20 Most Famous People from Venezuela

20 Most Famous People from Venezuela

*Originally published  by Vanessa R in September 2022 and  Updated by  Diana K in February 2024 

Venezuelans have some of the most well-known on-screen characters on American Spanish-language television. Rodner Figueroa, Daniel Sarcos, and Chiquinquirá Delgado all have a great sense of pride in their own countries. In addition to establishing their reputations in the entertainment industry, they have also raised international awareness of their nation.

Here are some of the most famous people from Venezuela.

1. Franco De Vita

Franco De Vita by Christian Córdova from Wikimedia Commons

Franco De Vita, a singer, and songwriter from Venezuela started his career in 1981 when the band Icaro was formed. Soon after, De Vita went solo and issued his debut album under his own name, which had three popular songs. In 1986, he released another album called Fantasa as a follow-up. The album’s song “Sólo Importas T” was adopted as the anthem for the La Dama De Rosa soap drama.

The singer was extremely well-known at this time in his life, primarily in his native country. This changed in 1990 when his song “No Basta,” which also won him an MTV Video Music Award, reached the top spot on the US Latin chart.

De Vita started his career by releasing 16 albums, and his songs frequently reached the top of the Billboard charts. Billboard recognized his achievements by inducting him into the Latin Hall of Fame in 2014.

2. Simon Diaz

Simón Díaz by Wladimir Labeikovsky from Wikimedia Commons

Simon Diaz, a musician who specialized in reviving Venezuelan folk music and wrote the enduring “Caballo viejo,” one of the country’s most significant folk songs, was born in Aragua, Venezuela, in 1928.

Diaz has had a long career acting in plays, TV shows, and movies. He spent ten years teaching kids about music through a program called Contesta por To Simón, where he earned the nickname Uncle Simon. He also ran a radio program that featured music and folklore from Venezuela.

Over the course of his 60-year career, Diaz put out more than 70 albums. He was awarded two honorary degrees and the Great Ribbon of the Liberator’s Order for his services to Venezuelan culture. He was given a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.

3. Hugo Chavez

Hugo Chavez by Marcello Casal Jr./Abr from Wikimedia Commons

Hugo Chavez, the country’s former president, is one of the most significant Venezuelans in world history. Hugo oversaw a number of revolutionary reforms in Venezuela under his presidency, including the democratic councils and the 1999 implementation of the country’s constitution. Additionally, he put measures in place that nationalized Venezuela’s private enterprises.

4. Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera is a well-known fashion designer who was born in Venezuela on January 8, 1999. Carolina’s clothing was beloved by First Ladies like Michelle Obama and Jackie Onassis because her designs have always stood out from the crowd for their grace and elegance.

5. Rafael Caldera

Retrato de Rafael by Familia Caldera Pietri from Wikimedia Commons

Venezuela has been endowed with men who are politically astute, prominent, and powerful. These men are responsible for making international headlines about Venezuela. Rafael Caldera, a prominent Venezuelan and the COPE’s founder, was the country’s two-term president from 1969 and 1974 and from 1994 to 1999.

6.Humberto Fernandez Moran

alberto by Rodolfo Alberto Auvert from Wikimedia Commons

With the development and innovation of medical devices necessary for various surgical diseases, the success rates of surgical treatments have increased dramatically throughout history. Scalpel is one of these tools, developed by Venezuelan scientist Humeberto Fernandez Moran. This well-known researcher was born in Maracaibo.

7.Luisa Caceres de Arismendi

Luisa Cáceres by Emilio Jacinto Mauri from Wikimedia Commons

Every country has had some famous people who contributed to the country’s ability to defeat colonial domination and experience freedom. Luisa Caceres de Arismendi, the wife of General Juan Bautista Arismendi, is remembered as Venezuela’s brave and devoted heroine who contributed to the war for the country’s independence.

8. Jesús Rafael Soto

Soto began his artistic career as a young lad by painting movie posters. He was born on June 5, 1923, in Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela. As a sculptor and painter, he specialized in op and kinetic art.

His most famous pieces were interactive sculptures that were permeable and consisted of thin, hanging tubes that viewers could walk through. He served as the director of Maracaibo’s Escuela de Artes Plasticas from 1947 until 1950. Between 1970 and 1990, notable art museums throughout the world, including the Guggenheim Museum in New York City and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, hosted exhibitions of Soto’s works for 20 years.

9. Oscar D’León

A highly well-known salsa singer from Venezuela is Oscar Emilio León Somoza, also known as Oscar D’León or El Sonero del Mundo. On July 11th, 1943, he was born in Caracas. In addition to playing bass guitar with the neighborhood band or conjuntos after work, he worked as an auto technician during the day. Both the orchestra “La Golden Star” and the band “Los Psidodélicos” were founded by D’León.

He frequently sang and danced on stage while playing double bass. Together with musicians Cesar Monge, Jose Rodriguez, and Jose Antonio Rojas, he later founded “La Dimension Latina.” In the years following his departure from “La Dimension Latina,” he founded “La Salsa Mayor” and released various salsa tracks, such as “Deja Que Te Quiera,” “Préstame Tu Piel,” and “Esperando Por Ella.” He also released “Juanita Morell,” a song that rose to prominence in the merengue genre. The distinction of being the first Latin artist hired by the British Broadcasting Corporation belongs to Oscar D’León.

10.Carlos Raul Villanueva

Carlos Raúl Villanueva by Paolo Gasparini from Wikimedia Commons

Carlos Raul Villanueva, a Venezuelan architect, is responsible for much of the renovation and architectural growth in numerous Venezuelan cities, including Maracay and Caracas. He is not only the greatest architect of the 20th century in Venezuela, but he is also the person responsible for the main campus of Universidad Central de Venezuela, the country’s first university.

11. Simon Bolivar

José Toro Moreno, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Simon Bolivar was a Venezuelan military and political leader who played a pivotal role in Latin America’s revolutions against the Spanish Empire in the early 19th century. Known as “El Libertador” (The Liberator), Bolivar helped establish Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Panama as sovereign states independent from Spanish rule. After witnessing oppression and unrest under colonial rule, Bolivar became a strong advocate for freedom and independence.

He led military campaigns and political movements that ultimately defeated the Spanish across South America. Even after independence was achieved, Bolivar continued fighting to unite the new nations and establish stable governments. Though he passed away before realising his dream of a fully united South America, Bolivar’s courageous leadership was instrumental in freeing the continent from colonialism. Today he remains one of the most influential and revered historical figures in Latin America.

12. Juan Guaido

The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Juan Guaido is a Venezuelan politician who declared himself interim president of Venezuela in January 2019 amid disputes over Nicolas Maduro’s re-election. As leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, Guaido argued that Maduro’s 2018 election was rigged, making the presidency vacant. Major protests erupted, with Guaido gaining support from dozens of countries including the United States. However, Maduro refused to cede power, leading to a protracted political crisis.

Despite an unsuccessful coup attempt in 2019, Guaido continues leading the opposition movement against Maduro’s authoritarian regime. Guaido’s defiant stance has galvanized Venezuelans seeking democratic reforms and economic recovery. Though his claim to the presidency remains uncertain, Juan Guaido represents hope for a new chapter in Venezuela’s embattled democracy.

13. Gaby Espino

RomanElRo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gaby Espino is a Venezuelan actress, model, and television presenter who has achieved widespread fame across Latin America. After winning the Miss Venezuela pageant in 1996, Espino pursued a career in entertainment. She has starred in numerous popular telenovelas, or Spanish-language soap operas, portraying glamorous protagonists in romantic dramas. Espino has also hosted reality competitions like Project Runway Latin America.

With her talent, beauty, and poise, she is considered one of the most influential Latin celebrities in the world. Espino has over 10 million followers on Instagram and is involved in charitable work for children’s causes. Though she started as a beauty queen, Gaby Espino transformed into one of the most recognized and beloved actresses in the Hispanic entertainment industry.

14. Edgar Ramirez

Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Edgar Ramirez is a Venezuelan actor who has built an impressive career in television and film. After early roles in telenovelas and Venezuelan movies, he broke out with a portrayal of terrorist Carlos the Jackal in the 2010 miniseries Carlos.

Ramírez went on to gain notoriety in Hollywood with roles in Zero Dark Thirty, The Girl on the Train, and Joy. His acclaimed performance as fashion designer Gianni Versace in the series American Crime Story earned him Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.

Born in Venezuela, Ramirez is a globally renowned actor equally adept at playing heroes and villains. His versatility and intensity have made him one of the most sought-after talents in the industry today. With his rise to stardom, Édgar Ramírez has become Venezuela’s most internationally successful actor.

15. Gustavo Dudamel

Anyul Rivas from Los Teques, Venezuela, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gustavo Dudamel is a Venezuelan conductor and violinist renowned for his dynamic presence on the podium. As a young musician in Venezuela’s El Sistema music program, he developed his incredible talent under the mentorship of José Antonio Abreu. His electrifying energy and passion led to rapid success in the classical music world. In 2009, Dudamel became the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at just 28 years old, the youngest ever appointed.

He has introduced classical masterworks to new audiences and given invigorated interpretations of traditional repertoire. Dudamel’s recordings have topped charts, and his concerts sell out venues worldwide. Through televised performances and social media, he makes classical music accessible to all. This charismatic, curly-haired conductor is using his superstardom to share the universal beauty of music.

16. Luis Aparicio

Luis Aparicio was a professional baseball shortstop and base-stealer who became the first Venezuelan player inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Making his Major League debut in 1956, he played for 18 seasons primarily with the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles.

Nicknamed “Little Louie”, he was known for his quickness and defensive skills at shortstop. Aparicio led the American League in stolen bases from 1956–1964 and won nine Gold Glove awards. His career totals of 2,677* hits and 506* stolen bases ensured his legacy as one of the greatest shortstops in baseball history.

When the player was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1984, he became the first Venezuelan to receive that honor, paving the way for many more from his homeland. His trailblazing career demonstrated that Venezuelan players could excel and become legends in America’s pastime.

17. Patricia Velasquez

Daniel Benavides from Austin, TX, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Patricia Velasquez is a Venezuelan actress and supermodel who achieved international fame working in fashion and on the silver screen. Discovered as a teenager, Velasquez quickly rose to prominence modeling for top designers and appearing in Vogue, Sports Illustrated, and Victoria’s Secret. She then successfully transitioned to acting with roles in The Mummy, The L Word, and more.

Velasquez made even bigger headlines in 2015 by coming out publicly in her memoir Straight Walk, becoming one of the world’s first openly lesbian Latina celebrities. She is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ and indigenous rights. With her exotic beauty, barrier-breaking career, and social activism, Patricia Velasquez remains one of Venezuela’s most influential cultural icons. She continues leveraging her celebrity to champion human rights worldwide.

18.  Cilia Flores

Asamblea Nacional del Ecuador, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A Venezuelan lawyer and politician who rose to prominence as the wife of President Nicolas Maduro. She served as attorney general of Venezuela from 2006 to 2011. As Hugo Chávez‘s health declined, Flores emerged as a powerful leader in the United Socialist Party, providing key support to Maduro. When Maduro became president after Chávez’s death, Flores continued exerting influence as Venezuela’s First Lady.

She helped lead Maduro’s controversial 2017 effort to dissolve the opposition-led National Assembly and form a new constitutional assembly. Though less visible recently, Flores remains one of Maduro’s closest confidants. Her unwavering loyalty and defense of Chavismo has made Cilia Flores one of the most powerful women in Venezuelan political history.

19. Miguel Cabrera

Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Miguel Cabrera is a Venezuelan professional baseball player recognised as one of the greatest hitters of his generation. Nicknamed “Miggy”, he has spent most of his MLB career with the Detroit Tigers. Cabrera hit for the Triple Crown in 2012, leading the majors in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in—a feat not accomplished since 1967. He went on to win two consecutive AL MVP awards. In 2015, Cabrera notched his 400th career home run at just 32 years old.

With 11 All-Star selections, 4 batting titles, and a World Series ring, Cabrera’s resume ranks him among the all-time Venezuelan and Latino greats. Approaching 500 home runs and 3,000 hits, this fearsome slugger appears destined for a plaque in Cooperstown. Miguel Cabrera continues building a strong case as the greatest right-handed hitter of the 21st century.

20. Oscar D’Leon

Tony Dandrades, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Oscar D’Leon is a legendary Venezuelan salsa musician known globally as El Sonero del Mundo or The Singer of the World. With his charismatic stage presence and smooth baritone voice, D’Leon ignited crowds across Latin America starting in the 1970s. Hits like Llorarás and Voy Gritando por la Calle earned him the nickname “El Diablo de la Salsa” (“The Salsa Devil”). D’Leon’s fiery vocals and brassy, percussive salsa sound earned him legions of devoted fans.

He has won multiple Latin Grammy Awards and his iconic live album Celebrando placed him firmly among salsa royalty. Now in his 70s, D’Leon still tours tirelessly, spreading salsa music far beyond his native Venezuela. Through over 40 albums and decades of dazzling concerts, the King of Salsa has cemented his legacy as one of Latin music’s most beloved artists.

Venezuela has produced many influential figures who have made outstanding contributions in diverse fields. From historic liberators like Simon Bolivar to superstar athletes such as Miguel Cabrera, Venezuelans have left a permanent mark around the world. Musical legends like Oscar D’Leon have spread Latin culture globally. Some Venezuelan actors now regularly star in Hollywood productions. The stories of these individuals showcase Venezuela’s rich culture and the talent of its people.  These are some of the most famous people from Venezuela. Do you know any more that we have not mentioned, feel free to let us know who else we can add.