Denmark has cemented its position among world’s top countries. And going by the gamut of its beauty and brains, it is not hard to see why. That is true! Denmark has come a long, long way from the time Danish Vikings hit the seas and ravaged most of Europe. Today, the country captures global imagination with its progressive politics, breathtaking architecture, free University education, and not to forget, its lip-smacking pastries. No wonder, the Danes are among the happiest in the world and are an inspiration to many. There is no denying the range of impact the Danes have asserted over the world. Their contribution to global entertainment, literature, art, science, and culture has been gargantuan. From the creator of Fairy Tales, Hans Christian Andersen to Hollywood heartthrob Scarlett Johansson, the Danish have stamped their greatness in diverse genres and how. Explore the lives and deeds of famous Danish people in their timeline, trivia, and facts below and get ready to be clearly inspired. And yes, these biographies are worth a read.
This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.
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Famous As: Musician
Birthdate: December 26, 1963
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Gentofte Municipality, Denmark
Musician, songwriter, and record producer, Lars Ulrich, is best known as the drummer and co-founder of American heavy metal band Metallica. Born into a family of tennis players, he was initially expected to play the sport as well. However, he was more interested in music and proceeded to pursue a successful career in the field.
Famous As: Author
Birthdate: April 2, 1805
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Odense, Denmark
Died: August 4, 1875
Legendary Danish children’s author Hans Christian Andersen is remembered for his fairy tales, such as The Little Mermaid, The Little Match Girl, The Emperor's New Clothes, and Thumbelina, which have been appreciated by the young the old alike. Many of his tales have been adapted into films, ballets, and plays.
Famous As: Physicist
Birthdate: October 7, 1885
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Died: November 18, 1962
Nobel Prize-winning Danish physicist Niels Bohr is remembered for his work on the atomic structure and quantum theory. He laid down the Bohr model of the atom and established the Niels Bohr Institute. The element Bohrium has been named after him. He was also part of the British nuclear project.
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Famous As: Theologian
Birthdate: May 5, 1813
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Died: November 11, 1855
Soren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher, theologian, social critic, poet, and religious author. Widely regarded as the first existentialist philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard is sometimes referred to as the Father of Existentialism. He is also credited with influencing many theologians, philosophers, and writers like Paul Feyerabend, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and Jorge Luis Borges.
Famous As: Football player
Birthdate: November 18, 1963
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Gladsaxe Municipality, Denmark
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: November 22, 1965
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Mads Mikkelsen is a Danish actor best known for his portrayal of Le Chiffre in the 2006 spy film Casino Royale, which earned him international recognition. One of the most celebrated and decorated Danish actors of his generation, Mads Mikkelsen has received several prestigious awards such as the Bodil Award, European Film Academy Achievement award, and Cannes Film Festival Award.
Famous As: Viking Warrior
Birthdate: 0800 AD
Birthplace: Denmark
Died: 0873 AD
Viking leader Ivar the Boneless is known for his invasion of Anglo-Saxon England. Icelandic legends state that he was born with weak bones, as his father had broken a vow. He is also identified as Ímar, who founded the Uí Ímair Dynasty and ruled Northumbria and the Kingdom of Dublin.
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Famous As: Astronomer
Birthdate: December 14, 1546
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Knutstorp Manor, Sweden
Died: October 24, 1601
Danish astronomer and writer Tycho Brahe, an heir to a noble family, was one of the last greatest naked-eye astronomers. According to the Tychonic system of astronomy, the Sun orbited the Earth. His assistant Johannes Kepler used Tycho's astronomical data to form his laws of planetary motion.
Famous As: Model
Birthdate: December 25, 1968
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Helena Christensen is a Danish photographer and supermodel. A former beauty queen, clothing designer, and Victoria's Secret Angel, Christensen has been featured on cover pages of magazines, such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Well-known for her philanthropic activities, Christensen has participated in campaigns to raise awareness about climate change. She has also launched fundraising campaigns to fight against breast cancer.
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: July 27, 1970
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Rudkøbing, Denmark
After starring in films such as Black Hawk Down and Kingdom of Heaven, Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau amazed audiences with his iconic two-time Emmy-nominated role of Jaime Lannister in the series Game of Thrones. He first gained fame with the Danish film Nightwatch. He is also a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador.
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: April 26, 1958
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
The winner of Critics' Choice Television Award, Giancarlo Esposito is known for playing a variety of roles in films and TV series. From portraying drug dealers to policemen, Esposito has proved his versatility in the American film industry. He has also been featured in popular video games, such as Payday 2 and Far Cry 6.
Famous As: Football Player
Birthdate: February 14, 1992
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Middelfart, Denmark
Five-time Danish Football Player of the Year Christian Eriksen has gained fame as a Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, and now plays for Inter Milan. He has been Hotspur’s Player of the Year twice and became the only player apart from Beckham to score 10+ assists in four successive Premier League seasons.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: July 3, 1965
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Frederikshavn, Denmark
Danish actor Connie Nielsen is best known for her award-winning role of Lucilla in Gladiator. She also appeared in the film One Hour Photo and in the series Boss and The Following. She played Hippolyta in DC films such as Wonder Woman. Nielsen is a polyglot who speaks eight languages.
Famous As: Footballer
Birthdate: November 5, 1986
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: July 15, 1963
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Rødovre, Denmark
Brigitte Nielsen is a Danish actress, singer, model, and reality television personality. She is best known for appearing in popular movies like Red Sonja, Rocky IV, and Cobra. Brigitte Nielsen is also known for her highly publicized marriage and the subsequent divorce with Sylvester Stallone.
Famous As: Comedian, Writer
Birthdate: May 3, 1958
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Sandi Toksvig is best known as the host of shows such as News Quiz, QI, and The Great British Bake Off. The Women's Equality Party co-founder is also a lesbian icon and has written several children’s and adult books and plays. She hosted a motivational podcast during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Famous As: Painter
Birthdate: December 28, 1882
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Vejle, Denmark
Died: September 13, 1931
Danish painter Lili Elbe, a transgender woman, became one of the first to undergo a sex reassignment surgery. She passed away after a failed uterus transplant surgery. Her autobiography, Man into Woman: An Authentic Record of a Change of Sex, was released posthumously. She inspired the novel The Danish Girl.
Famous As: Queen of Denmark
Birthdate: April 16, 1940
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Margrethe II, the reigning queen of Denmark, ascended to the throne after the death of her father, King Frederick IX, becoming the first female monarch of her country since Margrethe I. At 13, she was named her father’s heir through a constitutional amendment allowing daughters to inherit the Danish throne.
Famous As: Queen of the United Kingdom (1901-1910)
Birthdate: December 1, 1844
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Died: November 20, 1925
Alexandra of Denmark was the queen of the U.K. and the empress of India from 1901 to 1910, as the wife of King Edward VII. Her style of dressing inspired English fashion back then. She supported her son George V’s campaign against Germany, with the Allies, during World War I.
Famous As: King of Denmark
Birthdate: 0990 AD
Birthplace: Denmark
Died: November 12, 1035
Birthdate: 0000 AD
Lukas Graham is a Danish musical band which comprises multi-instrumentalist and lead vocalist Lukas Forchhammer, drummer Mark Falgren, and bassist Magnus Larsson. Lukas Graham has won a couple of prestigious awards such as Danish Music Award and MTV Europe Music Award.
Famous As: Viking Warrior
Birthdate: 0000 AD
Died: 0891 AD
Sigurd Snake-in-the-eye was a legendary Danish king and Viking warrior who lived in the 9th century. Scandinavian records state he was the son of Viking Ragnar Lodbrok and Áslaug. Some histories also identify him with King Sigfred. He was played by David Lindström in the History Channel series Vikings.
Famous As: Film director
Birthdate: April 30, 1956
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Lyngby, Denmark
Danish film director and screenwriter Lars von Trier has been active in the entertainment industry for almost four decades. He is known for exploring topics like existential issues, politics, mental health, etc. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Palme d'Or, the Grand Prix, and the Prix du Jury. He has seven Academy Award nominations as well.
Famous As: King of Greece (1863-1916)
Birthdate: December 24, 1845
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Died: March 18, 1913
George I of Greece reigned as the king of Greece from 1863 until his murder in 1913. During his reign of nearly 50 years, which is the longest in the history of modern Greece, George helped expand Greece's territory significantly. During his reign, Greece also became increasingly prosperous and attained a popular place on the European stage.
Famous As: Painter
Birthdate: July 10, 1830
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands
Died: November 13, 1903
Camille Pissarro was a Danish-French painter best remembered for his contributions to Impressionism, Neo-Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism. He is credited with establishing a group of 15 aspiring artists, for which he served as a pivotal figure. He was regarded as a father figure to several important painters, including Vincent Willem van Gogh.
Famous As: Princess
Birthdate: February 5, 1972
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Hobart, Australia
Mary Elizabeth Donaldson is the Crown Princess of Denmark and the Countess of Monpezat, as the wife of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark. She previously worked as a consultant for Microsoft and had met Prince Frederik at a Sydney pub when he in Australia for the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Famous As: Prince of Denmark
Birthdate: May 26, 1968
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark is the first in order of succession to the Danish throne. Frederik has various interests that range from climate change to sports. He often encourages the people of Denmark to stay active and healthy. He has also established the Crown Prince Frederik's Foundation, which aims to provide financial support to students and encourage scientific expeditions.
Famous As: Empress
Birthdate: November 26, 1847
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Died: October 13, 1928
Maria Feodorovna was a Danish princess who married Emperor Alexander III and became Empress of Russia. She was the second daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark and Louise of Hesse-Kassel. She grew up to be a beautiful and charming woman. She was married to Alexander Alexandrovich, the son of Emperor Alexander II and his first wife Maria Alexandrovna.
Famous As: Illustrator
Birthdate: March 15, 1886
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Hammelev, Denmark
Died: July 28, 1940
Gerda Wegener was a Danish painter and illustrator. She began painting as a young girl and received her training at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. As a painter, she often depicted confident and elegant women performing a variety of activities in her works. She also painted fashion illustrations and what was labeled “lesbian erotica.”
Famous As: Football player
Birthdate: February 22, 1969
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Famous As: Football Player
Birthdate: January 16, 1988
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Nicklas Bendtner is a Danish football player. A tall and physically strong player, Nicklas Bendtner possesses a powerful header, which he often uses to good effect. Throughout the course of his career, he has played for popular teams like Arsenal Football Club and Juventus Football Club. He also represented his national team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Famous As: King
Birthdate: 0910 AD
Birthplace: Jelling, Denmark
Died: 0986 AD
Famous As: Racing driver
Birthdate: October 5, 1992
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Roskilde, Denmark
Famous As: Model
Birthdate: March 26, 1992
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Hillerød, Denmark
Nina Agdal is a Danish model best known for appearing alongside Lily Aldridge and Chrissy Teigen on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue's 50th-anniversary cover in 2014. Although Agdal had no modeling experience, she was signed by Elite Models Copenhagen, which kickstarted her career. She then went on to model for brands like Victoria's Secret, Billabong, and Adore Me.
Famous As: King of Denmark
Birthdate: April 17, 0963
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Denmark
Died: February 10, 1014
Famous As: Writer
Birthdate: April 17, 1885
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Rungsted, Denmark
Died: September 7, 1962
Danish author Karen Blixen is best known for her memoir Out of Africa, in which she shared her experiences of living in Kenya for a few years. She was popular across Europe and wrote under several pen names. She was awarded the Danish Holberg Medal in 1949. She was shortlisted several times for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Famous As: Lead Vocalist and Lyricist for Both 'Mercyful Fate' and 'King Diamond'
Birthdate: June 14, 1956
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Hvidovre, Denmark
Kim Petersen AKA King Diamond is as popular for his creepy Gothic face-painted look as he is for his heavy metal tracks. The Danish singer, who performs as part of the bands Mercyful Fate and King Diamond, claims he has had paranormal experiences and also follows Satanism and the occult.
Famous As: King of Denmark (1912-1947)
Birthdate: September 26, 1870
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Charlottenlund, Denmark
Died: April 20, 1947
Christian X was the first Danish royal to complete high school, although he took up military education after this, following the royal tradition. He showed his resistance to Germans when he went on horse rides regularly during the German occupation. He later became an invalid after falling from his horse.
Famous As: Footballer
Birthdate: March 26, 1989
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Horsens
Famous As: Badminton player
Birthdate: January 4, 1994
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Odense, Denmark
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: May 6, 1964
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Gladsaxe, Copenhagen, Denmark
Lars Mikkelsen is a Danish actor best known for playing the Russian president Viktor Petrov in the American series House of Cards on Netflix. As a young man, he began to study biology at the University of Copenhagen but quit midway to pursue a career in entertainment. He is the recipient of many awards, including an International Emmy Award.
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: May 20, 1994
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Slagelse, Denmark
Alex Høgh Andersen is a Danish actor, photographer, and model. He is best known for his portrayal of Ivar the Boneless in the popular television series Vikings. A multi-talented personality, Alex Høgh Andersen spends his time dancing, singing, fencing, and learning stunts when he is not acting.
Famous As: Singer-Songwriter
Birthdate: September 18, 1988
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Freetown Christiania, Denmark
Lukas Forchhammer is a Danish singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and former actor. He is credited with forming the popular Danish band Lukas Graham, where he serves as a multi-instrumentalist and lead singer. He formed the band along with his friends from high school. As a child, Lukas had appeared in the first three of the famous Krummerne film series.
Famous As: Football player Striker
Birthdate: June 15, 1994
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: March 4, 1986
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Denmark
Amanda Collin is a Danish actress best known for playing “Mother” in the HBO Max series Raised by Wolves. As part of the Mungo Park Theatre ensemble, she has acted in many popular plays, including Hamlet. She received both the Robert Award and the Bodil Award for Best Actress for her leading role in the film A Horrible Woman.
Famous As: Comedian
Birthdate: January 3, 1909
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Died: December 23, 2000
Victor Borge was a Danish-American pianist, conductor, and comedian. He is best remembered for blending comedy and music for which he achieved popularity across Europe and the United States. Recipient of several prestigious awards, Borge received badges of chivalric orders from countries like Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. In 1999, he received the Kennedy Center Honors.
Famous As: Danish footballer
Birthdate: October 6, 1997
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Silkeborg
Famous As: Danish footballer
Birthdate: April 10, 1996
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Lillerød, Denmark
Famous As: King
Birthdate: April 8, 1818
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Gottorf Castle, Schleswig, Germany
Died: January 29, 1906
Christian IX of Denmark was King of Denmark from 1863 to 1906, having claimed the throne following the death of King Frederick VII. During his early reign, the Danish saw defeat in the Second Schleswig War and lost several duchies. Recovering from a tumultuous start, he reigned over his nation for several years and was respected by his people.
Famous As: Physicist
Birthdate: August 14, 1777
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Rudkøbing
Died: March 9, 1851
Hans Christian Ørsted was a Danish chemist and physicist. He was the first person to discover that electric currents can be used to create magnetic fields. His discovery was the first relationship found between magnetism and electricity. Oersted, the unit of the auxiliary magnetic field H, is named in his honor.