Famous People Born In Basel

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 1 
Roger Federer
(One of the Most Successful Male Tennis Players of All Time)
Roger Federer
53
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 8, 1981
Sun Sign: Leo

Widely regarded as the greatest tennis player of all time, Roger Federer has won the most number of men's Grand Slam singles titles. He is the only person to be honored with the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year award on four occasions. Despite enduring several injuries, Federer continues to dominate the tennis court.

 2 
Leonhard Euler
(Mathematician, Physicist)
Leonhard Euler
31
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: April 15, 1707
Sun Sign: Aries
Died: September 18, 1783

Leonhard Euler was a Swiss physicist, mathematician, logician, geographer, astronomer, and engineer. He is credited with making influential and important mathematical discoveries, such as graph theory and infinitesimal calculus. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most prolific mathematicians of all time, Leonhard Euler also made pioneering contributions to analytic number theory and topology.

 3 
Jacob Bernoulli
(Mathematician)
Jacob Bernoulli
10
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: December 27, 1654
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died: August 16, 1705

Born into a family of drug merchants, Jacob Bernoulli was forced to study theology by his father but later deviated to math. He taught math and laid down the Bernoulli’s equation and calculus of variations. Apart from him and his brother, Johann Bernoulli, his family later produced more great mathematicians.

 4 
Granit Xhaka
(Swiss Professional Football Player Who Plays as a Midfielder)
Granit Xhaka
21
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 27, 1992
Sun Sign: Libra

Swiss footballer and Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka wasn’t just part of the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning Swiss team but has also been part of 2 FIFA World Cups. In 2022, he posted an apology on social media following his red-card exit in a game against Liverpool.

 5 
Johann Bernoulli
(Mathematician)
Johann Bernoulli
4
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: August 6, 1667
Sun Sign: Leo
Died: January 1, 1748

Brother and colleague of Swiss mathematician Jacob Bernoulli and part of the famous Bernoulli family of mathematicians, Johann Bernoulli was initially pushed to join his family business of drug and spices. He later took up medicine, eventually deviating to math and contributing to infinitesimal calculus, along with Jacob.

 6 
Peter Zumthor
(Swiss Architect)
Peter Zumthor
3
Listed In: Architects
Birthdate: April 26, 1943
Sun Sign: Taurus
 7 
Jacob Burckhardt
(Swiss Historian of Art and Culture)
Jacob Burckhardt
1
Birthdate: May 25, 1818
Sun Sign: Gemini
Died: August 8, 1897

Swiss cultural historian and historiographer Jacob Burckhardt is best remembered for his work on the history of Italian Renaissance, Die Kultur der Renaissance in Italien. Born to a Protestant clergyman, he initially studied theology but later switched to history. He was associated with the University of Basel for most of his life.

 8 
Pierre De Meuron
(Swiss Architect)
Pierre De Meuron
1
Listed In: Architects
Birthdate: May 8, 1950
Sun Sign: Taurus
 9 
Arnold Böcklin
(Swiss Symbolist Painter)
Arnold Böcklin
1
Birthdate: October 16, 1827
Sun Sign: Libra
Died: January 16, 1901

Though born to a silk trader, Arnold Böcklin ditched his family business and deviated toward art instead. Initially part of the Düsseldorf school of painting, the Symbolist painter later found inspiration in Rome and infused mythological elements in his art. Isle of the Dead and Pan in the Bulrushes remain his best-known works.

 10 
Marthe Keller
(Swiss Actress and Opera Director)
Marthe Keller
2
Birthdate: January 28, 1945
Sun Sign: Aquarius

Marthe Keller is a Swiss actress best known for her portrayal of Elsa Opel in the 1976 film Marathon Man, for which she received a Golden Globe Award nomination under the Best Supporting Actress category. Marthe Keller is also renowned for her theater and opera work. She made her debut as an opera director with Dialogues des Carmélites in 1999.

 11 
Friedrich Miescher
(First Scientist to Isolate Nucleic Acid in 1869)
Friedrich Miescher
2
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: August 13, 1844
Sun Sign: Leo
Died: August 26, 1895

Apart from being the first to discover nucleic acid, Swiss biochemist Friedrich Miescher also isolated protamine, a protein associated with nucleic acid. Born to a scientifically rich family, he initially wished to become a doctor, but rendered partially deaf due to typhoid, he later chose physiological chemistry.

 12 
Javier Gomez Noya
(Spanish Triathlete)
Javier Gomez Noya
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 25, 1983
Sun Sign: Aries
 13 
Taulant Xhaka
(Swiss Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Defensive Midfielder)
Taulant Xhaka
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 28, 1991
Sun Sign: Aries
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 14 
Karl Barth
(Theologian)
Karl Barth
5
Birthdate: May 10, 1886
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: December 10, 1968

Swiss theologian Karl Barth is best remembered for his iconic work The Epistle to the Romans. His opposition to the German National Socialism got him suspended as a professor at the University of Bonn. Along with Eduard Thurneysen, he revolutionized Protestant ideals. He also delivered sermons to prisoners in Basel.

 15 
Noah Okafor
(Swiss Professional Footballer Who Plays as Striker)
Noah Okafor
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 24, 2000
Sun Sign: Gemini
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 16 
Albian Ajeti
(Swiss Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Albian Ajeti
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 26, 1997
Sun Sign: Pisces
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 17 
Alexander Frei
(Swiss Professional Football Coach and a Former Player Who Played as a Forward)
Alexander Frei
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 15, 1979
Sun Sign: Cancer
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 18 
Frithjof Schuon
(Swiss Metaphysician)
Frithjof Schuon
0
Birthdate: June 18, 1907
Sun Sign: Gemini
Died: May 5, 1998

Swiss-born German philosopher and metaphysician Frithjof Schuon was a major figure of the Traditionalist School of thought. He also propagated Religio Perennis and wrote extensively about his belief in God, the absolute principle. Most of his work was penned in French and very few in his mother tongue, German.

 19 
Murat Yakin
(Swiss Football Coach and Former Player)
Murat Yakin
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 15, 1974
Sun Sign: Virgo
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 20 
Eren Derdiyok
(Swiss Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Eren Derdiyok
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 12, 1988
Sun Sign: Gemini
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 21 
Nicolas Fatio de Duillier
(Swiss Mathematician and Astronomer)
Nicolas Fatio de Duillier
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: February 26, 1664
Sun Sign: Pisces
Died: May 10, 1753

A close associate of Isaac Newton, Swiss mathematician Nicolas Fatio de Duillier, was, according to many, the reason for Newton’s nervous breakdown after they fell apart. He is best remembered for co-discovering the phenomenon of zodiacal light and for inventing the shadow theory of gravitation.

 22 
Natascha Badmann
(Swiss Professional Triathlete)
Natascha Badmann
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 6, 1966
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 23 
Werner Groebli
(Figure skater)
Werner Groebli
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 21, 1915
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: April 14, 2008
 24 
Katy French
(Socialite)
Katy French
3
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: October 31, 1983
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Died: December 6, 2007
 25 
Hakan Yakin
(Swiss Football Coach and a Former Player Who Played as a Forward / Midfielder)
Hakan Yakin
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 22, 1977
Sun Sign: Pisces
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 26 
Chrigel Glanzmann
(Swiss Musician and Singer Best Known as the Male Lead Vocalist of Swiss Folk Metal Band 'Eluveitie')
Chrigel Glanzmann
0
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: May 26, 1975
Sun Sign: Gemini

Best known as the lead vocalist of the Swiss folk metal band Eluveitie, Christian Oliver Glanzmann, or Chrigel Glanzmann, is also skilled in playing a number of instruments, such as the bagpipes, the mandola, the bodhrán, and the tin whistle. Glanzmann had first formed his band as a studio project.

 27 
Miloš Veljković
(Serbian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Centre-Back)
Miloš Veljković
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 26, 1995
Sun Sign: Libra
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 28 
Rebeka Masarova
(Spanish Professional Tennis Player)
Rebeka Masarova
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 6, 1999
Sun Sign: Leo

Born to a Spanish mother and a Slovak father in Switzerland, Rebeka Masarova was first inspired to take up tennis after watching Roger Federer in the 2003 Wimbledon final. She first gained attention after winning the 2016 French Open junior championship. While she initially played for Switzerland, she later switched to representing Spain.

 29 
Hannes Meyer
(Swiss Architect)
Hannes Meyer
0
Listed In: Architects
Birthdate: November 18, 1889
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Died: July 19, 1954
 30 
Eray Cömert
(Swiss Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Defender)
Eray Cömert
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 4, 1998
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 31 
Jean Piccard
(American Chemist Who Invented 'Clustered High-Altitude Balloons')
Jean Piccard
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: January 28, 1884
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Died: January 28, 1963

Swiss-born American chemist Jean Piccard and academic had been associated with various institutes, such as the universities of Chicago, Minnesota, and Lausanne. He was also a passionate balloonist and conducted balloon flights for his research on cosmic rays and the stratosphere. He also collaborated with his balloonist wife on many inventions.

 32 
Patty Schnyder
(Swiss Retired Tennis Player)
Patty Schnyder
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 14, 1978
Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Once world number 7 in singles, former Swiss tennis star Patty Schnyder has defeated the who’s who of tennis, including Maria Sharapova, Martina Hingis, and Serena Williams. Shortly before retiring from tennis, she became the oldest female to qualify for a Grand Slam, by making it to the US Open.

 33 
Arlind Ajeti
(Swiss Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Centre-Back)
Arlind Ajeti
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 25, 1993
Sun Sign: Libra
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 34 
Marco Streller
(Swiss Former Footballer Who Played as a Striker)
Marco Streller
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 18, 1981
Sun Sign: Gemini
Height: 3'3" (99 cm)
 35 
Marc Allégret
(French Photographer, Screenwriter, and Film Director)
Marc Allégret
1
Birthdate: December 22, 1900
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died: November 3, 1973

Marc Allégret was a French photographer, screenwriter, and film director. He is credited with helping numerous actors achieve popularity. Performers like Simone Simon, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Michèle Morgan, and Brigitte Bardot were able to establish themselves as bankable and famous actors after appearing in films directed by Marc Allégret.

 36 
Johann Jakob Bachofen
(Antiquarian)
Johann Jakob Bachofen
0
Birthdate: December 22, 1815
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died: November 25, 1887
 37 
Angelo Schirinzi
(Swiss Beach Soccer Player and Coach)
Angelo Schirinzi
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 5, 1972
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 38 
Gaspard Bauhin
(Swiss Botanist Who Introduced a Scientific Binomial System of Classification to Both Anatomy and Botany)
Gaspard Bauhin
1
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: January 17, 1560
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died: December 5, 1624

Born to a French physician in Switzerland, Gaspard Bauhin was a qualified physician himself and later made some of the most significant contributions to the classification of plants. Known for his Pinax theatri botanica, he also provided one of the initial descriptions of the ileocecal (or Bauhin’s) valve.

 39 
Edwin Fischer
(Swiss classical pianist)
Edwin Fischer
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: October 6, 1886
Sun Sign: Libra
Died: January 24, 1960

One of the greatest 20th-century pianists, Edwin Fischer is best remembered for his renditions of German legends such as Bach, Brahms, and Beethoven. He not only established his own chamber orchestra, but also taught in Lucerne and launched a foundation to help young and underprivileged musicians.

 40 
Matthäus Merian
(Engraver)
Matthäus Merian
1
Birthdate: September 22, 1593
Sun Sign: Virgo
Died: June 19, 1650

Though born in Switzerland, engraver Matthäus Merian mostly worked in Germany. Best remembered for his topographical works, he also worked for the publishing house of J. T. de Bry and later married his daughter, taking over the business. His work took him to places such as Paris, Basle, and Nancy.

 41 
Darko Jevtić
(Swiss Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Midfielder)
Darko Jevtić
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 8, 1993
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 42 
Willy Burgdorfer
(Scientist)
Willy Burgdorfer
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: June 27, 1925
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died: November 17, 2014
 43 
Paul Sacher
(Swiss Conductor, Patron and Billionaire Businessperson)
Paul Sacher
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: April 28, 1906
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: May 26, 1999

While his marriage to Maja Stehlin, the widow of the sole heir of the pharmaceutical giant Hoffmann-La Roche, made him the world’s third-richest man, Paul Sacher was a talented composer in his own right. Apart from a chamber orchestra and a choir, he also founded a music academy.

 44 
Xavier Mertz
(Swiss Polar Explorer, Mountaineer, and Skier)
Xavier Mertz
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: October 6, 1882
Sun Sign: Libra
Died: January 8, 1913
 45 
Arianna Savall
(Singer)
Arianna Savall
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: 1972 AD
 46 
Maximilian Ulysses Browne
(Military Leader)
Maximilian Ulysses Browne
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: October 23, 1705
Sun Sign: Libra
Died: June 26, 1757
 47 
Dani Levy
(Swiss Filmmaker, Screenwriter, Actor, and Theatrical Director)
Dani Levy
0
Birthdate: November 17, 1957
Sun Sign: Scorpio

Dani Levy is a Swiss filmmaker, screenwriter, actor, and theatrical director. He is credited with directing critically acclaimed films like Stille Nacht and Mein Führer – Die wirklich wahrste Wahrheit über Adolf Hitler. Dani Levy is also credited with co-founding a German production company named X Filme Creative Pool.

 48 
K. Alex Müller
(Swiss Physicist and Winner of 1987 Nobel Prize for Physics)
K. Alex Müller
1
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: April 20, 1927
Sun Sign: Taurus

Nobel Prize-winning physicist K. Alex Müller was the son of a budding musician and was sent to an Evangelical college after his mother’s death. He later joined ETH Zurich and then continued his research at the IBM Research laboratory. He is best known for his joint discovery of superconductivity in ceramic material.

 49 
Elisabeth Müller
(Actress)
Elisabeth Müller
0
Birthdate: July 18, 1926
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died: December 11, 2006
 50 
Ludwig Senfl
(Composer)
Ludwig Senfl
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: 1486 AD
Died: December 2, 1543

Swiss composer Ludwig Senfl was a major figure of the Franco-Netherlandish school of music. Starting his singing career with the choir of Maximilian I, he also initially aspired to be a priest. His works include motets, lieder, and masses. He also edited the anthology Liber selectarum cantionum.