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.
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 given the nickname "El Pibe... read more Diego Maradona was probably the MVP of soccer, but it's close between Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.
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 the Time list of the 100 most important people of the 20th century. In 2000, Pelé was... read more The best footballer in the world. Well done!
Ambassador for fair play and Brazil.
The best footballer who ever lived.
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi was born on June 24, 1987. He is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for the American club, Inter Miami CF, in the MLS. Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. His birthplace is Rosario, Argentina. 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 da Silva (21 March 1960 – 1 May 1994) was a Brazilian racing driver who won three Formula One world championships for McLaren in 1988, 1990 and 1991 and is regarded as one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time. He was killed in an accident while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand... 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 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)... read more
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 Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a Colombian-Spanish singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer, choreographer, and model. 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, 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... 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
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... read more
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 language diminutive Evita. Wife of Juan Peron and First Lady of Argentina. The musical "Evita" was based upon her.
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 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Santos and the Brazil national team. He is also the captain of the national team... read more Neymar is the superstar of Brazil. He rules.
Pablo Neruda was the pen name and, later, legal name of the Chilean poet-diplomat and politician Ricardo Eliécer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto (July 12, 1904 – September 23, 1973), he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. One of the greatest poets of all time.
I picked Pablo because he is really, really good at writing poems.
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías was a Venezuelan politician who was President of Venezuela from 1999 until his death in 2013. Chávez was also leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when it merged with several other parties to form the United Socialist... 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 José de la Concordia García Márquez (6 March 1927 – 17 April 2014) was a Colombian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter and journalist... 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.
Why isn't he higher on the list? This guy basically liberated most of South America from the Spanish empire.
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, commonly known as Ronaldo, is a Brazilian business owner, president of La Liga club Real Valladolid, and a retired professional footballer who played as a striker. Popularly dubbed in Portuguese O Fenômeno ("The Phenomenon"), he is widely considered one of the greatest... read more
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. 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).
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira (born 21 March 1980), commonly known as Ronaldinho Gaúcho or simply Ronaldinho, is a Brazilian former professional footballer and current ambassador for Barcelona. He played mostly as an attacking midfielder, but was also deployed as a winger. Often considered one of the best... read more
Radamel Falcao García Zárate, also known as Radamel Falcao, or simply Falcao, is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a striker for English club Chelsea on loan from French club Monaco, and captain of the Colombia national team.