HistoryData

Famous People from Panama

44 notable historical figures from Panama, including leaders, artists, scientists, and other influential people.

Panama has produced 45 notable historical figures in various fields, with association football players making up the largest group at 25, followed by 15 politicians. The nation's political scene includes controversial leaders like Manuel Noriega, a military dictator from 1983 to 1989, and Omar Torrijos, who negotiated the Panama Canal treaties with the United States. Recent democratic leaders include presidents Juan Carlos Varela, Ricardo Martinelli, Mireya Moscoso, Laurentino Cortizo, and Martín Torrijos. Notable football players include Jorge Dely Valdés, goalkeeper Jaime Penedo, and Alfredo Anderson. The database also lists lawyers, ministers, and military personnel, showing Panama's contributions across professions. These figures illustrate Panama's transition from a strategic crossroads influenced by foreign powers to an independent nation with its own identity and international role.

Population of Panama — view historical data & charts
association football player (24)politician (10)lawyer (4)entrepreneur (2)diplomat (2)association football coach (2)drug lord (1)military engineer (1)actor (1)composer (1)
Manuel Noriega

Manuel Noriega

1934 – 2017

Panamanian military dictator who ruled from 1983 to 1989 and was later convicted on drug trafficking charges by a U.S. court.

drug lordmilitary engineermilitary personnelBorn February 11Wikipedia →
Rubén Blades

Rubén Blades

1948 – Present

Panamanian salsa singer, actor, and politician known for hits like "Pedro Navaja" and his role in the Predator film series.

actorlawyerministerBorn July 16Wikipedia →
Billy Cobham

Billy Cobham

1944 – Present

Panama-born jazz drummer and composer who gained fame with the Mahavishnu Orchestra and through his influential fusion recordings.

composerdrummereducatorBorn May 16Wikipedia →
Mariano Rivera

Mariano Rivera

1969 – Present

Legendary closer who played 19 seasons for the New York Yankees, recording 652 saves and winning five World Series championships before his Baseball Hall of Fame induction in 2019.

Ricardo Martinelli

Ricardo Martinelli

1952 – Present

Panamanian businessman and politician who served as the 49th President of Panama from 2009 to 2014.

entrepreneurpoliticianBorn March 29Wikipedia →
Luis Tejada

Luis Tejada

1982 – 2024

Panamanian striker who became his country's all-time leading goalscorer with 43 international goals before his death in 2024.

association football playerBorn March 28Wikipedia →
Jorge Illueca

Jorge Illueca

1918 – 2012

Panamanian diplomat and academic who served as interim President of Panama in 1984 and held various high-level positions in international organizations.

diplomatlawyerministerBorn September 17Wikipedia →
Omar Torrijos

Omar Torrijos

1929 – 1981

Panamanian military leader who ruled Panama from 1968 until his death in 1981 and negotiated the Panama Canal treaties with the United States.

military personnelpoliticianBorn February 13Wikipedia →
Juan Carlos Varela

Juan Carlos Varela

1963 – Present

Panamanian politician who served as the 50th President of Panama from 2014 to 2019.

entrepreneurministerpoliticianBorn December 12Wikipedia →
Guillermo Endara

Guillermo Endara

1936 – 2009

Panamanian lawyer and politician who served as president from 1989 to 1994 following the U.S. invasion that removed Noriega.

lawyerpoliticianBorn May 12Wikipedia →
Blas Pérez

Blas Pérez

1981 – Present

Panamanian striker who became one of the country's most prolific international goalscorers with over 40 caps.

association football playerBorn March 13Wikipedia →
José Raúl Mulino

José Raúl Mulino

1959 – Present

Panamanian lawyer and diplomat who became the 51st President of Panama in 2024.

diplomatlawyerpoliticianBorn June 13Wikipedia →
Mireya Moscoso

Mireya Moscoso

1946 – Present

Panama's first female president, serving from 1999 to 2004 as the country's 47th president.

Gabriel Gómez

Gabriel Gómez

1984 – Present

Panamanian midfielder who has represented his country in multiple international tournaments.

association football playerBorn May 29Wikipedia →
José Luis Rodríguez

José Luis Rodríguez

1998 – Present

Young Panamanian player who represents the next generation of talent in Panama's national football program.

association football playerBorn June 19Wikipedia →
Felipe Baloy

Felipe Baloy

1981 – Present

Panamanian defender who scored his country's first-ever World Cup goal at the 2018 tournament in Russia.

association football playerBorn February 24Wikipedia →
Arnulfo Arias

Arnulfo Arias

1901 – 1988

Panamanian physician and politician who served three separate terms as president between 1940 and 1968.

physicianpoliticianBorn August 15Wikipedia →
Alberto Quintero

Alberto Quintero

1987 – Present

Panamanian attacking midfielder and captain of the national team, known as one of Panama's most skilled and experienced players.

association football playerBorn December 18Wikipedia →
Román Torres

Román Torres

1986 – Present

Panamanian defender who played a key role in Panama's qualification for their first World Cup in 2018.

association football playerBorn March 20Wikipedia →
Martín Torrijos

Martín Torrijos

1963 – Present

Son of Omar Torrijos who served as Panama's 48th President from 2004 to 2009.

economistpoliticianBorn July 18Wikipedia →
Ernesto Pérez Balladares

Ernesto Pérez Balladares

1946 – Present

Panamanian politician and economist who served as President of Panama from 1994 to 1999, focusing on economic modernization and democratic consolidation.

Michael Amir Murillo

Michael Amir Murillo

1996 – Present

Panamanian defender who plays for the Panama national team and has competed in CONCACAF competitions.

association football playerBorn February 11Wikipedia →
Justine Pasek

Justine Pasek

1979 – Present

Panamanian beauty queen who won Miss Universe 2002, becoming the first Panamanian to hold the title. She also works as a concept artist in the entertainment industry.

beauty pageant contestantconcept artistBorn August 29Wikipedia →
Julio Dely Valdés

Julio Dely Valdés

1967 – Present

Former Panamanian striker who became the country's all-time leading goalscorer and later managed the national team, including during their historic 2018 World Cup qualification.

association football coachassociation football playerBorn March 12Wikipedia →
Fidel Escobar

Fidel Escobar

1995 – Present

Panamanian midfielder who has been a regular starter for the Panama national football team in World Cup qualifying matches.

association football playerBorn January 9Wikipedia →
Gabriel Torres

Gabriel Torres

1988 – Present

Panamanian striker who has been one of Panama's leading goalscorers and played a key role in their 2018 World Cup qualification.

association football playerBorn October 31Wikipedia →
Alonso Edward

Alonso Edward

1989 – Present

Panamanian sprinter who specializes in the 200 meters and has represented Panama at multiple Olympic Games and World Championships.

athletics competitorsprinterBorn December 8Wikipedia →
Adolfo Machado

Adolfo Machado

1985 – Present

Panamanian defender who played professionally in various leagues and represented Panama in international matches during the 2000s and 2010s.

association football playerBorn February 14Wikipedia →
Édgar Joel Bárcenas

Édgar Joel Bárcenas

1993 – Present

Panamanian winger known for his pace and crossing ability, who has represented Panama in major international tournaments.

association football playerBorn October 23Wikipedia →
Harold Cummings

Harold Cummings

1992 – Present

Panamanian central defender who has represented Panama in international competitions and plays professionally in Central America.

association football playerBorn March 1Wikipedia →
Armando Cooper

Armando Cooper

1987 – Present

Panamanian midfielder who has represented his country in international competitions and played professionally in North America.

association football playerBorn November 26Wikipedia →
Jaime Penedo

Jaime Penedo

1981 – Present

Panamanian goalkeeper who earned over 100 caps for the national team and played professionally in multiple countries.

association football playerBorn September 26Wikipedia →
Eric Davis

Eric Davis

1991 – Present

Panamanian defender who plays for the national team and has competed in European leagues.

association football playerBorn March 31Wikipedia →

Jorge Dely Valdés

1967 – Present

Panamanian footballer who scored 43 goals in 69 international appearances and later became a football coach.

association football coachassociation football playerBorn March 12Wikipedia →
Eric Arturo Delvalle

Eric Arturo Delvalle

1937 – 2015

Panamanian politician who served as President of Panama from 1985 to 1988 during a turbulent period in the country's political history.

Abdiel Arroyo

Abdiel Arroyo

1993 – Present

Panamanian forward who has represented his country in international competitions and plays in professional leagues across the Americas.

association football playerBorn December 13Wikipedia →

Ismael Díaz

1997 – Present

Panamanian forward who represents the national team and has played in European leagues including Spain's lower divisions.

association football playerBorn May 12Wikipedia →
Laurentino Cortizo

Laurentino Cortizo

1953 – Present

Current President of Panama who took office in July 2024 as the country's 52nd president.

Ricardo Ávila

Ricardo Ávila

1997 – Present

Panamanian midfielder who plays professionally in Central American leagues and has earned caps for the national team.

association football playerBorn February 4Wikipedia →
Irving Saladino

Irving Saladino

1983 – Present

Panamanian long jumper who won Panama's first Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

José Calderón

1985 – Present

Panamanian goalkeeper who has served as Panama's primary keeper and played professionally in leagues across North and Central America.

association football playerBorn August 14Wikipedia →

Álex Rodríguez

1990 – Present

Panamanian defender who has been a consistent presence in Panama's national team squad during their rise in international football.

association football playerBorn August 5Wikipedia →

Alfredo Anderson

1978 – Present

Panamanian defender who played for the national team and various clubs in Central America.

association football playerBorn October 31Wikipedia →

Related Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Manuel Noriega and why is he famous?
Manuel Noriega was the military dictator of Panama from 1983 to 1989. He is known for his involvement in drug trafficking and was captured by U.S. forces during the 1989 invasion of Panama.
Which famous soccer players are from Panama?
Jorge Dely Valdés and Jaime Penedo are among Panama's most recognized soccer players. Dely Valdés was an international striker, while Penedo was the national team's goalkeeper for many years.
Who was the first female president of Panama?
Mireya Moscoso was Panama's first female president, serving from 1999 to 2004. She was the widow of former president Arnulfo Arias and had a notable influence on Panamanian politics during her term.