Top 10 Most Famous South American People

South America, a continent known for its rich cultural diversity, breathtaking landscapes, and a history that's as colorful as it is profound, has produced many individuals who have had a significant impact on the world stage.

From incredible athletes who've dazzled on the football pitch to revolutionary thinkers who've challenged societal norms, the list of famous South Americans is extensive and impressive.

Have you ever wondered about the artists who've brought unique flavors to music or the writers whose words have resonated globally? How about the political leaders who've steered their nations through turbulent times or the actors who've charmed audiences with their talent? They're here, and they're all part of the vibrant tapestry that makes South America so distinct and engaging.

The Top Ten

Diego Maradona (Footballer)

Diego Armando Maradona (October 30, 1960 - November 25, 2020) was an Argentine professional footballer. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, he was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award. Maradona was nicknamed "El Pibe de Oro... read more

Diego Maradona was probably the MVP of soccer, but it's close between Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.
Pele (Footballer)

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as "Pelé", was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward. In 1999, he was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee and was included in Time's list of the 100 most important people of the 20th century. In 2000, Pelé was voted... read more

The best footballer in the world. Well done!

Ambassador for fair play and Brazil.

The best footballer who ever lived.
Lionel Messi (Footballer)

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi, born June 24, 1987, is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer. Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, Messi has won eight Ballon d'Or awards and numerous domestic and international titles. He... read more

He is the best current soccer player in the world, so I decided he should be voted for at least once in this. He is a really good player, and I wanted him to win. At least he gets one vote. I think he should have gotten at least second, after Pele, because he is the best current in the world.

Everyone knows this guy. Whether they know everything about him or if they just know he exists, THEY KNOW HIM.

Just old people know Pele. Messi is known by everyone on the planet.
Ayrton Senna (F1 Driver)

Ayrton Senna da Silva was a Brazilian racing driver born on March 21, 1960. He won three Formula One World Championships with McLaren in 1988, 1990, and 1991 and is widely considered one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time. Senna died on May 1, 1994, following a crash while leading the San... read more

Truly a man of goodwill. Despite all the times he might've been cheated out of victories, he showed the people of Brazil what hard work could achieve. He felt guilty being born in a richer family, and in the country of Brazil, the gap between poor and rich is still wide. He believed everyone should be given a fair chance, and he planned on making a school for anyone to learn, before the tragedy struck in what became his last race.

Hey, people. Ayrton Senna had to be the best Formula 1 driver in history, by far. He sadly died one day doing what he loved, racing. He was amazing, with tons of awards. Do you know how much he meant to so many people? Please vote for him, the man who changed racing history for all Formula 1 fans.
Luis Suarez (Footballer)

Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz, born on January 24, 1987, is a Uruguayan professional footballer. He currently plays as a striker for Inter Miami CF, an American club competing in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Suárez retired from international football in September 2024, concluding his tenure as Uruguay's... read more
Paulo Coelho (Author)
Evo Morales (Politician)

Evo Morales was born on October 26, 1959, in Isallavi, Bolivia. He served as president of Bolivia from January 22, 2006, until his resignation on November 10, 2019.
In 2025, Bolivia's Constitutional Tribunal ruled that Morales is permanently barred from running for office again due to term limits... read more
Antonio Valencia (Footballer)

Luis Antonio Valencia Mosquera, known as Antonio Valencia (born August 4, 1985), is an Ecuadorian former professional footballer who played primarily as a right-sided player throughout his career. He initially played as a right winger before transitioning into a right-back.... read more

The South American with the most started games in Premier League history. The only South American to wear the captain's armband for Manchester United.
Shakira (Singer)

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a Colombian-Spanish singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer, choreographer, and model. She rose to international fame in the late 1990s with Latin pop hits and has sold over 85 million records worldwide. Shakira is also known for her philanthropic work through her... read more

Shakira is epic! She rocks, and she is the best Gazelle in the world!

She's the most famous South American in the modern world.

She is the world's best singer, and she is married to Gerard Piqué.
Ernesto Che Guevara (Revolutionary)

Ernesto "Che" Guevara, commonly known as El Che or simply Che, was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, guerrilla leader, diplomat, and military theorist.
He was captured in 1967 during a failed armed insurgency in Bolivia. On the evening of October 8, he was taken to a small... read more

Legend man, firm in his objective. He devoted his life to freedom!

It's so amazing that he dedicated his life to this. Laugh out loud.
Incredible!

I am an admirer of rebels, so I naturally think that Che is the coolest person ever.

The Newcomers

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Pope Francis

Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 17 December 1936-21 April 2025) was the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He held the title ex officio as Bishop of Rome and Sovereign of Vatican City. Serving as head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2013 until his death... read more
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Salvador Allende (Politician)

The Contenders

Eva Peron (First Lady)

María Eva Duarte de Perón was the second wife of Argentine President Juan Perón and served as the First Lady of Argentina from 1946 until her death in 1952. She is usually referred to as Eva Perón, or by the affectionate Spanish diminutive Evita.... read more

Wife of Juan Peron and First Lady of Argentina. The musical "Evita" was based upon her.
Neymar Jr (Footballer)

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior (born February 5, 1992), commonly known as Neymar or Neymar Jr, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal and the Brazil national team.
He is the all-time top goalscorer for the Brazil national team.... read more

Neymar is the superstar of Brazil. He rules.
Sonia Braga (Actress)
Pablo Neruda (Poet)

Pablo Neruda was the pen name and later the legal name of Chilean poet-diplomat and politician Ricardo Eliécer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto. He was born on July 12, 1904, and died on September 23, 1973. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971 for his powerful and influential poetry.

One of the greatest poets of all time.

I picked Pablo because he is really, really good at writing poems.
Hugo Chavez (Politician)

Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías was a Venezuelan politician who served as President of Venezuela from 1999 until his death in 2013. He was the founder and leader of the Fifth Republic Movement from 1997 until 2007, when it merged with other parties to form the United Socialist Party of Venezuela. Chávez led... read more

An incredible man who fought for freedom and the same rights for all.

The revolutionary of South America! A great man! Equality for all...
Gabriel García Márquez (Novelist)

Gabriel José de la Concordia García Márquez (March 6, 1927 - April 17, 2014) was a Colombian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter, and journalist. He is considered one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century and one of the greatest authors in the Spanish language.... read more

I don't think Carlos Gardel or Selma Braga will be remembered in 200 years, but Gabriel Garcia Marquez certainly will. This list should be comprised of people who are worthy to be known.

To write is to give joy to others, and giving joy is the best thing you can do for yourself and everyone else. That is what she does best.
Simon Bolivar (Politician)

Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios (24 July 1783 to 17 December 1830) was a Venezuelan statesman and military officer who played a central role in the independence movements of several South American countries from the Spanish Empire. He led efforts that resulted in the independence... read more

Why isn't he higher on the list? This guy basically liberated most of South America from the Spanish empire.
Carlos Gardel (Singer)
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima (Footballer)

Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, commonly known as Ronaldo, is a Brazilian businessman, president of La Liga club Real Valladolid, and a retired professional footballer who played as a striker. Nicknamed "O Fenômeno" ("The Phenomenon") in Portuguese, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers... read more
Pablo Escobar (Drug Lord)

Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria, born on December 1, 1949, was a Colombian drug lord, narcoterrorist, and politician who was the founder and sole leader of the Medellín Cartel. Dubbed The King of Cocaine, he was the wealthiest criminal in history, with an estimated net worth of 30 billion dollars by the... read more

The most famous drug dealer to have ever lived, he revolutionized the Colombian drug trade and was a millionaire at 21. Known as the Colombian Robin Hood, he was stern and charitable, famous for his 'plato o plomo' philosophy (silver or lead/bullets).
Don Francisco (TV Host)
Ronaldinho (Footballer)

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, born March 21, 1980, is better known by his nickname Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho Gaúcho. He is a Brazilian former professional footballer and a current ambassador for FC Barcelona... read more
Olivia Hussey (Actress)
Melanie Cross (Actress)
Radamel Falcao (Footballer)

Radamel Falcao García Zárate, known as Radamel Falcao or simply Falcao, is a Colombian professional footballer. He plays as a striker for English club Chelsea on loan from French club Monaco. Falcao also serves as the captain of the Colombia national team.