Chilean

Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

Chileans are known for their sense of humor, fun-loving nature, and love for music and dance. They are also famous for their prudence and wisdom. Chile was under Spanish colonial rule from mid-16th century to early 19th century until Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme together with José de San Martín, freed Chile from Spanish rule. Hard working and determined, Chileans began rebuilding their nation and Chile is today one of South America's most stable and prosperous nations. The country’s population is made up of people from varied backgrounds, the influence of which is reflected in their diverse cultures.

Vote For Your Favourite Chilean Personality
 1 
Pablo Neruda
(Chilean poet)
Pablo Neruda
48
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: July 12, 1904
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Parral, Chile
Died: September 23, 1973

Chilean poet-diplomat and politician, Pablo Neruda, won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. He was a versatile writer and his works include surrealist poems, historical epics, political manifestos, and love poems. He is considered the national poet of Chile. As a politician, he served a term as a senator for the Chilean Communist Party and held several diplomatic positions.

 2 
Pedro Pascal
(Actor)
Pedro Pascal
80
Birthdate: April 2, 1975
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Santiago, Chile
 3 
Alexis Sanchez
(Chilean Professional Football Forward)
Alexis Sanchez
75
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 19, 1988
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Tocopilla, Chile

Chilean professional footballer Alexis Sanchez currently plays for Serie A club Inter Milan and the Chile national team. He plays as a forward. He is Chile’s all-time leading goalscorer and helped Chile win the the 2015 Copa América tournament, marking one of the greatest achievements of his career.

Recommended Lists:
 4 
Isabel Allende
(Chilean-American Author Known for Her Novels: ‘The House of the Spirits’ and ‘City of the Beasts’)
Isabel Allende
25
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: August 2, 1942
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Lima, Peru
Chilean author Isabel Allende is known for her bestselling Spanish-language novels The House of the Spirits and City of the Beasts. The Chilean National Literature Prize-winner explores women’s perspectives and includes magic realism and autobiographical aspects in her works. She has also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Recommended Lists:
 5 
Cote de Pablo
(Actress, Singer and Co-Host of the Latin-American Talk Show ‘Entertainment Tonight’)
Cote de Pablo
25
Birthdate: November 12, 1979
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Santiago, Chile

Cote de Pablo is a Chilean-American singer and actress. She is best known for playing Ziva David in the popular action police procedural TV series NCIS. After co-hosting episodes of a Latin-American talk show titled Control, at the age of 15, Cote de Pablo went on to establish herself as a successful actress and musician.

 6 
Arturo Vidal
(Footballer)
Arturo Vidal
25
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 22, 1987
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: San Joaquín, Chile
 7 
Lorenza Izzo
(Chilean Model and Actress)
Lorenza Izzo
18
Birthdate: September 19, 1989
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Santiago, Chile
 8 
Salvador Allende
(28th President of Chile)
Salvador Allende
20
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: June 26, 1908
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Santiago, Chile
Died: September 11, 1973
Salvador Allende was a physician who later became the Chilean president, this becoming the first Marxist president of a Latin American nation. His policies included nationalization and collectivization. He committed suicide after delivering a farewell speech over radio, to escape General Augusto Pinochet’s coup to oust him from the government.
 9 
Alejandro Jodorowsky
(Chilean-Born French Film Director and Screenwriter)
Alejandro Jodorowsky
10
Birthdate: February 17, 1929
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Tocopilla, Chile

Chilean-French filmmaker and artist, Alejandro Jodorowsky, is best known for his avant-garde films. A multifaceted personality, he is also a novelist, poet, musician, composer, and spiritual guru. His films are filled with surreal images and mysticism. A much-revered figure in international cinema, he is the recipient of the Jack Smith Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chicago Underground Film Festival (CUFF).

 10 
Claudio Bravo
(Football Player)
Claudio Bravo
11
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 13, 1983
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Viluco, Chile
 11 
Santiago Cabrera
(Chilean-British Actor )
Santiago Cabrera
14
Birthdate: May 5, 1978
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Caracas, Venezuela
 12 
Iván Zamorano
(Football player)
Iván Zamorano
7
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 18, 1967
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Santiago, Chile
 13 
Manuel Pellegrini
(Association football manager)
Manuel Pellegrini
9
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 16, 1953
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Santiago, Chile
 14 
Horatio Sanz
(Chilean-born American Comedian and Actor)
Horatio Sanz
4
Birthdate: June 4, 1969
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Santiago, Chile
 15 
José de San Martín
(Military Leader, Politician)
José de San Martín
17
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 25, 1778
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Yapeyú
Died: August 17, 1850

José de San Martín was an Argentine general who played an important role in the Spanish American wars of independence. San Martín is considered a national hero of Peru and Argentina. The Order of the Liberator General San Martín, the highest honor conferred by the government of Argentina, was created in his honor.

 16 
Leonor Varela
(Chilean Actor and the Daughter of Biologist and Neuroscientist Francisco Varela García)
Leonor Varela
6
Birthdate: December 29, 1972
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Santiago, Chile
 17 
Gary Medel
(Football player)
Gary Medel
5
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 3, 1987
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Pudahuel, Chile
 18 
Gabriela Mistral
(Chilean poet)
Gabriela Mistral
9
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: April 7, 1889
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Vicuña, Chile
Died: January 10, 1957

Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet and educator Lucila Godoy Alcayaga was better known by her pseudonym, Gabriela Mistral. The suicide of her first love inspired her poem Dolor. Her diplomatic assignments later took her to places such as Madrid and Lisbon. She is remembered for her emotional verses and her feminism.

 19 
Nicolás Massú
(Tennis player)
Nicolás Massú
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 10, 1979
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Viña del Mar, Chile
 20 
Augusto Pinochet
(Former President of Chile)
Augusto Pinochet
47
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 25, 1915
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Valparaíso
Died: December 10, 2006
Augusto Pinochet was the president of the Chilean Military Junta from 1973 to 1981. He ousted the elected government of President Salvador Allende through a U.S.-supported coup and became the Chilean President in December 1974. Following this, he persecuted all political opponents and leftists and also advocated for Operation Condor
 21 
Víctor Jara
(Chilean Teacher and Theater Director Who Was Tortured and Killed by Dictator Augusto Pinochet’s Men)
Víctor Jara
6
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: September 28, 1932
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: San Ignacio, Chile
Died: September 16, 1973

Legendary Chilean folk singer Víctor Jara was eventually gearing up for a career as a priest and later studied theater, eventually switching to music. He pioneered the nueva canción genre of music in the middle of extreme political turmoil. He was tortured and shot dead during dictator Augusto Pinochet’s reign.

 22 
Sebastian Pinera
(Former Chilean President)
Sebastian Pinera
10
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: December 1, 1949
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Santiago

Chilean president Sebastian Pinera not only boasts of a Harvard doctoral degree but is also a successful businessman, having introduced credit cards to the Chilean public through his company Bancard. His Fundación Futuro works for causes such as energy and water conservation. He is married to his neighbor Cecilia Morel.

 23 
Violeta Parra
(Composer)
Violeta Parra
5
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: October 4, 1917
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: San Carlos, Chile
Died: February 5, 1967
 24 
Roberto Bolaño
(Chilean Writer Best Known for His Award-Winning Novel 'The Savage Detectives')
Roberto Bolaño
5
Birthdate: April 28, 1953
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Santiago, Chile
Died: July 15, 2003

A vagabond who roamed around countries such as Chile, Mexico, and France, author Roberto Bolaño eventually settled in Spain, where he spent his days working odd jobs, such as garbage collection and dishwashing, and wrote at night. He is remembered for his Rómulo Gallegos Prize-winning novel The Savage Detectives.

 25 
Marcelo Salas
(Football player)
Marcelo Salas
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 24, 1974
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Temuco, Chile
 26 
Claudio Arrau
(Pianist)
Claudio Arrau
3
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: February 6, 1903
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Chillán, Chile
Died: June 9, 1991
 27 
Sammis Reyes
(Basketball player, American football player)
Sammis Reyes
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 19, 1995
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Talcahuano, Biobío, Chile
 28 
Marcelo Ríos
(Former Tennis player who was the first Latin American player to reach the top position on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) singles rankings in March 1998)
Marcelo Ríos
5
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 26, 1975
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Santiago, Chile
 29 
Fernando González
(Tennis player)
Fernando González
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 29, 1980
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Santiago, Chile
 30 
Mauricio Isla
(Chilean footballer)
Mauricio Isla
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 12, 1988
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Buin
 31 
Ana Tijoux
(Singer)
Ana Tijoux
2
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: June 12, 1977
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Lille, France
 32 
Mon Laferte
(Singer known for her musical versatility, having composed songs in a wide variety of genres such as pop, rock)
Mon Laferte
6
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: May 2, 1983
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Viña del Mar, Chile
 33 
Orlando Letelier
(Chilean Politician, Economist, and Diplomat)
Orlando Letelier
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: April 13, 1932
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Temuco
Died: September 21, 1976

Orlando Letelier was a Chilean politician, economist, and diplomat. After his arrest due to his participation in the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, Letelier was exiled from Chile. In 1975, Letelier left for Washington D.C., where he achieved popularity as an economist and teacher. Orlando Letelier was murdered in 1976 by agents of the Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional.

 34 
Michelle Bachelet
(33rd and 35th President of Chile)
Michelle Bachelet
12
Listed In: Physicians
Birthdate: September 29, 1951
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Santiago, Chile

Chilean politician Michelle Bachelet serves as 7th United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. She became the first female politician in Chilean history who was elected as the country’s President and the first elected female leader in South America. She served as the 33rd and 35th President of Chile and held several other prominent positions during her expansive political career.

 35 
Mark González
(Footballer)
Mark González
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 10, 1984
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Durban

Mark González is a Chilean retired football player who was chosen to play three Copa América tournaments during his career. He also represented his national team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Renowned for his speed, Mark González helped his national team win their second Copa América Centenario in 2016.

 36 
Nicolas Jaar
(Chilean-American Recording Artist and Composer)
Nicolas Jaar
4
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: January 10, 1990
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
 37 
Don Francisco
(Chilean TV Host)
Don Francisco
10
Birthdate: December 28, 1940
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Talca, Chile
 38 
Lautaro
(Mapuche War Leader Who Led the Indigenous Chile Resistance Against the Spanish)
Lautaro
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 1534 AD
Birthplace: Treguaco, Chile
Died: April 29, 1557

Lautaro was a Mapuche war leader best remembered for spearheading the indigenous resistance against the conquest of Chile by the Spanish. He led the warriors of Mapuche to a series of triumphs against the Spanish. He was killed at the Battle of Mataquito in his early 20s. Lautaro is credited with developing tactics that were used even after his death.

 39 
Cristian Garín
(Tennis Player)
Cristian Garín
6
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 30, 1996
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Arica, Chile
 40 
Roberto Matta
(Surrealist Painter)
Roberto Matta
6
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: November 11, 1911
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Santiago
Died: November 23, 2002

Legendary Chilean painter Roberto Matta is remembered as a significant figure of the abstract expressionist and surrealist art of the 20th century. The Praemium Imperiale-winning artist had initially studied architecture in Santiago and had then worked for Le Corbusier in Paris. His inscape works were influenced by Freud’s psychoanalysis.

 41 
David Pizarro
(Footballer)
David Pizarro
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 11, 1979
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Valparaíso
 42 
Elías Figueroa
(Footballer)
Elías Figueroa
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 25, 1946
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Valparaíso, Chile
 43 
Isabel Allende Bussi
(Chilean Politician and the First Woman to Serve as the President of the Chilean Senate)
Isabel Allende Bussi
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 18, 1945
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Santiago

Isabel Allende Bussi is a Chilean politician best known for her service as the President of the Chilean Senate from 2014 to 2015. She was the first woman to serve as the president of the Senate in Chilean history. An important and influential member of the Socialist Party, Isabel Allende is currently serving as Senator for Valparaíso.

 44 
Paloma Mami
(Singer)
Paloma Mami
8
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: November 11, 1999
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States

Chilean-American singer Paloma Mami first gained fame with the reality show Rojo, el color del talento. She then became the first Chilean singer to seal a contract with Sony Music Latin. She has universal following, as she sings in both Spanish and English, and mingles Latin R&B with pop and trap.

 45 
Patricio Aylwin
(Chilean Politician, Lawyer, Author, and Professor)
Patricio Aylwin
3
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 26, 1918
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Viña del Mar, Chile
Died: April 19, 2016

Patricio Aylwin was a Chilean politician who served as the President of Chile from 1990 to 1994. Aylwin did much to reduce inequality and poverty. Under his presidency, the number of people living in poverty in Chile decreased significantly. He also served as the President of the Senate of Chile from 12 January 1971 to 22 May 1972.  

 46 
Luis Sepúlveda
(Chilean Author and Communist Militant Who Was Tortured During Augusto Pinochet’s Rule)
Luis Sepúlveda
3
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: October 4, 1949
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Ovalle, Chile
Died: April 16, 2020

Chilean author and journalist Luis Sepúlveda started his career leading a student movement under Salvador Allende’s rule. He was tortured and jailed during dictator Augusto Pinochet’s rule, and spent much of his life moving from one country to another. He later penned award-winning novels such as Un viejo que leía novelas de amor.

 47 
Miguel Serrano
(Chilean Diplomat, Occultist and Nazi Sympathizer Who Wrote Extensively on Esoteric Hitlerism)
Miguel Serrano
5
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: September 10, 1917
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Santiago
Died: February 28, 2009

Chilean diplomat and Nazi sympathizer Miguel Serrano was also an occultist who practiced kundalini yoga and studied Hinduism. He later became one of the most prominent authors of esoteric Hitlerism, claiming that the Aryan race had originated from extra-terrestrial entities. He was also the Chilean ambassador to countries such as Yugoslavia and India.

 48 
Xiye Bastida
(Climate activist and member of the indigenous Mexican Otomi-Toltec nation)
Xiye Bastida
2
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: April 18, 2002
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Atlacomulco, Toluca, Mexico
 49 
Ricardo Lagos
(Former President of Chile (2000 – 2006))
Ricardo Lagos
3
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: March 2, 1938
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Santiago

Ricardo Lagos is a Chilean lawyer and politician who served as the President of Chile from 2000 to 2006. He openly denounced Dictator Augusto Pinochet on live television in 1988. He also served as the Minister of Education from 1990 to 1992.

 50 
Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle
(31st President of Chile (1994 - 2000))
Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: June 24, 1942
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Santiago

Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle served as the President of Chile from 1994 to 2000. Under his presidency, poverty in Chile decreased and improvements were made in education and health sectors. An important politician, Frei also served as the President of the Senate of Chile from 2006 to 2008.

The nation’s folk music was revived in the mid 20th century by composers like Raul de Ramon, Margot Loyola, Luis Aguirre Pinto, and Violeta Parra. Chileans call their country país de poetas — country of poets—and for good reason. The nation has produced writers like Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda who received the Nobel Prize for Literature. Chileans have also made their mark in the fields of cinema and sports. Manuel Plaza Reyes, Luis Vicentini and Estanislao Loayza are among the great sportsmen born in the nation. Read on to discover about the life and works of famous Chileans.