Famous People Born In Ghent

Vote for Your Favourite People Born In Ghent

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

 1 
Kevin De Bruyne
(Belgian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Midfielder)
Kevin De Bruyne
50
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 28, 1991
Sun Sign: Cancer

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.

 2 
Bradley Wiggins
(British Former Professional Road and Track Racing Cyclist)
Bradley Wiggins
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 28, 1980
Sun Sign: Taurus

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.  

 3 
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
(Former Holy Roman Emperor)
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
12
Birthdate: February 24, 1500
Sun Sign: Pisces
Died: September 21, 1558

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.

 4 
John of Gaunt
(British Royal Prince, Military Leader and Duke of Lancaster)
John of Gaunt
2
Birthdate: March 6, 1340
Sun Sign: Pisces
Died: February 3, 1399

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.

 5 
Charlotte de Witte
(Disc jockey)
Charlotte de Witte
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: July 21, 1992
Sun Sign: Cancer

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.

 6 
Victor Horta
(Belgian Architect and Designer)
Victor Horta
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 6, 1861
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died: September 8, 1947
 7 
Xavier Henry
(Basketball player)
Xavier Henry
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 15, 1991
Sun Sign: Pisces
 8 
Adolphe Quetelet
(Belgian Astronomer and Mathematician Who Introduced Statistics in Social Sciences)
Adolphe Quetelet
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: February 22, 1796
Sun Sign: Pisces
Died: February 17, 1874

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.

 9 
Helmut Lotti
(Belgian Tenor and Singer-Songwriter)
Helmut Lotti
0
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: October 22, 1969
Sun Sign: Libra

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.

 10 
Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe
(Belgian Football Midfielder)
Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 21, 1989
Sun Sign: Pisces

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.

 11 
Jacques Rogge
(8th President of the International Olympic Committee)
Jacques Rogge
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 2, 1942
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: August 29, 2021
A professional orthopaedic surgeon, Jacques Rogge gained fame as an able sports administrator and as the president of the International Olympic Committee. A multi-talented athlete, he had been a Belgian rugby champion 16 times. He had also been a yachting world champion and a 3-time Olympian in sailing.
 12 
Bjorg Lambrecht
(Belgian Cyclist Who Died in an Accident during the 2019 'Tour de Pologne')
Bjorg Lambrecht
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 2, 1997
Sun Sign: Aries
Died: August 5, 2019

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.

 13 
Maurice Maeterlinck
(Playwright)
Maurice Maeterlinck
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: August 29, 1862
Sun Sign: Virgo
Died: May 6, 1949
 14 
Walter Godefroot
(Retired Belgian Cyclist Who Was a Classic Cycle Racing Specialist)
Walter Godefroot
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 2, 1943
Sun Sign: Cancer

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.

 15 
Wouter Weylandt
(Belgian Professional Cyclist)
Wouter Weylandt
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 27, 1984
Sun Sign: Libra
Died: May 9, 2011

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.

 16 
Jolien DHoore
(Belgian Former Track and Road Cyclist)
Jolien DHoore
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 14, 1990
Sun Sign: Pisces
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 17 
Pierre Louÿs
(Poet)
Pierre Louÿs
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 10, 1870
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Died: June 6, 1925
 18 
Stefaan Engels
(Belgian Long-Distance Runner)
Stefaan Engels
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 7, 1961
Sun Sign: Aries
 19 
Hugo van der Goes
(Painter)
Hugo van der Goes
0
Birthdate: 1440 AD
Died: 1482 AD

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.

 20 
Trixie Whitley
(American Multi-Instrumentalist and Rock Singer Known for Being a Member of the Collaborative Group 'Black Dub')
Trixie Whitley
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: June 24, 1987
Sun Sign: Cancer

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.

 21 
Benito Raman
(Belgian Football Forward)
Benito Raman
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 7, 1994
Sun Sign: Scorpio

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.

 22 
George Sarton
(Chemist)
George Sarton
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: August 31, 1884
Sun Sign: Virgo
Died: March 22, 1956
 23 
Théo Van Rysselberghe
(Belgian Neo-Impressionist Painter)
Théo Van Rysselberghe
0
Birthdate: November 23, 1862
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Died: December 13, 1926

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.

 24 
Jacob van Artevelde
(Flemish Statesman and Political Leader)
Jacob van Artevelde
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 1290 AD
Died: July 24, 1345

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.

 25 
Jean Ray
(Author)
Jean Ray
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: July 8, 1887
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died: September 17, 1964
 26 
Alexander Agricola
(Franco-Flemish Composer)
Alexander Agricola
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: 1446 AD
Died: August 15, 1506

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.

 27 
Henry of Ghent
(Philosopher)
Henry of Ghent
0
Birthdate: 1217 AD
Died: June 29, 1293
 28 
Suzanne Lilar
(Flemish Belgian Novelist, Essayist, and Playwright)
Suzanne Lilar
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: May 21, 1901
Sun Sign: Gemini
Died: December 11, 1992

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.

 29 
Corneille Heymans
(Belgian Physiologist Who Won the 1938 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine)
Corneille Heymans
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: March 28, 1892
Sun Sign: Aries
Died: July 18, 1968

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.

 30 
Gerard Mortier
(Belgian Opera Director and Administrator)
Gerard Mortier
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: November 25, 1943
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Died: March 8, 2014

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.

 31 
Charles Van Lerberghe
(Poet)
Charles Van Lerberghe
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: October 21, 1861
Sun Sign: Libra
Died: October 26, 1907
 32 
Karel van de Woestijne
(Writer)
Karel van de Woestijne
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 10, 1878
Sun Sign: Pisces
Died: August 24, 1929
 33 
Pedro de Gante
(Missionary)
Pedro de Gante
0
Birthdate: 1480 AD
Died: April 19, 1572
 34 
Charles John Seghers
(Clergyman)
Charles John Seghers
0
Birthdate: December 26, 1839
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died: November 28, 1886
 35 
Mermaid Celine
(Tiktok Star Credited as the First Professional Mermaid)
Mermaid Celine
0
Birthdate: April 12, 1989
Sun Sign: Aries
 36 
Daniel Heinsius
(Scholar)
Daniel Heinsius
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: June 9, 1580
Sun Sign: Gemini
Died: February 25, 1655
 37 
Asmrbylisa
(Belgian ASMR YouTube Star)
Asmrbylisa
0
Listed In: YouTubers
Birthdate: June 19, 2001
Sun Sign: Gemini
 38 
Jan van Hembyse
(Politician)
Jan van Hembyse
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: July 9, 1513
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died: August 8, 1584

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.