List of Spaniards

This is a list, in alphabetical order within categories, of notable people of Spanish heritage and descent born and raised in Spain.

Note: The same person may appear under several headings.

Reino de España (Spanish)

(Flag of Spain) (Coat of Arms of Spain)

Actors

Antonio Banderas

Penélope Cruz

• Victoria Abril (born 1957)
• Ana Belén (born 1951)
• Mario Casas (born 1986)
• Elena Anaya (born 1975)
• Antonio Banderas (born 1960)
• Javier Bardem (born 1969)
• Pilar Bardem (born 1939)
• Claudia Bassols (born 1979)
• Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey (born 1986)
• Juan Diego Botto (born 1975)
• Mark Consuelos (born 1970)
• Penélope Cruz (born 1974)
• Gabino Diego (born 1966)
• Angelines Fernández (1922–1994)
• Fernando Fernán Gómez (1921–2007)
• Sancho Gracia (1936–2012)
• Alfredo Landa (1933–2013)
• Sergi López (born 1965)
• Jordi Mollà (born 1968)
• Sara Montiel (1928–2013)
• Paul Naschy (1934–2009)
• Fernando Rey (1917–1994)
• Fernando Sancho (1916–1990)
• María Valverde (born 1986)
• Paz Vega (born 1976)
• Maribel Verdú (born 1970)

Artists

Salvador Dalí

• David Aja comics artist.
• Chumy Chúmez (1927–2003) cartoonist
• Salvador Dalí (1904–1989), surrealist artist.
• Óscar Domínguez (1906–1957), surrealist artist.
• Pasqual Ferry comics artist.
• Francisco de Goya (1746–1828), painter and engraver.
• El Greco (1541–1614), painter and sculptor.
• Juan Gris (1887–1927), cubist painter.
• Jesús Mari Lazkano (born 1960), painter.
• Joan Miró (1893–1983), painter, sculptor and ceramist.
• Joaquín Sorolla (1863–1923), painter.
• Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1618–1682), painter.
• Carlos Pacheco (born 1961) Comics artist.
• Pablo Picasso (1881–1973), painter and sculptor, co-founder of cubism.
• Antoni Tàpies (1923–2012), abstract expressionist painter.
• Diego Velázquez (1599–1660), painter.
• Ignacio Zuloaga (1870–1945), painter.
• Francisco de Zurbarán (1598–1644), painter.

Explorers and conquistadores

Hernán Cortés

• Lope de Aguirre (1511–1561), soldier and adventurer, explored the Amazon River looking for El Dorado.
• Diego de Almagro (1475–1538), explorer and conquistador, first European in Chile.
• Juan Bautista de Anza (1736–1788), soldier and explorer, founded San Francisco, California.
• Sebastián de Belalcázar (1480–1551), first explorer in search of El Dorado in 1535 and conqueror of Ecuador and southern Colombia (Presidencia of Quito), founded Quito 1534, Cali 1536, Pasto 1537, and Popayán 1537.
• Fray Tomás de Berlanga (1487–1551), bishop of Panama, discovered the Galápagos Islands.
• Juan Bermúdez (1450–1520), explorer and skier, discovered the Bermuda Islands
• Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca (c. 1490–c. 1559), first European to explore the southwestern of what is now the United States (1528–1536), also explored South America (1540–1542).
• Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo (1499–1543), explorer, discovered California.
• Gabriel de Castilla (1577–1620), sailor; in 1603 he became probably the first man ever to sight Antarctica.
• Cosme Damián Churruca (1761–1805), explorer, astronomer and naval officer, mapped the Strait of Magellan (1788–1789).
• Francisco Vásquez de Coronado (c. 1510–1554), explored New Mexico and other parts of the southwest of what is now the United States (1540–1542).
• Hernán Cortés (1485–1547), conquistador of the Aztec Empire, explorer of Baja California Peninsula.
• Juan Sebastián Elcano (1476–1526), explorer and sailor, first man to circumnavigate the world.
• Gaspar de Espinosa (1467/1477–1537), soldier and explorer, first European to reach the coast of Nicaragua, co-founder of Panama City.
• Salvador Fidalgo (1756–1803), naval officer and cartographer, explored Alaska in 1790, he named Cordova, Port Gravina, and Valdez.
• Miguel López de Legazpi (1502–1572), explored and conquered the Philippine Islands in 1565.
• Vasco Núñez de Balboa (1475–1519), first European to sight the Pacific Ocean, founder of Darién.
• Francisco de Orellana (c. 1500–c. 1549), first European to explore the Amazon River.
• Pedrarias Dávila (Pedro Arias de Ávila, 1440–1531), conquistador, founder of Panama and governor of Nicaragua.
• Francisco Pizarro (1471–1541), conqueror of the Inca Empire in Peru.
• Juan Ponce de León (1460–1521), first European to explore Florida (1513); he founded the first European settlement in Puerto Rico (1508).
• Gaspar de Portolà (c. 1717–aft. 1784), explorer, founder of Monterey (California).
• Bartolomé Ruiz (c. 1482–1532), first European to explore Ecuador; pilot for Pizarro and Colombus.
• Hernando de Soto (1500–1542), explorer and conquistador, first European to explore the plains of eastern North America; discovered the Mississippi river and the Ohio river.
• Pedro de Valdivia (c. 1500–1554), conquistador of Chile, founder of Santiago, Concepción, and Valdivia.
• Vicente Yáñez Pinzón (c. 1461?–1514), explorer and sailor, first European to reach the coast of Brazil.
• Amaro Rodríguez Felipe (c. 1678–1747), was a famous pirate.

Film directors

• Pedro Almodóvar (born 1949)
• Alejandro Amenábar (born 1972)
• Montxo Armendáriz (born 1949)
• Carlos Atanes (born 1971)
• Juanma Bajo Ulloa (born 1967)
• Jaume Balagueró (born 1968)
• Juan Antonio Bardem (1922–2002)
• Juan Antonio Bayona (1975)
• Icíar Bollaín (born 1967)
• José Luis Borau (1929–2012)
• Luis Buñuel (1900–1983)
• Mario Camus (born 1935)
• Segundo de Chomón (1871–1929)
• Isabel Coixet (born 1962)
• Agustín Díaz Yanes (born 1950)
• Víctor Erice (born 1940)
• Fernando Fernán Gómez (1921–2007)
• Jesús Franco (1930–2013)
• José Luis Garci (born 1944)
• Luis García Berlanga (1921–2010)
• Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón (born 1942)
• Álex de la Iglesia (born 1965)
• Fernando León de Aranoa (born 1968)
• Bigas Luna (1946–2013)
• Julio Médem (born 1958)
• Pilar Miró (1940–1997)
• Paul Naschy (1934–2009)
• Amando de Ossorio (1918–2001)
• Ventura Pons (born 1945)
• José Luis Sáenz de Heredia (1911–1992)
• Carlos Saura (born 1932)
• Santiago Segura (born 1965)
• David Trueba (born 1969)
• Fernando Trueba (born 1955)
• Agustí Villaronga (born 1953)
• Benito Zambrano (born 1964)
• Lydia Zimmermann (born 1966)
• Iván Zulueta (born 1943)

Leaders and politicians

Medieval ancestors

• Pelayo of Asturias (690–737), founding king of the Kingdom of Asturias.
• Abd-ar-Rahman III (891–961), Emir (912–929) and Caliph of Córdoba (929–961).
• Al-Mansur (c. 938–1002), de facto ruler of Muslim Al-Andalus in late 10th early 11th centuries.
• Alfonso X of Castile (1221–1284).

Modern

• Isabella of Castile, the Catholic (1451–1504), Queen of Castile and León (1474–1504, with Ferdinand).
• Ferdinand II, the Catholic (1452–1516), King of Aragon (1479–1516), Castile and León (1474–1504, with Isabella), Sicily (1479–1516), Naples (1504–1516) and Valencia (1479–1516).
• Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros (1436–1517), cardinal, statesman, and regent of Spain.
• Juana of Castile frequently called "the Mad", queen of Castile and León. Daughter of Isabella and Ferdinand.
• Charles V (1500–1558), Holy Roman Emperor (1530–1556 but did not formally abdicate until 1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506–1555), King of Spain (1516–1556), King of Naples and Sicily (1516–1554), Archduke of Austria (1519–1521), King of the Romans (or German King). Though he is often referred to as Carlos V, he ruled officially as Carlos I, hence Charles I of Spain.
• Philip II (1526–1598), King of Spain (1556–1598).
• Philip V (1683–1746), King of Spain (1700–1746).
• Charles III (1716–1788), King of Spain (1759–1788).
• Ferdinand VII (1784–1833), King of Spain (1813–1833).

Contemporary

• Leopoldo O'Donnell, Duke of Tetuan (1809–1867), general and Prime Minister (1856; 1858–1863; 1864–1866).
• Juan Prim (1814–1870), general, liberal leader, revolutionary and statesman.
• Antonio Cánovas del Castillo (1828–1897), Prime Minister.
• 20th and 21st centuries:
  • Manuel Azaña (1880–1940), Premier (twice) and President during the Second Spanish Republic.
  • José María Aznar (born 1953), Prime Minister (1996–2004).
  • Josep Borrell (born 1947), President of the European Parliament (2004–2007).
  • Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo (1926–2008) Prime Minister (1981–1982)
  • Santiago Carrillo (1915–2012), the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Spain (PCE) from 1960 to 1982.
  • Buenaventura Durruti (1896–1936), anarchist leader.
  • Francisco Franco (1892–1975), Army general and dictator, ruled Spain for 36 years as "Caudillo" (1939–1975).
  • María Teresa Fernández de la Vega (born 1949), Spanish Socialist Workers' Party politician and the first female First Vice President.
  • Felipe González (born 1942), Prime Minister (1982–1996).
  • Dolores Ibárruri (1895–1989), widely known as "La Pasionaria", leader of the Spanish Civil War and communist politician.
  • Juan Carlos I (born 1938), King of Spain (1975–2014).
  • José Antonio Primo de Rivera (1903–1936).
  • Mariano Rajoy (born 1955) Prime Minister (2011–present).
  • Rodrigo Rato (born 1949), Managing Director of the IMF since 4 May 2004.
  • Adolfo Suárez (1932–2014), Prime Minister (1976–1981).
  • Javier Solana (born 1942), Secretary General of NATO (1995–1999) and High Representative (since 1999) of the CFSP of the Council of the European Union.
  • José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero (born 1960), Prime Minister (2004–2011).
  • Felipe VI (born 1968), King of Spain since 2014.

Literature

A–D

Miguel de Cervantes

• Pedro Antonio de Alarcón (1833–1891), novelist.
• Rafael Alberti (1902–1999), poet, Cervantes Prize Laureate (1983).
• Baltasar del Alcázar (1530–1606), poet.
• Ignacio Aldecoa (1925-1969)
• Mateo Alemán (1547–c. 1609), novelist.
• Vicente Aleixandre (1888–1984), poet, Nobel Prize Laureate (1977).
• Dámaso Alonso, poet, Cervantes Prize Laureate (1978).
• Francisco Ayala (born 1906), novelist, Cervantes Prize Laureate (1991).
• Azorín (José Martínez Ruiz) (1863–1967), journalist, poet, novelist and essayist.
• Ricardo Baeza Durán (1890-1956)
• Elia Barceló (born 1957)
• Pío Baroja (1872–1956), novelist.
• Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836–1870), romantic poet and tale writer.
• Jacinto Benavente (1866–1954), dramatist, Nobel Prize Laureate (1922).
• Vicente Blasco Ibáñez (1867–1928), novelist, wrote The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1916).
• Antonio Buero Vallejo (1916–2000), playwright.
• Pedro Calderón de la Barca (1600–1681), playwright and poet.
• Luis Carandell Robusté (1929–2002), journalist and writer.
• Alejandro Casona (1903–1965)
• Abraham Castanho, (mid 17th century), poet.
• José Manuel Castañón (1920–2001), novelist and essayist.
• Rosalía de Castro (1837–1885), poet.
• Camilo José Cela (1916–2002), novelist, Nobel Prize Laureate (1989).
• Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616), novelist, poet and playwright, author of Don Quixote (1605 & 1615).
• Clarín (Leopoldo Alas) (1852–1901), novelist.
• Javier Cosnava (born 1971), novelist
• Miguel Delibes (born 1920), novelist, Cervantes Prize Laureate (1993).
• Demófilo (848–1893)
• Agustín Díaz Pacheco (born 1953), journalist and novelist.
• Gerardo Diego (1896–1987), poet, Cervantes Prize Laureate (1979).
• Rafael Dieste (1899-1981)
• María Dueñas (born 1964)

E–H

• José Echegaray (1832–1916), dramatist, Nobel Prize Laureate (1904).
• Antonio Escohotado Espinosa (born 1941)
• Vicente Espinel (1550–1624), poet and novelist.
• José de Espronceda (1808–1842), romantic poet.
• Leandro Fernández de Moratín (1760–1828), dramatist and neoclassical poet.
• José María Gabriel y Galán (1870–1905), poet.
• Antonio Gala (born 1936), poet, dramatist and novelist.
• Rafael Gambra Ciudad (1920-2004), philosopher and author.
• Juan García Hortelano (1928-1992)
• Federico García Lorca (1898–1936), poet and dramatist.
• Ramón Gómez de la Serna (1888–1963), writer, dramatist and avant-garde agitator.
• Luis de Góngora (1561–1627), lyric poet.
• Juan Goyanarte (1900-1955), editor and writer.
• Baltasar Gracián (1601–1658), baroque prose writer and philosopher.
• Jorge Guillén (1893–1984), poet, Cervantes Prize Laureate (1976).
• Miguel Hernández (1910–1942), poet.

I–L

• Juan Ramón Jiménez (1881–1958), poet, Nobel Prize Laureate (1956).
• John of the Cross (1542–1591), mystic poet.
• Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos (1744–1811), main figure of the Spanish Age of Enlightenment, philosopher, statesman, poet and essayist.
• Jon Juaristi (born 1951), poet and essayist.
• Mariano José de Larra (1809–1837), literary journalist.
• Fray Luis de León (1527–1591), poet of the Spanish Golden Age.
• Torcuato Luca de Tena (1923–1999), novelist, journalist and lawyer.

M–P

• Antonio Machado (1875–1939), poet.
• Salvador de Madariaga (1886–1978), essayist.
• César Mallorquí (born 1953)
• José Mallorquí Figuerola (1913–1972)
• Jorge Manrique (1440–1479), poet.
• Javier Marías (born 1951), novelist and translator.
• Juan Marsé (born 1933), novelist.
• Francisco Martínez Motiño
• Carmen Martín Gaite (1925–2000)
• Joanot Martorell (1413–1468), author of the first novel, Tirant lo Blanc (1490).
• Eduardo Mendoza (born 1943), writer.
• Juan González Mesa (born 1975)
• Tirso de Molina (1571–1648), playwright.
• Agustín Moreto y Cavana (1618–1661), dramatist and playwright.
• José Ortega y Gasset (1883–1955), essayist.
• Emilia Pardo Bazán (1851–1921), novelist.
• Benito Pérez Galdós (1843–1920), novelist.
• Arturo Pérez-Reverte (born 1951), best-selling novelist and journalist.
• Francisco Pi y Arsuaga (1865–1912)
• Francesc Pi i Margall (1824–1901)
• Miguel de Portilla y Esquivel (1660–1732), writer.
• Santiago Posteguillo

Q–T

• Francisco de Quevedo (1580–1645), novelist, essayist and poet, master of Conceptism.
• Juan Antonio Ramírez Domínguez (1948–2009), essayist.
• Pepe Rodríguez (born 1953)
• Fernando de Rojas (1465–1541), novelist, author of La Celestina (1499).
• Carlos Rojas Vila (born 1928)
• Francisco de Rojas Zorrilla (1607–1660), dramatist.
• Luis Romero (1916–2009)
• Juan Ruiz de Alarcón (c. 1581–1639), dramatist.
• Víctor Ruiz Iriarte (1912–1982), dramatist.
• Carlos Ruiz Zafón (born 1964), best-selling novelist.
• Pedro Salinas (1891–1951), poet.
• Félix María Samaniego (1745–1801)
• Agustín Sánchez Vidal (born 1948), novelist.
• Fernando Sánchez Dragó (born 1936)
• Ramón J. Sender (1901–1982), novelist and journalist.
• Dolores Soler-Espiauba (born 1935), novelist
• Enrique Tierno Galván (1918–1986)
• Gonzalo Torrente Ballester (1910–1999), novelist.
• Fernando Trujillo Sanz

U–Z

• Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936), existentialist author and essayist.
• Ramón María del Valle-Inclán (1866–1936), dramatist, novelist and member of the Generation of 98.
• Juan Antonio Vallejo-Nágera Botas (1926–1990)
• Alberto Vázquez-Figueroa (born 1936), novelist.
• Alonso Vázquez (155?–1615)
• Manuel Vázquez Montalbán (1939–2003)
• Garcilaso de la Vega (1501–1536), Renaissance poet.
• "El Inca" Garcilaso de la Vega (1539–1616), first mestizo author in Spanish language.
• Félix Lope de Vega (1562–1635), poet and playwright.
• María de Zayas y Sotomayor (1590–1660), novelist.
• José Zorrilla y Moral (1817–1893), poet and dramatist, author of Don Juan Tenorio (1844).

Military

• 3rd Duke of Alba (Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 1507–1582), general and governor of the Spanish Netherlands (1567–1573).
• Don Juan de Austria (1547–1578), general and admiral; he defeated Müezzinzade Ali Pasha in the Battle of Lepanto (1571).
• Blas de Lezo (1687–1741), admiral, leading 6 warships and 3.700 men defeated a British invasion force of 28.000 troops and 186 warships, during the Siege of Cartagena, in 1741.
• Álvaro de Bazán, 1st Marquis of Santa Cruz (1526–1588), admiral.
• Francisco Javier Castaños, 1st Duke of Bailén (1758–1852), general; he defeated Dupont in the Battle of Bailén (1808).
• El Cid (Rodrigo 'Ruy' Díaz de Vivar, c. 1045–1099), knight and hero.
• Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, "El Gran Capitán" (1453–1515), general and strategist of Early modern warfare.
• Francisco Franco (1892–1975), general; from 1939 dictator and formal Head of State of Spain.
• Bernardo de Gálvez (1746–1786), Field Marshal and governor of Louisiana, Spanish hero of the American Revolution.
• Juan Martín Díez, "El Empecinado" (1775–1825), head of guerrilla bands promoted to Brigadier-General of cavalry during the Peninsular War.
• Casto Méndez Núñez (1830–1880), admiral.
• Pedro Navarro, Count of Oliveto (c. 1460–1528), prominent military and general.
• Álvaro Navia-Osorio Vigil, Marquis of Santa Cruz de Marcenado, (1684–1732), general, author of the treatise Reflexiones Militares (Military Reflections)
• Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma (1545–1592), Spanish general and Military governor of the Spanish Netherlands.
• Ambrosio Spinola, marqués de los Balbases (1569–1630), general.
• Fernando Villaamil (1845–1898), naval officer, designer of the first destroyer.

Models

• Esther Cañadas (born 1977)
• Jon Kortajarena (born 1985)
• Sheila Marquez (born 1985)
• Judit Mascó (born 1969)
• Marina Pérez (born 1984)
• Inés Sastre (born 1973)

Musicians

Classical

Pablo Casals

• Isaac Albéniz (1860–1909), composer.
• Salvador Bacarisse (1898–1963), composer.
• Pablo Casals (1876–1973), cello player and conductor.
• Manuel de Falla (1876–1946), composer.
• Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (born 1933), conductor.
• Enrique Granados (1867–1916), composer.
• Enrique Jordá (1911–1996), conductor, music director of the San Francisco Symphony (1954–1963).
• Francisco Lara (born 1968), composer and conductor
• Alicia de Larrocha (1923–2009), pianist.
• Vicente Martín y Soler (1754–1806), composer.
• Luis de Pablo (born 1930), composer.
• Blas de Laserna, composer.
• Joaquín Rodrigo (1901–1999), composer and pianist, known for his Concierto de Aranjuez.
• Gaspar Sanz (1640–1710), composer, dominate figure of Spanish baroque music.
• Jordi Savall (born 1941), early and baroque music conductor and viol player.
• Andrés Segovia (1893–1987), classical guitarist.
• Antonio Soler (1729–1783), composer, known for his harpsichord sonatas.
• Francisco Tárrega (1852–1909), composer and classical guitarist.
• Joaquín Turina (1882–1949), composer.
• Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548–1611), the most famous composer of the 16th century (late Renaissance) in Spain.
• Paco de Lucía (1947–2014), flamenco guitarist and composer. He is regarded as one of the finest guitarists in the world and the greatest living guitarist of the flamenco genre.

Opera singers

Plácido Domingo

• Victoria de los Ángeles (1923–2005), soprano.
• Teresa Berganza (born 1935), mezzo-soprano.
• Montserrat Caballé (born 1933), soprano.
• Nancy Fabiola Herrera (born 19??), mezzo-soprano.
• José Carreras (born 1946), one of The Three Tenors.
• Antonio Cortis (1891–1952), tenor.
• Plácido Domingo (born 1941), one of The Three Tenors.
• Manuel del Pópulo Vicente García (1775–1832), tenor.
• María Gay (1879–1943), mezzo-soprano.
• Alfredo Kraus (1927–1999), tenor.
• Hipólito Lázaro (1887–1974), tenor.
• Carlos Marín (1968) baritone, member of operatic quartet "Il Divo""
• María José Montiel', mezzo-soprano
• Adelina Patti (1843–1919), coloratura soprano.
• Conchita Supervía (1895–1936), mezzo-soprano.
• Francisco Viñas (1863–1933), tenor.

Singers

Enrique Iglesias

• Alaska (born 1963) pop-rock singer.
• Pablo Alboran (born 1989) singer
• Eva Amaral (born 1972) pop and folk rock singer.
• Ana Belén (born 1951), singer and actress.
• David Bisbal (born 1979), Almeria singer-songwriter.
• Miguel Bosé (born 1956), pop singer.
• Nino Bravo (1944–1973), singer.
• Camarón de la Isla (1950–1992), Flamenco singer, real name José Monje Cruz.
• Luz Casal (born 1958), pop singer.
• Chiquetete real name Antonio José Cortés, (born 1948), singer.
• Rocío Dúrcal (1944–2006), singer
• Manolo García (born 1955), singer-songwriter.
• Enrique Iglesias (born 1975), singer
• Julio Iglesias (born 1943), pop singer.
• Rocío Jurado (1946–2006), singer
• Lola Flores (1923–1995), singer and flamenco dancer
• Lolita Flores (born 1958), singer and actress.
• Víctor Manuel (born 1947), singer.
• Amaia Montero (born 1976) pop singer.
• Carlos Núñez (born 1971), bagpipes and Galician (Celtic) music performer.
• Paloma San Basilio, singer
• Jordi Savall (born 1941), film music composer.
• José Luis Perales (born 1945), singer
• Camilo Sesto (born 1946), singer
• Isabel Pantoja (born 1956), singer.
• Niña Pastori, (born María Rosa García García in 1978), flamenco singer.
• José Luis Perales (born 1945), singer.
• Raphael (born 1943), pop singer.
• Joaquín Sabina (born 1949), singer-songwriter.
• Alejandro Sanz (born 1968), pop singer.
• Joan Manuel Serrat (born 1943), Catalan singer-songwriter.
• Ana Torroja (born 1959) pop rock singer.
• Enrique Urquijo (1960–1999), founder of the band Los Secretos with his brother Álvaro, lead voice and composer

Philosophers and humanists

• Alfonso X of Castile (1221–1284), El Sabio ("The Wise").
• Francisco de Enzinas (1518–1552), humanist and translator of the New Testament
• Baltasar Gracián (1601–1658), author of El Criticón, influenced European philosophers such as Schopenhauer.
• Bartolomé de Las Casas (1484–1566), humanist, advocate of the rights of Native Americans.
• Salvador de Madariaga (1886–1978), humanist, co-founder of the College of Europe (1949).
• Gregorio Marañón (1887–1960), humanist and medical scientist, important intellectual of the 20th century in Spain.
• Marcelino Menéndez Pelayo (1856–1912), philologist, historian and erudite.
• Julián Marías (1914–2005), philosopher. Wrote the History of Philosophy
• Ramón Menéndez Pidal (1869–1968), philologist, historian and erudite member of Generation of '98.
• Antonio de Nebrija (1441–1522), scholar, published the first grammar of the Spanish language (Gramática Castellana, 1492), which was the first grammar produced of any Romance language.
• José Ortega y Gasset (1883–1955), philosopher, social and political thinker, author of The Revolt of the Masses (1930).
• Bernardino de Sahagún (1499–1590), Franciscan missionary, researched Nahua culture and Nahuatl language and compiled an unparalleled work in Spanish and Náhuatl.
• George Santayana (1863–1952), philosopher, taught at Harvard, author of The Sense of Beauty (1896) and The Life of Reason (1905–6).
• Fernando Savater (born 1947), philosopher and essayist, known for his writings on ethics.
• Francisco Suárez (1548–1617), one of the most influential scholastics after Thomas Aquinas.
• Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936), existentialist writer and literary theoretician.
• Juan Luis Vives (1492–1540), prominent figure of Renaissance humanism, taught at Leuven and Oxford (while tutor to Mary Tudor).
• Xavier Zubiri (1889–1983), philosopher, critic of classical metaphysics.

Religion

• Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros (1436–1517), religious reformer, bishop, cardinal and statesman.
• St Dominic of Guzmán (1170–1221), founder of the Order of Preachers.
• St Isidore of Seville (c. 560-636), bishop, humanist and doctor of the Church.
• St Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556), founder of the Society of Jesus.
• St John of Avila (1500–1569), priest, preacher, theologian and mystic.
• St John of the Cross (1542–1591), mystic and monastic reformer, doctor of the Church.
• Saints Nunilo and Alodia (died c. 842/51), child martyrs.
• Vicente Enrique y Tarancón (1907–1994) bishop, cardinal and president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference.
• St Teresa of Avila (1515–1582), mystic and monastic reformer, doctor of the Church.
• Tomás de Torquemada (1420–1498), Grand Inquisitor.
• St Joaquina Vedruna (1783–1854), founder of the Carmelite Sisters of the Charity.
• St Vincent Martyr (died c. 304), deacon martyr.
• St Francis Xavier (1506–1552), missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus.
• Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur (1626–1667), missionary in Guatemala.
• José de Anchieta (1534–1597), missionary in Brazil. Founder of city Sao Paulo and co-founder of city Rio de Janeiro.

Science and technology

Santiago Ramón y Cajal

• José de Acosta (1540–1600), one of the first naturalists and anthropologists of the Americas.
• José María Algué (1856–1930), meteorologist, inventor of the barocyclometer, the nephoscope, and the microseismograph.
• Rafael Alvarado Ballester (1924–2001)
• Jerónimo de Ayanz y Beaumont (1553–1613), registered design for steam-powered water pump for use in mines (1606).
• Ignacio Barraquer (1884–1965), leading ophthalmologist, pioneer of cataract surgery.
• José Ignacio Barraquer (1916–1998), leading ophthalmologist, father of modern refractive surgery, he invented the microkeratome and the cryolathe, developed the surgical procedures of keratomileusis and keratophakia.
• Ángel Cabrera (1879–1960), naturalist, investigated the South-American fauna.
• Nicolás Cabrera (1913–1989), physicist, did important work on the theories of crystal growth and the oxidisation of metals.
• Santiago Calatrava (born 1951), architect, sculptor and structural engineer.
• Juan de la Cierva (1895–1936), aeronautical engineer, pioneer of rotary flight, inventor of the autogyro.
• Juan Ignacio Cirac Sasturain (born 1965), one of the pioneers of the field of quantum computing and quantum information theory.
• Josep Comas i Solà (1868–1937), astronomer, discovered the periodic comet 32P/Comas Solá and 11 asteroids, and in 1907 observed limb darkening of Saturn's moon Titan (the first evidence that the body had an atmosphere).
• Pedro Duque (born 1963), astronaut and veteran of two space missions.
• Fausto de Elhúyar (1755–1833), chemist, joint discoverer of tungsten with his brother Juan José de Elhúyar in 1783.
• Carlos Fernández Casado (1905–1988), civil engineer, designer and builder of bridges and viaducts.
• Jaime Ferrán (1852–1929), doctor and researcher, discovered several vaccines.
• Bernardo Hernández (born 1970), entrepreneur, leading figure in technology.
• Francisco Hernández (1514–1587), botanicist, carried out important research about the Mexican flora
• Manuel Jalón Corominas (1925–2011), inventor of the mop (1956) and a worldwide used "two-piece" disposable syringe (1978).
• Carlos Jiménez Díaz (1898–1967), doctor and researcher, leading figure in pathology
• Gregorio Marañón (1887–1960), doctor and researcher, leading figure in endocrinology
• Narcís Monturiol (1818–1885), physicist and inventor, pioneer of underwater navigation and first machine powered submarine.
• José Celestino Bruno Mutis (1732–1808), botanicist, doctor, philosopher and mathematician, carried out relevant research about the American flora, founded one of the first astronomic observatories in America (1762).
• Severo Ochoa (1905–1993), doctor and biochemist, achieved the synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA), Nobel prize Laureate (1959).
• Mateu Orfila (1787–1853), doctor and chemist, father of modern toxicology, leading figure in forensic toxicology.
• Joan Oró (1923–2004), biochemist, carried out important research about the origin of life, he worked with NASA on the Viking missions.
• Julio Palacios Martínez (1891–1970), physicist and mathematician
• Isaac Peral (1851–1895), engineer and sailor, designer of the first fully operative military submarine.
• Santiago Ramón y Cajal (1852–1934), father of Neuroscience, Nobel prize Laureate (1906).
• Julio Rey Pastor (1888–1962), mathematician, leading figure in geometry.
• Wifredo Ricart (1897–1974), engineer, designer and executive manager in the automotive industry.
• Andrés Manuel del Río (1764–1849), geologist and chemist, discovered vanadium (as vanadinite) in 1801.
• Pío del Río Hortega (1882–1945), neuroscientist, discoverer of the microglia or Hortega cell.
• Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente (1928–1980), naturalist, leading figure in ornithology, ethology, ecology and science divulgation
• Enrique Rojas Montes (born 1949)
• Margarita Salas (born 1938), biochemist, molecular genetist and researcher.
• Miguel Servet (1511–1553), scientist, surgeon and humanist; first European to describe pulmonary circulation.
• Esteban Terradas i Illa (1883–1950), mathematician, physicist and engineer.
• Leonardo Torres Quevedo (1852–1936), engineer and mathematician, pioneer of automated calculation machines, inventor of the automatic chess, pioneer of remote control, designer of the funicular over the Niagara Falls.
• Eduardo Torroja (1899–1961), civil engineer, structural architect, world famous specialist in concrete structures.
• Josep Trueta (1897–1977), doctor, his new method for treatment of open wounds and fractures helped save a great number of lives during World War II.
• Antonio de Ulloa (1716–1795), scientist, soldier and author; joint discoverer of element platinum with Jorge Juan y Santacilia (1713–1773).
• Arnold of Villanova (c. 1235–1311), alchemist and physician, he discovered carbon monoxide and pure alcohol.

Social scientists

• Martín de Azpilicueta (1492–1586), economist, member of the School of Salamanca, precursor of the quantitative theory of money.
• Manuel Castells (born 1942), sociologist, author of the well-known trilogy The Information Age.
• Manuel Fernández López (1947-2014)
• Salvador Giner (born 1934), sociologist, he had researched on social theory, sociology of culture and modern industrial society.
• Jesús Huerta de Soto (born 1956), major Austrian School economist.
• Juan José Linz (1926–2013), Sterling Professor of Political and Social Science at Yale; Prince of Asturias Award (1987) and Johan Skytte Prize (1996) Laureate.
• Claudio Sánchez-Albornoz (1893–1984), historian, prominent specialist in medieval Spanish history.
• Joseph de la Vega (1650–1692), businessman, wrote Confusion of Confusions (1688), first book on stock markets.
• Francisco de Vitoria (c. 1480/86–1546), member of the School of Salamanca, precursor of international law theory.

Sports

Athletics

• Fermín Cacho Ruiz (born 1969), 1500 metres Gold (1992 Olympics) and Silver (1996 Olympics) medalist.
• Francisco Javier Gómez Noya (born 1983), triathlon silver (London 2012) medalist. four times ITU Triathlon world champion.

Basketball

• Antonio Díaz-Miguel (1933–2000), coach, enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997.
• Pau Gasol (born 1980), FC Barcelona and Los Angeles Lakers player, 2001-02 NBA Rookie of the Year Award winner; 2006 FIBA W.C. MVP.
• Fernando Martín (1962–1989), Estudiantes, Real Madrid and Portland Trail Blazers player.
• Juan Carlos Navarro (born 1980), FC Barcelona and Memphis Grizzlies player.

Boxing

• Pedro Carrasco (1943–2001), 1967 European Lightweight Champion; 1971 WBC's World Lightweight Champion.
• Javier Castillejo (born 1968), two-time WBC World Jr. Middleweight Champion and one-time WBA Middleweight champion.

Cycling

• Federico Martín Bahamontes (born 1928), 1959 Tour de France winner.
• Juan José Cobo (born 1981), 2011 Vuelta a España winner.
• Alberto Contador (born 1982), three-time Tour de France (2007,2009,2010), 2008 Giro d'Italia, 2008 Vuelta a España winner.
• Pedro Delgado (born 1960), 1988 Tour de France winner.
• Óscar Freire (born 1976), three-time World Cycling Champion (1999, 2001, 2004).
• José Manuel Fuente (1945–1996), twice Vuelta a España winner (1972, 1974), second in Giro d'Italia (1972), thrird in Tour de France (1973).
• Roberto Heras (born 1974), three-time Vuelta a España winner (2000, 2003, 2004).
• Miguel Indurain (born 1964), Gold medalist (1996 Olympics), 1995 World Time-Trial Champion, World Hour recordman (1994), five consecutive times Tour de France winner (1991–1995), twice Giro d'Italia winner (1992, 1993).
• Joan Llaneras (born 1969), Gold medalist (2000 Olympics), Silver medalist (2004 Olympics), seven-times World Points race or Madison Track Cycling Champion (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007).
• Luis Ocaña (1945–1994), 1973 Tour de France winner.
• Abraham Olano (born 1970), 1995 World Cycling Champion and 1998 World Time-Trial Champion.
• Óscar Pereiro (born 1977), 2006 Tour de France winner.
• Samuel Sánchez (born 1978), Beijing 2008 Olympic Road Race Gold Medal
• Carlos Sastre (born 1975), 2008 Tour de France winner.
• Joane Somarriba (born 1972), three-time Grande Boucle winner (2000, 2001, 2003).
• Guillermo Timoner (born 1926), six-time World Motor paced Track Cycling Champion (1955, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1965).

Football (soccer)

Torres celebrating victory with Spain at Euro 2008

• Iker Casillas (born 1981), goalkeeper and Real Madrid CF. Captain of the Spain team that won Euro 2008, FIFA worldcup 2010, Euro 2012.
• Francisco Gento (born 1933), Real Madrid Player. Winner of six UEFA Champions League.
• Raúl González (born 1977), first player to reach 50 goals in UEFA Champions League.
• Xavi Hernández (born 1980), midfielder and FC Barcelona player. UEFA Euro 2008 MVP.
• Andrés Iniesta (born 1984), midfielder and FC Barcelona player. Scored the winning goal at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final. UEFA Euro 2012 MVP.
• Fernando Torres (born 1984), striker and Chelsea player. Scored the winning goal at the Euro 2008 Final. Winner of Golden Boot at Euro 2012.
• David Villa (born 1981), striker and FC Barcelona player. He is Spain's all-time top goalscorer.
• Andoni Zubizarreta (born 1961), Spanish international

Golf

• Seve Ballesteros (1957–2011), winner of 5 major championships.
• Sergio García (born 1980), winner of 6 PGA Tour and 6 European Tour titles.
• Miguel Ángel Jiménez (born 1964), winner of 13 European Tour titles winner.
• José María Olazábal (born 1966), winner of 2 major championships.

Motor sports

• Fernando Alonso (born 1981), 2005 and 2006 Formula One World Champion.
• Jaime Alguersuari (born 1990), youngest Formula One driver in history, 2008 British Formula Three champion
• Álvaro Bautista (born 1984), motorcycle racing raider, 125cc champion of the World in 2006.
• Carlos Checa (born 1972), GP motorcycle racing rider & Superbike World Champion in 2011.
• Marc Coma (born 1976), won the Dakar Rally in 2006.
• Àlex Crivillé (born 1970), 500cc GP motorcycle racing World Champion in 1999.
• Marc Gené (born 1974) Formula One driver.
• Jorge Lorenzo (born 1987), 2006 and 2007 GP motorcycle racing 250cc World Champion.2010 MotoGP World Champion
• Jorge Martínez Aspar (born 1962), GP motorcycle racing rider, four-time World Champion [80 cc (3) and 125 cc (1)].
• Pedro Martínez de la Rosa (born 1971), Formula One driver.
• Ángel Nieto (born 1947), GP motorcycle racing rider, "12+1" times World Champion.
• Daniel Pedrosa (born 1985), youngest GP motorcycle racing World Champion of 125cc and 250cc.
• Carlos Sainz (born 1962), 1990 and 1992 World Rally Champion and 2010 Dakar Rally winner.
• Carlos Sainz, Jr. (born 1994), Formula One driver.

Rugby union

• Oriol Ripol, professional rugby union player for Worcester Warriors. Widely considered the greatest Spaniard to ever play the game.
• Cédric Garcia, professional rugby player for Aviron Bayonnais.

Tennis

• Galo Blanco (born 1976), professional tennis player.
• Sergi Bruguera (born 1971), 1993 and 1994 French Open Men's Singles Champion.
• Àlex Corretja (born 1974), 1998 ATP Tour World Champion.
• Albert Costa (born 1975), 2002 French Open Men's Singles Champion.
• Juan Carlos Ferrero (born 1980), 2003 French Open Men's Singles Champion.
• Andrés Gimeno (born 1937), 1972 French Open Men's Singles Champion.
• Conchita Martínez (born 1972), 1994 Wimbledon Women's Singles Champion.
• Carlos Moyá (born 1976), 1998 French Open Men's Singles Champion.
• Rafael Nadal (born 1986), former World Number 1, 2005 French Open, 2006 French Open, 2007 French Open, 2008 French Open, 2010 French Open,2011 French Open, 2012 French Open 2013 French Open, 2014 French Open, 2008 Wimbledon, 2010 Wimbledon, 2009 Australian Open, 2010 US Open, 2013 US Open Men's Singles Champion & 2008 Olympics gold medallist.
• Manuel Orantes (born 1949), 1975 U.S. Open Men's Singles Champion.
• Virginia Ruano Pascual (born 1973), 8 Grand Slam Doubles titles winner.
• Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (born 1971), 10 Grand Slam titles winner (4 singles, 6 doubles).
• Emilio Sánchez Vicario (born 1965), 3 Grand Slam Doubles titles winner.
• Javier Sánchez Vicario professional tennis player, brother of Aranxta.
• Manuel Santana (born 1938), 5 Grand Slam titles winner (4 singles, 1 doubles).
• Fernando Verdasco Carmona (born 1983), professional tennis player

Wrestling

• Kane (born 1967), WWF Championship, World Heavyweight Championship, ECW Championship, WCW World Tag Team Championship, WWF Hardcore Championship, WWF/E Intercontinental Championship, WWF/E World Tag Team Championship.

Others

• Jose Andrés (born 1969), chef
• Ferran Adrià (born 1962), chef.
• Carlos D. Cidon (born 1959), chef.
• Joaquín Cortés (born 1969), dancer.
• Ana Maiques (born 1973), entrepreneur, business executive
• Juan March Ordinas (1880–1962), politician and businessman.
• Federica Montseny (1905–1994), anarchist, politician and writer.
• Aguas Santas Ocaña Navarro (born 1963), first lady of Honduras.
• Amancio Ortega Gaona (born 1936), entrepreneur.
• Juan Pujol, alias Garbo (1912–1988), double-agent who played a key role in the success of D-Day towards the end of World War II.
• Tamara Rojo (born 1974), prima ballerina of the London's Royal Ballet (since 2000); Prince of Asturias Award of Arts Laureate (2005).
• Diego Salcedo (1575–1644), first Spaniard killed by Puerto Rican Taínos.

See also

• List of people by nationality
• List of Andalusians
• List of Aragonese
• List of Balearics
• List of Basques
• List of Catalans
• List of Spanish Jews

External links

• Famous Spanish people