Famous Panamanian People

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 1 
Roberto Durán
(Former Boxer from Panama Who Was a World Champion in 4 Categories)
Roberto Durán
20
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 16, 1951
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Guararé

Retired Panamanian boxer Roberto Durán had a 32-match winning streak before losing to Esteban De Jesús. Raised in the slums, he joined a gym as an 8-year-old. His punching style earned him the nickname Hands of Stone. He was a world champion in the lightweight, welterweight, light middleweight, and middleweight categories.

 2 
Mariano Rivera
(Former Professional Baseball Pitcher and One of the Greatest Relievers of All Time)
Mariano Rivera
15
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 29, 1969
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Panama City

Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian-American former baseball player who played for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). A five-time World Series champion and thirteen-time All-Star, Rivera was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019. He is also considered one of the most dominant relievers in the history of the major league.

 3 
Rubén Blades
(Musician & Singer Who Mainly Performs in 'Salsa' and 'Latin Jazz' Genres)
Rubén Blades
8
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: July 16, 1948
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Panama City

With 10 Grammy Awards, Panamanian musician, singer, and composer Rubén Blades didn’t just soar to international fame but also redefined the Latin jazz and salsa genres. A qualified lawyer from Harvard, he came to be known as the Latin Bruce Springsteen for his music that mirrored social issues.

 4 
Princess Angela of Liechtenstein
(Fashion designer and the wife of Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein)
Princess Angela of Liechtenstein
3
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: October 5, 1958
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Bocas del Toro Province
 5 
El General
(Musician)
El General
7
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: September 27, 1969
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Panama City
 6 
Omar Torrijos
(Elected official)
Omar Torrijos
11
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 13, 1929
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Santiago
Died: July 31, 1981
Omar Torrijos was a Panamanian political leader who served as the de facto leader of Panama from 1968 to 1981. Although he was never officially elected as the president of Panama, Torrijos held titles, such as Maximum Leader of the Panamanian Revolution. One of the most influential Panamanian personalities during his generation, Omar Torrijos introduced many social reforms in Panama.
 7 
Rolando Blackman
(Panamanian-American Former Basketball Player)
Rolando Blackman
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 26, 1959
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Panama City

Retired Panamanian-American basketball player Rolando Blackman first soared to fame with Kansas State and then had an illustrious career with NBA teams such as the Dallas Mavericks and the New York Knicks. A 4-time NBA All-Star, he is also associated with charitable initiatives and is a Kappa Alpha Psi member.

 8 
Sech
(Singer)
Sech
6
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: December 3, 1993
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Río Abajo
 9 
Román Torres
(Panamanian Professional Football Defender)
Román Torres
7
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 20, 1986
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Panama City

Panamanian professional football centre-back Román Torres commenced his senior-career with Chepo and thereafter played for several other clubs before joining his current club Cartaginés in January 2021. He became a national hero after netting the game-winning goal during final qualifying-match for 2018 FIFA World Cup that helped Panama qualify for their first-ever World Cup. Torres captained them in the tournament.

 10 
Juan Carlos Varela
(The 37th President of Panama)
Juan Carlos Varela
4
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: December 12, 1963
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Panama City

Panamanian businessman and former politician Juan Carlos Varela held-office as Minister of Foreign Relations and Vice President of Panama before serving as 37th President of Panama (2014-19). He also served as President of Panameñista Party. He was charged for money-laundering in the Odebrecht case, and is one of the former heads of state whose name is mentioned in Pandora Papers.

 11 
Ramon Fonseca Mora
(Panamanian Novelist, Lawyer and Co-Founder of the Former Law Firm ‘Mossack Fonseca’)
Ramon Fonseca Mora
4
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: July 14, 1952
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Panama City

Panamanian novelist and lawyer Ramón Fonseca Mora served as minister-counselor of Juan Carlos Varela, and as president of Panameñista Party till he was fired in 2016, because of Operation Car Wash. The Panama Papers resulted from hack of computer-systems of the Mossack Fonseca law firm that he co-founded with Jürgen Mossack. Both of them were arrested, jailed and later released.     

 12 
Billy Cobham
(Drummer)
Billy Cobham
4
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: May 16, 1944
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Colón
 13 
Jaime Penedo
(Panamanian Retired Footballer Who Played as a Goalkeeper)
Jaime Penedo
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 26, 1981
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Panama City

Retired Panamanian footballer Jaime Penedo was a reliable goalkeeper for teams such as Plaza Amador, LA Galaxy, and Dinamo București. He was also the goalkeeper of the fist Panamanian squad that played in a World Cup. He has won the Cupa Ligii with Dinamo București and the Major League Soccer with LA Galaxy.

 14 
Marc Anthony Thompson
(Panamanian Singer-Songwriter Known for His Albums: ‘Black Music’ and ‘Godmusic’)
Marc Anthony Thompson
5
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: December 2, 1952
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Panama

Marc Anthony Thompson is a Panamanian singer-songwriter currently based in New York City. He is the founder of the music project Chocolate Genius that also includes guitarist Marc Ribot, cellist Jane Scarpantoni, keyboardist John Medeski, and bassist Chris Wood. Besides his association with the group, he also performs as a solo artist and has scored film and theater productions.  

 15 
Justine Pasek
(Beauty pageant winner, Model)
Justine Pasek
2
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: August 27, 1979
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kharkiv
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 16 
Guillermo Endara
(President of Panama)
Guillermo Endara
5
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: May 12, 1936
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Panama City
Died: September 28, 2009

Guillermo Endara was the president of Panama from 1989 to 1994. A lawyer by qualification, he has served as a member of Panama's National Assembly in the past. As the president, he abolished the Panamanian military, replacing it with a national police force. While his tenure saw steady economic growth, it was also marred by internal fighting. 

 17 
Blas Pérez
(Retired Panamanian Footballer Who Played as a Forward)
Blas Pérez
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 13, 1981
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Panama City

Retired Panamanian footballer Blas Pérez had a successful stint as a forward for teams such as Deportivo Cali and Cúcuta Deportivo, winning the Categoría Primera A title with both. He was also named to the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup All-Star Team. He has also played for clubs from Colombia, Guatemala, Spain, and Canada.

 18 
Rubén Tejada
(Panamanian Professional Baseball Infielder)
Rubén Tejada
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 27, 1989
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Santiago

Baseball infielder Rubén Tejada, a free agent, played for Panama during 2009 World Baseball Classic. He made his MLB debut for New York Mets (2010) and moving-on played for St. Louis CardinalsSan Francisco Giants, and Baltimore Orioles. He signed MiLB contract with Mets (2019) and thereafter with Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies and finally with Chicago White Sox (2021).

 19 
Felipe Baloy
(Retired Panamanian Footballer Who Scored Panama’s First Ever Goal in a FIFA World Cup)
Felipe Baloy
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 24, 1981
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Panama City

Former Panamanian footballer Felipe Baloy played as a defender and has a successful career with clubs such as Santos Laguna. He has also played for the Mexican club Monterrey and is a naturalized Mexican citizen. In 2018, he scripted history by scoring Panama’s first FIFA World Cup goal.

 20 
Mireya Moscoso
(Former President of Panama (1999 - 2004))
Mireya Moscoso
3
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: July 1, 1946
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Pedasi

Mireya Moscoso is a Panamanian politician who became the first female president of Panama in 1999. Previously married to three-time president Arnulfo Arias, she assumed control of his political party, the Arnulfista Party (PA), after his death. Her tenure as the president was marred by corruption scandals, and she was succeeded by Martín Torrijos in 2004. 

 21 
Ricardo Martinelli
(Former President of Panama)
Ricardo Martinelli
3
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: March 11, 1952
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Panama City

Ricardo Martinelli is a Panamanian businessman and politician.From 2009 to 2014, he served as the president of Panama and his presidency witnessed steady economic growth in the country. Martinelli came up with several measures to decrease poverty. He increased the minimum wage and introduced measures to tackle unemployment.

 22 
Ed Cota
(Retired Panamanian-American Basketball Player Who Remained Undrafted by the NBA)
Ed Cota
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 19, 1976
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Los Angeles

Retired Panamanian-American basketball player Ed Cota has a Centrobasket gold medal in his kitty. Though he went undrafted by the NBA due to his lack of height, he began his senior career with the American club Gary Steelheads. He later played for clubs such as BC Dynamo Saint Petersburg and Barcelona.

 23 
Irving Saladino
(Former Long Jumper and Panama's First Olympic Gold Medalist)
Irving Saladino
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 23, 1983
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Colón
Irving Saladino is a Panamanian retired athlete who specialized in long jump. He is best known for winning a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Over the course of his career, Irving Saladino also won gold medals at the World Championships, Ibero-American Championships, Pan American Games, South American Games, Central American Games, and Central American and Caribbean Games.
 24 
Gabriel Torres
(Panamanian Professional Football Forward)
Gabriel Torres
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 31, 1988
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Panama City

Panamanian footballer Gabriel Torres plays as a forward for the Chilean club Deportes Antofagasta and the Panama national team. He has also had successful stints with clubs such as Chepo, La Equidad, Zamora, and Independiente Del Valle. He scored 20 goals in the 2012-13 Venezuelan Primera División.

 25 
Ildaura Murillo-Rohde
(Nurse)
Ildaura Murillo-Rohde
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: September 6, 1920
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Panama
Died: September 5, 2010
 26 
Patricia de Leon
(Actress, Beauty Pageant winner)
Patricia de Leon
2
Birthdate: January 2, 1978
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Panama City
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 27 
Panama Al Brown
(The First Latin American Boxing World Champion)
Panama Al Brown
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 5, 1902
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Colón
Died: April 11, 1951

Panamanian boxer Panama Al Brown is remembered as one of the most successful boxers in bantamweight history and was the first Latin American boxing world champion. A queer icon, he was openly gay and had a long-term relationship with French poet Jean Cocteau. He also experimented with tap dancing and cabaret.

 28 
Juan Williams
(Journalist)
Juan Williams
5
Birthdate: April 10, 1954
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Colon
 29 
Julio Dely Valdés
(Panamanian Former Professional Football Striker)
Julio Dely Valdés
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 12, 1967
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Colón

Retired Panamanian footballer Julio Dely Valdés was a successful striker for teams such as Nacional, Paris Saint-Germain, and Malaga. He also made it to the 2021 IFFHS CONCACAF Men's Team of All Time. He is the twin brother of Jorge Dely Valdés and the younger brother of Armando Dely Valdés, both footballers

 30 
Carlos Ruiz
(Panamanian Former Professional Baseball Catcher)
Carlos Ruiz
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 22, 1979
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: David

Retired Panamanian baseball player Carlos Ruiz, also known to his fans as Chooch, had an illustrious decade-long career with the Philadelphia Phillies. He later represented the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Seattle Mariners. He remains the only NL player to catch 4 no-hitters and also won a World Series championship with the Phillies.

 31 
Fidel Escobar
(Panamanian Football Centre-Back)
Fidel Escobar
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 9, 1995
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Panama City

Panamanian footballer Fidel Escobar plays as a defender for the Spanish club Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa. After starting his senior career with San Francisco, he later also represented clubs such as New York Red Bulls. He was part of the Panama Under-20 team that became the runner-up at the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.

 32 
Manny Sanguillén
(Former Panamanian Baseball Player Who Played as a Catcher)
Manny Sanguillén
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 21, 1944
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Colón
Manny Sanguillén is a Panamanian retired baseball player best known for his association with the Major League Baseball team Pittsburgh Pirates that won five National League Eastern Division titles between 1970 and 1975 and the World Series in 1971 and 1979. Although he played predominantly as a catcher, Manny Sanguillén had an impressive lifetime batting average of .296.
 33 
Isabel Saint Malo
(First Woman Who Served as Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Panama)
Isabel Saint Malo
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: June 27, 1968
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Panama City

Politician and diplomat Isabel de Saint Malo is the first woman in Panamanian history who served as Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama. She held office under President Juan Carlos Varela from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2019. She advocates for several social-issues including eradicating poverty and social inequality and drove policies centred on such issues.

 34 
Makano
(Singer-songwriter)
Makano
0
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: May 7, 1983
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Colombia City
 35 
Flex
(Singer Songwriter)
Flex
3
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: August 29, 1980
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Panama City
 36 
Eusebio Pedroza
(Panamanian Boxer and Former WBA Featherweight Champion)
Eusebio Pedroza
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 2, 1956
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Panama City
Died: March 1, 2019
Eusebio Pedroza was a Panamanian boxer best remembered for his WBA featherweight championship reign from 1978 to 1985. During his reign as the WBA featherweight champion, Eusebio Pedroza defended his title against 18 different contenders, a record in the history of featherweight boxing.  
 37 
Manuel Noriega
(Former Panamanian Dictator)
Manuel Noriega
38
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 11, 1934
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Panama City
Died: May 29, 2017

Panamanian politician and military officer, Manuel Noriega, was the de facto ruler of Panama from 1983 to 1989. As an army man, he overthrew President Arnulfo Arias in a coup in 1968 and became the de facto ruler of Panama a few years later. He was a controversial leader and his rule has been described as a dictatorship.

 38 
Mehr Eliezer
(Model, Beauty pageant winner)
Mehr Eliezer
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 16, 1997
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: New Delhi
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 39 
Rosa Montezuma
(Model, Beauty pageant winner)
Rosa Montezuma
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: May 16, 1993
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: David
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 40 
Joey Montana
(Singer)
Joey Montana
2
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: May 3, 1982
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Boquete
 41 
Iverson Molinar
(Panamanian Basketball Player Who Plays as a Shooting Guard and Point Guard)
Iverson Molinar
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 3, 1999
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Panama City
Iverson Molinar is a Panamanian basketball player who currently plays for the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA. Prior to starting his NBA career in 2022, Molinar played for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Iverson Molinar has also played for the Panama men's national basketball team, representing his country in important tournaments, including the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup.
 42 
Laffit Pincay Jr.
(Panamanian Jockey)
Laffit Pincay Jr.
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 29, 1946
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Panama City
 43 
Josenid
(Singer)
Josenid
2
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: December 3, 1998
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Chiriquí
 44 
Johan Camargo
(Panamanian Baseball Player Who Plays as an Infielder)
Johan Camargo
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 13, 1993
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Panama City
Johan Camargo is a Panamanian baseball player who plays as an infielder in the Major League Baseball. He currently plays for the Philadelphia Phillies, having previously played for the Atlanta Braves from 2017 to 2021.
 45 
Armando Cooper
(Panamanian Footballer Who Plays as a Midfielder)
Armando Cooper
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 26, 1987
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Colón
Armando Cooper is a Panamanian football player who plays for the Panama national team. A versatile midfielder, Cooper is renowned for his energy, dribbling skills, and creativity. Armando Cooper has also played for popular clubs and is currently a part of the famous Israeli club Maccabi Petah Tikva.
 46 
Jaime Murrell
(Composer)
Jaime Murrell
0
Birthdate: October 31, 1949
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Panama City
Died: February 4, 2021
 47 
Laura de Sanctis
(Model, Beauty pageant)
Laura de Sanctis
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: June 28, 1996
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Panama City
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 48 
Martín Torrijos
(Politician)
Martín Torrijos
3
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: July 18, 1963
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Chitré
Died: 1981 AD

Former Panamanian president Martín Torrijos was born out of an illegitimate relationship of military ruler Omar Torrijos and was disowned by his father till his teenage years. While studying in the U.S., he had also worked at McDonald's. His reforms include major changes in his country’s pensions and social security.

 49 
José Quintero
(Theatre director)
José Quintero
1
Birthdate: October 15, 1924
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Panama City
Died: February 26, 1999
 50 
Luis Tejada
(Panamanian Professional Football Striker)
Luis Tejada
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 28, 1982
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Panama City

Panamanian footballer Luis Tejada now plays as a striker for the Peruvian club Molinos El Pirata. He won the 2011 Peruvian First Division with Juan Aurich. He has also played for clubs from Colombia, Mexico, and the US. He was also the CONCACAF Gold Cup Top Goalscorer in 2005.