20 Most Famous People from Madagascar

20 Most Famous People from Madagascar

*Originally published by Lillian on October 2022 and Updated by Vanessa R in September 2023  and Updated by Ian S in March 2024

Madagascar, also known as the Malagasy Republic and formally the Republic of Madagascar, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, about 400 kilometers off the coast of East Africa. The second-largest island nation in the world, Madagascar has an area of 592,800 square kilometers (228,900 square miles).

Madagascar and countless smaller nearby islands make up the country. Around 88 million years ago, Madagascar separated from the Indian subcontinent as a result of the prehistoric disintegration of the supercontinent Gondwana, allowing native plants and animals to evolve in comparatively secluded environments. Since over 90% of its animals cannot be found anywhere else on Earth, Madagascar is a hotspot for biodiversity.

Apart from its wonderful natural scenery, the country has also produced a number of celebrities.

1. Gisèle Rabesahala

One of the leaders of the fight for Madagascar’s independence was Gisèle Rabesahala. She established the newspaper Imongo Vaovao and was a political activist.

She was additionally the first Malagasy woman to be chosen in 1958 as a city councilor in Antananarivo, the nation’s capital. She passed away in 2011, and several memorials honoring her legacy were posted online.

2.Jean-Luc Raharimanana

Raharimanana by Olivier Barlet from Wikimedia Commons

A Malagasy author named Jean-Luc Raharimanana. The Jean-Joseph Rabearivelo Poetry Prize had been awarded to him for his early poems by the time he was 20 years old. His poems gained notoriety for their depictions of the ugliness and squalor of nature in its natural habitat, particularly in shanty communities, as well as its beauty. He contrasts current political events with folklore and antiquated superstitions in his artwork.

3. Erick Manana

Erick Manana by Domoina RATSARA from Wikimedia Commons

A musician and composer named Erick Manana have been compared to “Bob Dylan of Madagascar.” He joined the band Lolo sy ny Tariny in 1982, which marked the start of his professional musical career. Manana, who has won numerous accolades, celebrated his 35th anniversary of performing in 2013 by giving a performance at the famed Olympia theatre in Paris.

4.Jacques Rabemananjara

Malagasy dramatist, poet, and politician named Jacques Rabemananjara. In 1913, Rabemananjara was born in a settlement near the Bay of Antongil on Madagascar’s east coast. In the literary and ideological movement known as “Negritude,” which was created by Francophone black intellectuals who denounced French colonial racism, Rabemananjara was acknowledged as one of the genre’s most prolific authors.

Despite his pleas for the rioters to maintain their composure, he was believed to have had a role in the planning of the unsuccessful 1947 Malagasy Uprising against colonial control. After being detained, he was given a life sentence with hard labor.

5.Albert Rakoto Ratsimamanga

The most well-known scientist from Madagascar by far is Albert Rakoto Ratsimamanga (in French). His considerable research into better comprehending the therapeutic benefits of Madagascar’s distinctive native flora made him famous. About 350 scholarly papers on subjects including the adrenal gland’s function and all-natural diabetes treatments are credited to him.

6. Radama I

Radama I by Philippe-Auguste from Wikimedia Commons

The first monarch of Madagascar to be acknowledged as such by a European state was Radama I “the Great.” After the passing of his father, King Andrianampoinimerina, he ascended to power at the age of 17. The first Europeans reached Radama’s central the highland Kingdom of Imerina, with Antananarivo as its capital, while Radama was in charge and at his invitation.

In addition to establishing schools to teach trades and reading to aristocrats and prospective recruits for the military and civil service, Radama pushed these LMS envoys to introduce Christianity and to teach literacy using the translated Bible. Under his administration, numerous political and social changes were implemented, like as the elimination of the international slave trade, which had historically been a major source of revenue. 

He successfully unified two-thirds of the island under his control through ruthless military conquests. He was 32 years old when he passed away suddenly due to alcohol abuse. His most powerful spouse, Ranavalona I, succeeded him.

7. Omer Beriziky

In President Andry Rajoelina’s government of consensus, Jean Omer Beriziky, a politician and diplomat from Madagascar, has served as prime minister since 2011. Beriziky, a native of the island’s north, held a position as a history professor. From 1995 to 2006, he served as Madagascar’s ambassador to the European Union and Belgium while stationed in Brussels.

On October 28, 2011, on the recommendation of the party of former president Albert Zafy, Beriziky, a member of the LEADER Fanilo political party, was nominated as prime minister. He began serving on November 2, 2011.

8. Kame Ali

Malagasy decathlon competitor Ali Kamé is a track and field athlete. A bronze medalist at the 2011 All-Africa Games, he earned the gold medal in athletics at the 2012 African Championships. The Malagasy record for a single event is 7685 points, and he has won the African Combined Events Championships three times.

9. Ranavalona II

Ranavalona by Philippe-Auguste from Wikimedia Commons

Following Queen Rasoherina as ruler of Madagascar, Ranavalona II reigned from 1868 to 1883. She is widely known for converting the royal court to Christianity during her reign.

10.Gabriel Ramanantsoa

Gabriel Ramanantsoa by Bundesarchiv from Wikimedia Commons

From 1972 to 1975, Gabriel Ramanantsoa served as both the President and Prime Minister of Madagascar. Ramanantsoa was a prosperous family patriarch who belonged to the Merina ethnic group.

He served in the French army as a career officer. He joined the Madagascar military after the island nation gained its independence, eventually rising to the position of Major General.

He was appointed prime minister of the nation in May 1972, amid significant political unrest, and a few months later, when President Philibert Tsiranana abdicated, Ramanantsoa became president, taking office on October 11, 1972. He made an effort to spark political harmony. In December 1974, his government came dangerously close to falling. He resigned on February 5, 1975, amid racial and social class conflicts.

In a country that is not often talked about, it is impressive that they have a number of people who have created such a rich and memorable history for the country.  

11. Albert Rakoto Ratsimamanga, the Scientific Pioneer 

See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The most well-known scientist from Madagascar is without a doubt Albert Rakoto Ratsimamanga. He became well-known for his considerable research into the medicinal benefits of Madagascar’s unusual native flora. About 350 scholarly papers on subjects ranging from the adrenal gland’s function to homoeopathic treatments for diabetes are credited to him.

12. Jacques Rabemananjara, the Political Prisoner  

By far, the most well-known scientist from Madagascar is Albert Rakoto Ratsimamanga. He made headlines for his exhaustive research into the therapeutic benefits of Madagascar’s distinctive native flora. On subjects ranging from the adrenal gland’s function to all-natural treatments for diabetes, he is credited with roughly 350 scientific articles.

13. Didier Ratsiraka

Benoît Bourgeois / European Commission, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons

Didier Ignace Ratsiraka, a Malagasy politician and naval commander who served as Madagascar’s third president from 1975 to 1993 and its fifth from 1997 to 2002, was born on November 4, 1936, and died on March 28, 2021. He had been President of Madagascar for the longest time at the time of his death.

He was initially elected president in 1982 and 1989 after being originally appointed by the military administration in 1975. Ratsiraka won the 1997 election, although he was defeated by Albert Zafy in the 1992 election. After the 2001 election, Ratsiraka and Marc Ravalomanana got into a protracted standoff because the latter refused to take part in a runoff. Ratsiraka eventually resigned.

14. Rado

Nivofah, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Rado, also known as Georges Andriamanantena was a well-known Madagascar poet who passed away. Yet, his work has stood the test of time in Malagasy culture, particularly the Malagasy blogosphere.

Rado is a direct descendant of the villagers of Amboanana in the Itasy Area, noted for producing the most fierce freedom warriors against French occupation. A Malagasy blogger named Tebokaefatra from Antananarivo wrote about how Rado’s background clarified his unshakeable patriotism.

15. Raymond Ranjeva

Jeroen Bouman, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Raymond Ranjeva served as a judge on the International Court of Justice from 1991 to 2009, having been re-elected in 2000.

He held several academic qualifications, including a Bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Madagascar, Antananarivo (1965), a diploma from the Madagascar National School of Administration (1966), and a Doctorate of Law from Panthéon-Assas University in Paris. Before his election to the ICJ, Ranjeva was a Professor of Law at the University of Madagascar from 1981 to 1991, the institution where he had earned his undergraduate degree.

He also lectured at The Hague Academy of International Law in 1987 and 1997. Ranjeva served as the Vice President of the International Court of Justice from 2003 to 2006, contributing his expertise to the prominent judicial body over an 18-year tenure.

16. Falihery Ramakavelo

Having a profound understanding of finance and banking, Falihery Ramakavelo stands as one of Madagascar’s most affluent individuals.

As the visionary founder and Chief Executive Officer of ARO, a trailblazing financial services enterprise specializing in microfinance, he has etched an indelible mark on the nation’s economic landscape.

Ramakavelo’s profound expertise in the intricate realm of finance has been the driving force behind his remarkable rise to prosperity, guiding ARO to unprecedented heights of success and solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the country’s financial sector.

17. Hery Rajaonarimampianina

Chatham House, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hery Martial Rajaonarimampianina Rakotoarimanana, a Malagasy politician, held the position of the 7th President of Madagascar from 2014 until 2018 when he resigned to run for re-election.

Before becoming president, he served as the Minister of Finance under President Andry Rajoelina’s administration. Rajaonarimampianina was the candidate nominated by Rajoelina’s political movement for the 2013 presidential election.

He emerged victorious in the second round, defeating Jean-Louis Robinson who was the candidate from Marc Ravalomanana’s party. Once elected as president, Rajaonarimampianina held the world record for having the longest full name (44 characters) and surname (19 characters) for a head of state.

18. Rakoto Frah

Philibert Rabezoza, better known as Rakoto Frah, was a renowned flautist and composer of traditional music from the central highlands of Madagascar. Born into poverty in 1923 near Antananarivo, he overcame adversity to become the most acclaimed 20th-century performer of the sodina flute, an ancient instrument.

Through international concerts and festivals, he promoted Malagasy highland music, gaining fame within Madagascar and on the world stage. Selected by the president to perform for Charles de Gaulle in 1958, Rakoto Frah launched his professional career, recording over 800 original compositions.

Despite worldwide acclaim, he lived humbly, earning little from his musicianship until his widely mourned death in 2001, marked by a state funeral and famadihana ceremony celebrating his life.

19. Joël Andrianomearisoa

Joël Andrianomearisoa is a Malagasy artist who divides his time between Paris and his birthplace, Antananarivo. An architecture graduate, he creates monumental works using diverse materials like silk paper, textiles, wood, and unexpected objects.

Renowned pieces include “I have forgotten the Night” at the 2019 Venice Biennale and “The Five Continents of All Our Desires” at Cape Town’s Zeitz MOCAA in 2022. As a pioneering contemporary African artist, Andrianomearisoa actively promotes Madagascar’s cultural development through initiatives like the Manja fashion festival, Sanga dance festival, and curating the Madagascar Pavilion at Venice Biennale.

Since 2020, he has served as the artistic director of Hakanto Contemporary, a free 300m² art center in Antananarivo dedicated to showcasing Malagasy artists and facilitating cross-cultural dialogue.

20. Andry Rajoelina

India in Madagascar and Comoros, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Andry Nirina Rajoelina is a Malagasy politician and businessman who has served as Madagascar’s president since 2023, having previously held the role from 2019 to 2023. He led a transitional government from 2009 to 2014 following a military-backed coup after serving briefly as Mayor of Antananarivo.

Originally an entrepreneur in media and advertising, Rajoelina formed a political party and was elected mayor in 2007. His opposition to then-President Ravalomanana led to the 2009 crisis where he was appointed transitional president. His interim rule was controversial due to unconstitutional power transfers.

After losing the 2013 election, he won the 2018 vote. His recent presidency was marred by a court case over his 2014 acquisition of French nationality which could have disqualified him under Malagasy law before he was cleared to run and win re-election in 2023.