Famous Belarusian People

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 1 
Marc Chagall
(Jewish-French Artist Who was a Pioneer of Modernism)
Marc Chagall
9
Birthdate: July 6, 1887
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Lizona
Died: March 28, 1985

Russian-French artist Marc Chagall, a key figure of modernism, had explored a wide range of media as an artist, from paintings and drawings to stained glass and ceramics. His major projects included the ceiling of the Paris Opéra, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Jerusalem Windows of Israel.

 2 
Olga Korbut
(Soviet Former Gymnast and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Olga Korbut
8
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 16, 1955
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Grodno

Olga Korbut is a former gymnast who represented the Soviet Union in two Olympic Games, winning four gold medals and two silver medals. Nicknamed the Sparrow from Minsk, Korbut also participated in the 18th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships where she won two gold medals and four silver medals. In 1988, she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. 

 3 
Svetlana Alexievich
(Journalist, Essayist & Oral Historian - The Winner of 2015 Nobel Prize in Literature)
Svetlana Alexievich
3
Birthdate: May 31, 1948
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Ivano-Frankivsk

Nobel Prize-winning Belarusian journalist and oral historian Svetlana Alexievich is known for her signature documentary-style novels, which mingle fiction and reporting. Her five-part Voices of Utopia mirrored the lives of people in the Soviet Union. With her writing, she often criticizes the governments of Belarus and the Soviet Union.

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 4 
Gary Vaynerchuk
(Entrepreneur)
Gary Vaynerchuk
14
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: November 14, 1975
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Babruysk
Gary Vaynerchuk is a Belarusian-American internet entrepreneur who co-founded the restaurant-reservation app Resy and the winery Empathy Wines, apart from launching the YouTube webcast Wine Library TV. He has chaired VaynerX, been the CEO of the social-media consulting firm VaynerMedia, and authored several books, including a business bestseller. 
 5 
Svetlana Boginskaya
(Former Artistic Gymnast for the Soviet Union and Belarus)
Svetlana Boginskaya
8
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 9, 1973
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Minsk

Known as the Belarusian Swan, Svetlana Boginskaya started off as a figure skater before moving on to gymnastics at age 6. By 14, she was part of the Soviet national gymnastics team. The three-time Olympic champion is now settled in Texas and owns businesses that provide gymnastics camps and apparel.

 6 
Dasha Nekrasova
(Actress)
Dasha Nekrasova
9
Birthdate: February 19, 1991
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Minsk
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 7 
Louis B. Mayer
(Canadian-American Film Producer Who Co-Founded Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
Louis B. Mayer
23
Birthdate: July 12, 1884
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Dymer
Died: October 29, 1957
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 8 
Vitaly Scherbo
(Belarusian Former Artistic Gymnast and 4-Time Olympic Bronze Medalist)
Vitaly Scherbo
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 13, 1972
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Minsk

Retired Belarusian artistic gymnast Vitaly Scherbo became the only male gymnast to win a world title in all 8 events. He has also won 6 gold medals in the Olympics and was the first person to win 4 gold medals in one day. The Scherbo vault has been named after him.

 9 
Andrei Arlovski
(Belarusian-American Professional MMA and Former UFC Heavyweight Champion)
Andrei Arlovski
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 4, 1979
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Babruysk

Andrei Arlovski, also known as “The Pitbull,” is a Belarusian MMA fighter who is known for his UFC Heavyweight Championship win. He has also appeared in films such as Universal Soldier: Regeneration and been part of shows such as MTV's Bully Beatdown. He has competed for Strikeforce and Affliction, too.

 10 
Natasha Zvereva
(Former Belarusian Tennis Player and Olympic Bronze Medalist)
Natasha Zvereva
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 16, 1971
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Minsk

Belarusian former tennis-player Natallia Zvierava, counted among the best doubles-players of all-time, won 18 Grand Slam doubles-titles, including six at French Open; five at Wimbledon, four at US Open and three at Australian Open. She attained World No.1 doubles ranking in October 1991. Zvierava also won two mixed-doubles title at Australian Open and bronze in doubles at the 1992 Olympics.

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 11 
Galina Lukashenko
(First Lady)
Galina Lukashenko
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 1, 1955
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Byelorussian SSR
 12 
Ilya Ivashka
(Belarusian Tennis Player Who Is Currently the Number One Singles Player in His Country)
Ilya Ivashka
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 24, 1994
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Minsk

Belarusian tennis player Ilya Ivashka has had a career-high singles ranking of 40 and is currently the number 1 singles player in his country. He was part of the group of Belarusian and Russian players who were banned by Wimbledon in 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

 13 
Maria Kalesnikava
(Activist)
Maria Kalesnikava
1
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: April 24, 1982
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Minsk
 14 
Aliaksandra Sasnovich
(Belarusian Professional Tennis Player)
Aliaksandra Sasnovich
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 22, 1994
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Minsk

The daughter of a basketball player mother and a hockey and tennis player father, Aliaksandra Sasnovich began playing tennis at age 9. She reached the 2019 US Open semi-finals and has had a career-best singles ranking of 30. She was banned from Wimbledon in 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

 15 
Boris Gelfand
(Israeli Chess Player)
Boris Gelfand
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 24, 1968
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Minsk

Legendary Soviet chess player Boris Gelfand is known for being part of the world’s top 20 players for most of his life. His accomplishments include two Belarusian national titles and a Chess World Cup. An author, too, he has co-written books such as Positional Decision Making in Chess.

 16 
Léon Bakst
(Painter)
Léon Bakst
1
Birthdate: January 27, 1866
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Grodno
Died: December 28, 1924

Léon Bakst was a Russian painter, costume designer, and scene designer of Belarusian origin. He worked closely with the Ballets Russes, where he designed richly colored, exotic costumes and sets. His best-known works include productions like Daphnis and Chloe, Spectre de la rose, and The Sleeping Princess. In 1914, he was made a member of the Russian Academy of Arts.  

 17 
Andrei Aramnau
(Belarusian Weightlifter Who is a Olympic and World Champion)
Andrei Aramnau
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 17, 1988
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Barysaw

Belarusian weightlifter Andrei Aramnau is not just an Olympic champion but also has a World Championship gold in his kitty. Born with 6 fingers on one hand, which he believed was due to the Chernobyl disaster, he had to cut his 6th finger at age 14 to compete professionally.

 18 
Darya Domracheva
(Former Belarusian Biathlete, Coach and 4-Time Olympic Champion)
Darya Domracheva
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 3, 1986
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Minsk

At the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Belarusian biathlete Darya Domracheva scripted history as the first female biathlete to win 3 titles at the same Olympic, winning 3 gold medals. She has won 3 more Olympic medals and 6 World Championship medals. While she initially represented Russia, she later switched to Belarus.

 19 
Zinaida Kupriyanovich
(Singer)
Zinaida Kupriyanovich
4
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: September 17, 2002
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Minsk
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
 20 
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
(Belarusian Educator and Politician)
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
8
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: September 11, 1982
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Mikashevichy

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is a Belarusian educator and politician. Best known as the leader of the democratic movement in Belarus, Tsikhanouskaya ran in the presidential elections in 2020. Since August 2020, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has been living in exile in Poland. She has been twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for leading non-violent challenges against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

 21 
Phil Chess
(Record producer)
Phil Chess
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: March 27, 1921
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Motol
Died: October 18, 2016
 22 
Andrei Gromyko
(Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet from 1985 to 1988)
Andrei Gromyko
2
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: July 18, 1909
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Starye Gromyki
Died: July 2, 1989

Son of a Belarusian farmer, Andrei Gromyko grew up studying agriculture. He had already started delivering anti-religious speeches by 13 and later joined the Communist Party. He later served as the Soviet foreign minister and then the head of state, becoming popular as Mr. Nyet for vetoing UN proposals often.

 23 
Masha Bruskina
(Nurse)
Masha Bruskina
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 1924 AD
Birthplace: Minsk
Died: October 26, 1941
 24 
Krystsina Tsimanouskaya
(Belarusian Sprinter Who Took Refuge in Poland after Criticizing Her Team in 2020 Summer Olympics)
Krystsina Tsimanouskaya
6
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 19, 1996
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Klimavichy

Belarusian sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya has won several titles and medals, including 2 European Games silver medals and a Summer Universiade gold medal. During the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, she accused her team officials of forcing her to participate in an event and later took refuge in Poland to avoid action against her.

 25 
Veronika Tsepkalo
(Activist)
Veronika Tsepkalo
0
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: September 7, 0000
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Mahilioŭ
 26 
Maryna Linchuk
(Belarusian Model)
Maryna Linchuk
0
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: September 4, 1987
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Minsk

Maryna Linchuk is a Belarusian model who came into prominence after appearing in advertisements for popular brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Dior, and Escada. Renowned for her association with Vogue, Linchuk was named in Vogue Paris' top 30 models of the 2000s list. She has also walked the ramp for designers like Gucci, Prada, Michael Kors, and Louis Vuitton.

 27 
Chaim Soutine
(Belarusian Painter Who Made a Major Contribution to the Expressionist Movement)
Chaim Soutine
0
Birthdate: January 13, 1893
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Smilavichy
Died: August 9, 1943

Chaim Soutine was a Belarussian painter who lived and worked in Paris. Best remembered for his contribution to the expressionist movement, Soutine served as a bridge between the growing form of Abstract expressionism and more traditional approaches. Today, many of his paintings are preserved at places like The Jewish Museum in New York. 

 28 
Vitaly Shishov
(Activist)
Vitaly Shishov
0
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: 1995 AD
Birthplace: Rechytsa
Died: August 3, 2021
 29 
Tatiana Navka
(Ice dancer)
Tatiana Navka
0
Listed In: Dancers
Birthdate: April 13, 1975
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Dnipro

Popular Russian figure skater Tatiana Navka has not just won the national and European championships thrice but is also a two-time world champion and an Olympic gold medalist. She is also a regular participant on various TV and ice shows and has her own show named the Navka Show.

 30 
Paul Baran
(Engineer)
Paul Baran
0
Listed In: Engineers
Birthdate: April 29, 1926
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Grodno
Died: March 26, 2011
 31 
Artsiom Parakhouski
(Belarusian Professional Basketball Player Who Plays at the Center Position)
Artsiom Parakhouski
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 6, 1987
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Minsk

Belarusian professional basketball-player Artsiom Parakhouski became Big South Player of the Year twice and NCAA rebounding leader once during his college-career. He commenced his professional career in 2010 and achieved several feats playing for different teams. These include winning King Mindaugas Cup Finals (2019) with Rytas Vilnius and becoming King Mindaugas Cup MVP; and winning ABA League Supercup (2019) with Partizan.  

 32 
Maalik Wayns
(Former American-Belarusian Basketball Player and Coach)
Maalik Wayns
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 2, 1991
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Philadelphia

American-Belarusian former basketball player Maalik Wayns played for Roman Catholic High School of Philadelphia during his high-school days. He selected Villanova University to play under coach Jay Wright during college-years. As a professional, Wayns played with several teams, including Philadelphia 76ers and presently serves as coach at St. Joseph's Preparatory School.

 33 
Olga Govortsova
(Belarusian Tennis Player)
Olga Govortsova
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 23, 1988
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Minsk

Belarusian tennis player Olga Govortsova has had a career-high ranking of 35 in singles and 24 in doubles. She has played for the Springfield Lasers and the Sacramento Capitals in the mixed-gender tennis league World TeamTennis. She has also competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

 34 
Alexey Ignashov
(Belarusian Kickboxer and 4-Time Muay Thai World Champion)
Alexey Ignashov
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 18, 1978
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Minsk

Nicknamed The Red Scorpion, Belarusian heavyweight kickboxer and retired mixed martial artist Alexey Ignashov has won the Muay Thai World Championship 4 times. He trained at the Chinuk Gym for over a decade and is now based in Auckland, New Zealand. He is known for his signature knee strikes.

 35 
Melitina Staniouta
(Belarusian Retired Individual Rhythmic Gymnast)
Melitina Staniouta
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 15, 1993
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Minsk

Melitina Staniouta is a Belarusian former individual rhythmic gymnast. She represented Belarus in World Championships and European Championships where she won many silver and bronze medals. Melitina Staniouta is perhaps best known for winning two gold medals at the 2013 World Games in Cali, Colombia.

 36 
Katsiaryna Halkina
(Retired Belarusian Rhythmic Gymnast Who Has Won Several World and European Championship Medals)
Katsiaryna Halkina
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 25, 1997
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Minsk

Retired Belarusian rhythmic gymnast Katsiaryna Halkina has won numerous medals, including 4 silver medals at both the World and European Championships. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she had scored 6th in the individual all-around final. Post-retirement, she moved to Moscow, where she joined a master’s degree.

 37 
Emad Khashoggi
(Businessperson)
Emad Khashoggi
0
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: March 25, 1968
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Beirut
 38 
Chingiz Allazov
(Belarusian Kickboxer and Former K-1 Super Welterweight Champion Presently Signed With ‘ONE Championship’)
Chingiz Allazov
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 10, 1993
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Gardabani

Belarusian kick-boxer Chingiz Allazov has so-far achieved a kickboxing record of 59 wins out of 65, of which 36 wins were secured through knockout. He became the 2017 K-1 World GP -70kg World Tournament Champion and successfully defended the title in 2018. Presently signed with ONE Championship, Allazov is ranked as the #3 lightweight in the world by Combat Press.

 39 
Katya Zharkova
(Model)
Katya Zharkova
0
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: October 30, 1981
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Minsk
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 40 
Evgeny Morozov
(American Writer, Intellectual, and Researcher of Belarusian Origin)
Evgeny Morozov
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: 1984 AD
Birthplace: Salihorsk

Evgeny Morozov is an American writer, intellectual, and researcher from Belarus. He is best known for conducting studies and research into the social and political implications of technology. His writings have appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times and The Guardian. In 2018, Evgeny Morozov was included in the most influential Europeans list published by Politico.

 41 
Natalia Podolskaya
(Singer)
Natalia Podolskaya
0
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: May 20, 1982
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Mogilev
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 42 
Gytha of Wessex
(Princess)
Gytha of Wessex
0
Birthdate: 1053 AD
Birthplace: Unknow
Died: 1098 AD
 43 
Leonid Taranenko
(Former Soviet/Belarusian Weightlifter, Coach and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Leonid Taranenko
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 13, 1956
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Malaryta

Leonid Taranenko is a former weightlifter and coach. He is best known for winning the gold medal in the 110 kg category at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow where he represented the Soviet Union. He also won gold medals at the World Weightlifting Championships, European Weightlifting Championships, and USSR Weightlifting Championships.

 44 
Alex Bentley
(Professional Basketball Player Who Plays as a Point Guard or Shooting Guard)
Alex Bentley
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 27, 1990
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Indianapolis

Alex Bentley is a basketball player who has played for popular WNBA teams like Atlanta Dream and Connecticut Sun. Although she was born in the USA, Alex Bentley represents the Belarus women's national basketball team at the international level. In 2013, she was honored with the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award.

 45 
Max Korzh
(Singer-songwriter)
Max Korzh
0
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: November 23, 1988
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Luninets
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 46 
Josef Gingold
(Violinist)
Josef Gingold
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: October 28, 1909
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Brest
Died: January 11, 1995
 47 
Rogneda of Polotsk
(Princess)
Rogneda of Polotsk
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 0962 AD
Birthplace: Polatsk
Died: 1002 AD
 48 
Ivonka Survilla
(Belarusian Political Figure)
Ivonka Survilla
2
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: April 11, 1936
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Stoŭbcy Stołpce

Ivonka Survilla is a Belarusian political figure and the current president of the Belarusian government in exile, the Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. In 2013, she was honored with the Canadian Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her efforts to restore democracy in Belarus. Survilla has also co-founded a charitable organization called Canadian Relief Fund for Chernobyl Victims in Belarus.

 49 
Kiryl Relikh
(Belarusian Boxer and Former WBA Super Lightweight Champion (2018 - 2019))
Kiryl Relikh
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 26, 1989
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Baranovichi

Nicknamed Mad Bee, Belarusian boxer Kiryl Relikh has previously been a WBA super lightweight title holder. In 2017, he lost to Cuban boxer Rances Barthelemy after a controversial unanimous decision in an extremely close fight. In 2020, he became the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board’s global fifth-best active super lightweight boxer.

 50 
Egor Gerasimov
(Belarusian Professional Tennis Player)
Egor Gerasimov
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 11, 1992
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Minsk

Belarusian professional tennis player Egor Alekseyevich Gerasimov made his ATP main draw debut in 2014 and won his first Grand Slam match at the 2019 US Open. On February 24, 2020, he attained his career high ATP singles ranking of World No. 65 and on March 2, 2015, he attained his career high ATP doubles ranking of World No. 263.

Chaïm Soutine, a painter of Belarusian Jewish origin made a major contribution to the expressionist movement while living in Paris. The country has also produced some fine writers such as Guillaume Apollinaire who is considered one of the foremost poets of the early 20th century and Mendele Mocher Sforim who was one of the founders of modern Yiddish and Hebrew literature. The Belarusian physicist Zhores Ivanovich Alferov invented the heterotransistor and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. This section provides you information about the life and works of famous Belarusians.