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Often described as a complete football player, Kevin De Bruyne is also widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation. Over the years, he has had a major impact on the Manchester City Football Club, helping his team win several games. He is also a key player for the Belgian national football team.
British road and track cyclist Bradley Wiggins scripted history by becoming the first British racer to win the Tour de France, in 2012. Though born to Australian track cyclist Gary Wiggins, he was initially a fan of football but turned to cycling after watching the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Charles V served as the Holy Roman Emperor, King of Italy, and King of Germany from 1519 to 1556. From 1516 to 1556, he ruled as the King of Spain. His personal union of the American and European territories was the first collection of kingdoms that were described the empire on which the Sun never sets.
John of Gaunt was an English prince, statesman, and military leader. An influential figure, John of Gaunt is credited with founding the royal House of Lancaster, which would later produce men to ascend the royal throne. Early in his career, John spent considerable time in Spain participating in the Hundred Years' War.
Charlotte de Witte is a Belgian record producer and DJ best known for her acid techno music and dark brand of minimal techno. She is credited with founding the label KNTXT. Over the years, Charlotte de Witte has won a couple of awards, such as the International Dance Music Awards and DJ Award.
Belgian mathematician and astronomer Adolphe Quetelet was the first to introduce the use of statistics and probability theory in social sciences. He also pioneered anthropometry and introduced the BMI scale. He also conducted research on the measurement of the traits found in the average man.
Helmut Lotti is a Belgian singer-songwriter best known for his ability to perform in several languages and styles. Once an Elvis impersonator, Lotti crossed over into classical music during the 1990s before going on to produce hit songs in Latino, African, and Jewish music. Helmut Lotti has many multi-platinum albums under his belt.
Belgian footballer Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe was just 5 years of age when he joined the youth team of Gent. He later began his senior career with Anderlecht, winning the 2006 Belgian Super Cup with them. He also won the 2016-17 Ekstraklasa with Legia Warsaw and the 2012-22 Belgian Cup with Gent.
Belgian cyclist Bjorg Lambrecht was not just a national junior champion but also made it to the 2018 Vuelta a España starlist. The Lotto–Soudal member was just 22 when he died of internal hemorrhage after crashing into a concrete culvert during the 3rd stage of the 2019 Tour de Pologne.
Retired Belgian cyclist Walter Godefroot, who was a master of classic cycle races, was not just a national champion but had also won the Tour of Flanders and Bordeaux–Paris twice. He also recorded several Tour de France achievements. The Bulldog of Flanders later managed teams such as Astana.
Wouter Weylandt was a Belgian cyclist who was part of two professional teams, namely Quick-Step–Davitamon and Leopard Trek. He won a couple of races before dying in a crash while competing in the third stage of the Giro d'Italia in 2011. He was 26 years old at the time of his death.
One of the most popular 15th-century Flemish painters, Hugo van der Goes belonged to the Early Netherlandish and Northern Renaissance schools. Remembered for his iconic pieces such as Portinari Triptych, Fall and Redemption of Man, and Monforte Altarpiece, he once tried killing himself due to depression.
Trixie Whitley is a Belgian American musician and multi-instrumentalist. The daughter of popular singer-songwriter Chris Whitley, Trixie started her career by playing alongside her father. Over the years, Trixie Whitley has released many albums such as Porta Bohemica, which received an IMPALA's European Independent Album of the Year nomination in 2016.
Belgian footballer Benito Raman was just 4 years of age when he began his youth career with Cercle Melle. The talented forward later began his senior career with Gent and had successful stints at both Gent and Fortuna Düsseldorf, before switching to Anderlecht.
Théo Van Rysselberghe was a Belgian painter who played an important role in the European art scene of the late 19th century and early 20th century. Widely regarded as one of the finest neo-impressionist painters of all time, Théo Van Rysselberghe was made Commander of the Order of Leopold in 1919.
Jacob van Artevelde was a Flemish political leader and statesman. He is credited with promoting trade and industry which flourished in Ghent under his semi-dictatorial rule. Today, a statue of Jacob van Artevelde stands tall in Ghent.
Alexander Agricola was a Netherlandish composer who lived during the Renaissance. A renowned composer during the early 1500s, Agricola is remembered for his versatility as he could write different forms of music like motets, masses, and motet-chansons. Alexander Agricola is also remembered for creating music in a highly distinctive style.
Suzanne Lilar was a Flemish Belgian novelist, essayist, and playwright who wrote in French. The recipient of several literary awards, Lilar is perhaps best remembered for her essays which include topics like feminism and sexuality. From 1952 to 1992, Suzanne Lilar was one of the most important members of the Royal Academy of French Language and Literature.
Nobel Prize-winning physiologist Corneille Heymans is best remembered for his research on how blood oxygen content is regulated. The son of a pharmacology professor, he began his research with his father. His experiment revealed the function of pressoreceptors and the mechanism of breathing through the medulla.
Gerard Mortier was a Belgian opera director and the founding director of an arts festival named Ruhrtriennale in Germany. A respected figure in the theatre and opera scene of Belgium, Gerard Mortier was posthumously honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 International Opera Awards. He was also bestowed with many other posthumous awards like the Goethe Medal.
Jan van Hembyse was a Flemish politician best remembered for his work alongside François van Ryhove that brought about the Calvinist Republic of Ghent. Hembyse went on to serve as the leader of the Calvinist Republic of Ghent between 1577 and 1584 during the Eighty Years' War and the Dutch Revolt.
