Muna Madan'. His works helped establish modern Nepali literature and he is considered the Shakespeare of Nepali literature.
Krishna Prasad Bhattarai
journalist
Nepalese politician and journalist who served as Prime Minister of Nepal from 1990-1991 and again in 1999-2000. He played a key role in the democratic movement that ended the Panchayat system and restored multiparty democracy.
B. P. Koirala
politician
Founding leader of the Nepali Congress party and first elected Prime Minister of Nepal in 1959. Known as the 'Father of Democracy' in Nepal, he also wrote novels and was imprisoned for his political activities.
Baburam Bhattarai
engineer
Maoist leader who served as Prime Minister from 2011 to 2013 and was the chief ideologist of the decade-long insurgency. He holds a PhD in architecture and has written extensively on Marxist theory.
Tenzing Norgay
autobiographer
Sherpa mountaineer who became the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest alongside Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953. He served as a mountain guide and later wrote his autobiography about his climbing experiences.
Suman Pokhrel
essayist
Contemporary Nepalese poet and cultural figure known for his multilingual literary works and translations. He has published over 40 books and received numerous national and international literary awards.
Nirmal Purja
mountaineer
Nepalese mountaineer who holds the world record for climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in just 6 months and 6 days. He served as a Gurkha soldier in the British Army Special Forces before becoming a professional climber and mountain guide.
Udit Narayan Jha
film actor
Prolific playback singer who has recorded over 40,000 songs in multiple languages, primarily for Bollywood films. He has won numerous National Film Awards and is considered one of India's most successful playback singers.
Surya Bahadur Thapa
civil servant
Nepalese politician who served as Prime Minister of Nepal five separate times between 1963 and 1997. He holds the record for the most terms served as Prime Minister in Nepal's history.
Bhimsen Thapa
politician
Nepalese statesman who served as Mukhtiyar (Prime Minister) and de facto ruler of Nepal from 1806 to 1837. He modernized the Nepalese military and administration during his three-decade reign.
Śuddhodana
politician
King of Shakya Kingdom
Tribhuvan I of Nepal
politician
King of Nepal from 1911 to 1955 who led the struggle against the Rana oligarchy and restored monarchical power. He sought asylum in India in 1950 before returning to establish a constitutional monarchy.
Girija Prasad Koirala
politician
Four-time Prime Minister of Nepal who played a key role in the country's democratic transition and peace process. He was instrumental in ending the Maoist insurgency through negotiations.
Sushil Koirala
politician
Prime Minister of Nepal from 2014 to 2015 and leader of the Nepali Congress party. He played a significant role in promulgating Nepal's new constitution in 2015.
Amrita Acharia
actor
Norwegian actress known for her roles in Game of Thrones as Irri and other international film and television productions.
Manisha Koirala
actor
Bollywood actress who gained fame in the 1990s with films like 'Bombay' and '1942: A Love Story'. She is one of Nepal's most internationally recognized cultural ambassadors.
Gyanendra of Nepal
politician
Nepal's last king who ruled from 2001 to 2008 before the monarchy was abolished. He came to power following the 2001 royal massacre that killed most of the royal family.
Pushpa Kamal Dahal
military personnel
Former Maoist rebel leader who led a decade-long insurgency before becoming Prime Minister twice (2008-2009, 2016-2017). Also known by his nom de guerre 'Prachanda'.
Showing 1-25 of 37 figures
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the first person to climb Mount Everest with Edmund Hillary?
Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa mountaineer from Nepal, reached the summit of Mount Everest alongside Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953. He became an international hero and one of the most famous mountain guides.
Who was Nepal's first female president?
Bidya Devi Bhandari became Nepal's first female president when elected in 2015. She previously served as a politician and was re-elected in 2018.
Are there any famous actors from Nepal?
Manisha Koirala is Nepal's most internationally recognized actress, known for her work in Bollywood films during the 1990s and 2000s. She appeared in many successful Hindi movies and gained fame across South Asia.