Ethiopian

Ethiopia, a land that boasts of a vibrant culture and rich traditions, has produced many famous personalities in the fields of music, arts, literature, and science. Especially renowned for its diversity in music, each of the country's ethnic groups is associated with unique sounds ranging from traditional folk music to Christian and secular music. Ethiopian songwriter Zelal Mekuria, Ethio-jazz musician Mulatu Astatke and singer Alemayehu Eshete have played major roles in promoting Ethiopian music in the modern age. One of the most prominent Ethiopian singers in the contemporary world is Gigi. Hardy, well-built and athletic, Ethiopians are also famous for displaying their physical prowess in sports. The nation is best known internationally for its middle-distance and long-distance runners like Haile Gebreselassie (World champion and Olympic champion), and multi-gold medalists Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba. A multilingual nation with around 80 ethnolinguistic groups, Ethiopia has produced prominent writers like Abe Gubegna, Sebhat Guèbrè-Egziabhér, and Getatchew Haile who have published works in various languages. The nation is also the birth place of Loret Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin, an internationally respected poet, playwright, essayist, and art director. This section provides you information about the life and works of famous Ethiopians.
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 1 
Abebe Bikila
(First African to Win Olympic Gold Medal and the First Athlete to Win Two Olympic Marathons Back-to-Back)
Abebe Bikila
14
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 7, 1932
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Shewa, Ethiopia
Died: October 25, 1973
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 2 
Haile Gebrselassie
(Former Ethiopian Long-Distance Track Athlete and Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist)
Haile Gebrselassie
7
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 18, 1973
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Assela, Ethiopia
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 3 
Haile Selassie
(Former Emperor of Ethiopia (1930 - 1936, 1941 - 1974))
Haile Selassie
26
Birthdate: July 23, 1892
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Ejersa Goro, Ethiopia
Died: August 27, 1975
Height: 5'2" (157 cm)
 4 
Abiy Ahmed
(Prime Minister of Ethiopia)
Abiy Ahmed
40
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: August 15, 1976
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Beshasha, Ethiopia
 5 
Marcus Samuelsson
(Celebrity Chef and Restaurateur)
Marcus Samuelsson
11
Listed In: Food Experts
Birthdate: January 25, 1971
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 6 
Menelik II
(Emperor of Ethiopia from 1889 to 1913)
Menelik II
8
Birthdate: August 17, 1844
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Angolalla Tera
Died: December 12, 1913
 7 
Kenenisa Bekele
(Ethiopian Long-Distance Runner and 3-Time Olympic Gold Medalist)
Kenenisa Bekele
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 13, 1982
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Bekoji, Ethiopia
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 8 
Tewodros II of Ethiopia
(Emperor of Ethiopia from 1855 to 1868)
Tewodros II of Ethiopia
2
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 1818 AD
Birthplace: Qwara, Dembiya
Died: April 13, 1868
 9 
Liya Kebede
(Ethiopian Model & Maternal Health Advocate Who Served as the WHO's Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health)
Liya Kebede
8
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: March 1, 1978
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
 10 
Sahle-Work Zewde
(The First Woman to Become the President of Ethiopia)
Sahle-Work Zewde
10
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 21, 1950
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
 11 
Hachalu Hundessa
(Singer)
Hachalu Hundessa
2
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: 1986 AD
Birthplace: Ambo, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
Died: June 29, 2020
 12 
LoLa Monroe
(Rapper)
LoLa Monroe
7
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: October 25, 1986
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
 13 
Zewditu
(Empress of Ethiopia (1916 - 1930))
Zewditu
6
Birthdate: April 28, 1876
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Werreyimenu, Wollo
Died: April 2, 1930
 14 
Jawar Mohammed
(Founder of Oromia Media Network)
Jawar Mohammed
4
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: May 12, 1986
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Oromia, Ethiopia
 15 
Tirunesh Dibaba
(The Youngest Female World Champion in Long-Distance Track Event)
Tirunesh Dibaba
5
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 1, 1985
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Bekoji, Ethiopia
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 16 
Genzebe Dibaba
(Ethiopian Middle-and-Long-Distance Runner)
Genzebe Dibaba
7
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 8, 1991
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Bekoji, Ethiopia
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 17 
Queen of Sheba
(Biblical figure)
Queen of Sheba
5
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthplace: Ethiopia
 18 
Derartu Tulu
(Ethiopian Retired Long-Distance Runner)
Derartu Tulu
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 21, 1972
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Bekoji, Ethiopia
Height: 5'1" (155 cm)
 19 
Teddy Afro
(Singer)
Teddy Afro
4
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: July 14, 1976
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
 20 
Mulatu Astatke
(Ethiopian Musician and Arranger considered as the father of Ethio-jazz)
Mulatu Astatke
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: December 19, 1943
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Jimma, Ethiopia
 21 
Taytu Betul
(Empress of Ethiopia (1889 - 1913))
Taytu Betul
6
Birthdate: August 17, 1851
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Oromia, Ethiopian Empire
Died: February 11, 1918
 22 
Menen Asfaw
(Empress consort of Ethiopia (1930 - 1962))
Menen Asfaw
2
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: April 3, 1891
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Wollo, Ethiopian Empire
Died: February 15, 1962
 23 
Makonnen Wolde Mikael
(Shum of Harar (1887 - 1906) and a Noted General during the First Italo-Ethiopian War)
Makonnen Wolde Mikael
2
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: May 8, 1852
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Sheno, Shewa, Ethiopia
Died: March 21, 1906
 24 
Almaz Ayana
(Two-Time World Champion Ethiopian Long-Distance Runner Who Is Also an Olympic Gold Medalist)
Almaz Ayana
6
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 21, 1991
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Benishangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 25 
Mengistu Haile Mariam
(Former President of Ethiopia (1987 - 1991))
Mengistu Haile Mariam
4
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: May 21, 1937
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Ethiopia
 26 
Aster Aweke
(Singer)
Aster Aweke
1
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: 1958 AD
Birthplace: Gondar, Ethiopia
 27 
Moses the Black
(Monk)
Moses the Black
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 0330 AD
Birthplace: Ethiopia
 28 
Abraha
(Aksumite Army General and King of Himyar)
Abraha
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthplace: Kingdom of Aksum, Ethiopia
Died: 0570 AD
 29 
Meles Zenawi
(Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia (1995 - 2012))
Meles Zenawi
6
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: May 8, 1955
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Adwa
Died: August 20, 2012
 30 
Letesenbet Gidey
(Ethiopian Long-Distance Runner)
Letesenbet Gidey
5
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 20, 1998
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Endameskel, Tigray Region, Ethiopia
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 31 
Gigi
(Singer)
Gigi
1
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: 1974 AD
Birthplace: Ethiopia
 32 
Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou
(Nun)
Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: December 12, 1923
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Ethiopia
 33 
Miruts Yifter
(Ethiopian Long-Distance Runner)
Miruts Yifter
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 15, 1944
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Adigrat, Ethiopia
Died: December 23, 2016
 34 
Meseret Defar
(Ethiopian Long-Distance Runner and Two-Time Olympic Gold Medallist)
Meseret Defar
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 19, 1983
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Adis Abeba, Ethiopia
Height: 5'1" (155 cm)
 35 
Hailemariam Desalegn
(Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia)
Hailemariam Desalegn
2
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: July 19, 1965
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Boloso Sore
 36 
Zera Yacob Amha Selassie
(Prince)
Zera Yacob Amha Selassie
5
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: August 17, 1953
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
 37 
Yohannes IV
(Emperor of Ethiopia (1871 - 1889))
Yohannes IV
22
Birthdate: July 11, 1837
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: May Beha, Tembien, Ethiopia
Died: March 10, 1889
 38 
Prince Alemayehu
(Son of Emperor Tewodros II and Empress Tiruwork Wube of Ethiopia)
Prince Alemayehu
2
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: April 23, 1861
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Magdala, Ethiopia
Died: November 14, 1879
 39 
Selemon Barega
(Ethiopian Long-Distance Runner ana Olympic Gold Medalist)
Selemon Barega
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 20, 2000
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Gurage, Ethiopia
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 40 
Rediet Abebe
(Computer scientist)
Rediet Abebe
2
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: 1991 AD
Birthplace: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
 41 
Prince Sahle Selassie
(Prince)
Prince Sahle Selassie
4
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: February 27, 1932
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Menelik Palace, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Died: April 24, 1962
 42 
Zinash Tayachew
(The First Lady of Ethiopia)
Zinash Tayachew
4
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 13, 1978
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Gondar, Ethiopia
 43 
Lelisa Desisa
(World Champion Ethiopian Long-Distance Runner)
Lelisa Desisa
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 14, 1990
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Shewa, Oromia, Ethiopia
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 44 
Fasilides
(Emperor of Ethiopia (1632 - 1667))
Fasilides
0
Birthdate: 1603 AD
Birthplace: Shewa, Ethiopia
Died: October 18, 1667
 45 
Yomif Kejelcha
(Ethiopian Middle-and-Long-Distance Runner)
Yomif Kejelcha
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 1, 1997
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Oromia, Ethiopia
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 46 
Tilahun Gessesse
(Singer)
Tilahun Gessesse
2
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: September 27, 1940
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Died: April 19, 2009
 47 
Prince Makonnen
(Prince)
Prince Makonnen
3
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: October 16, 1924
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Died: May 13, 1957
 48 
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
(Director-General of the World Health Organization)
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
9
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: March 3, 1965
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Asmara, Eritrea
 49 
Mamo Wolde
(Ethiopian Long Distance Runner and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Mamo Wolde
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 12, 1932
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Ada'a, Ethiopia
Died: May 26, 2002
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 50 
Mahmoud Ahmed
(Singer)
Mahmoud Ahmed
0
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: May 8, 1941
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia