Indonesian
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Indonesia, one of the most populous countries in the world, is home to about 300 ethnic groups, each with cultural identities developed over centuries, and influenced by Indian, Arabic, Chinese, and European sources. Especially famous for its diverse array of musical genres, Indonesia has given birth to several famous musicians and singers who enjoy immense popularity not only in their own country, but also in neighboring countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. The nation boasts of various dance traditions such as Javanese, Sundanese, Minangkabau, Balinese, Malays, and Acehnese, and of late the Indonesians are also incorporating elements of western ballet and modern dance into their repertoire. The nation’s film industry thrived in the 20th century with figures like Deddy Mizwar, Eva Arnaz, Meriam Bellina, and Rano Karno taking Indonesian cinema to new heights. In the contemporary era television is another one of those fields where Indonesians have made a name for themselves. Indonesian literature and poetry also flourished in the 20th century. Chairil Anwar was considered the greatest literary figure of Indonesia for being among those writers who pioneered in changing the traditional Indonesian literature and modifying it following the nation’s independence. This section provides you information about the life and works of famous Indonesians.
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1
Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo
(Badminton player)
Birthdate: August 2, 1995
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia
Birthdate: June 21, 1961
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Surakarta
Joko Widodo, the current president of Indonesia, has previously been the mayor of Surakarta and the governor of Jakarta. He initially owned a furniture business and later joined the Democratic Party of Struggle. He introduced universal healthcare as Jakarta’s governor. Fortune named him one of "The World's 50 Greatest Leaders."
3
Rich Brian(Known for His Viral Debut Single "Dat $tick")
Birthdate: September 3, 1999
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
Indonesian rapper/comedian Brian Imanuel, also known as Rich Brian or Rich Chigga, initially gained popularity with his skits on Vine. He has a self-titled YouTube channel. His gold-certified debut song, Dat $tick, made it to the American R&B charts. His music style is inspired by artists such as Young Thug.
Birthdate: June 6, 1901
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Surabaya, Indonesia
Died: June 21, 1970
Sukarno was an Indonesian politician who played a major role in the Indonesian struggle for independence. An important leader of the country's nationalist movement, Sukarno declared Indonesian independence from the Dutch Empire and became Indonesia's first president in 1945. He was successful in resisting Dutch re-colonization efforts and went on to serve as the Indonesian president until 1967.
Birthdate: January 24, 1999
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
6
Anggun
(Singer-songwriter)
Birthdate: April 29, 1974
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
7
Joe Taslim(Actor and Martial Artist Known for His Films: ‘The Raid’, ‘Fast & Furious 6’ and ‘Mortal Kombat’)
Birthdate: June 23, 1981
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Palembang, Indonesia
Indonesian actor and martial art expert Joe Taslim is best known for his appearances in the films The Raid: Redemption and Fast and Furious 6. He was previously part of the Indonesian national judo team and had won several championships. He has also played Li Yong in the series Warrior.
8
Yayan Ruhian
(Martial artist)
Birthdate: October 19, 1968
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Tasikmalaya, Indonesia
9
B. J. Habibie
(Third President of Indonesia)
Birthdate: June 25, 1936
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Parepare, Indonesia
Died: September 11, 2019
B. J. Habibie was an Indonesian politician best remembered for his service as the President of Indonesia from 21 May 1998 to 20 October 1999. An important political figure, Habibie also served as the Vice President of Indonesia in 1998. From 1978 to 1998, he served as the Minister of Research and Technology.
10
Agnez Mo(Most Awarded Artist in The History of Indonesia With Over 190 Awards)
Birthdate: July 1, 1986
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
Agnez Mo is an Indonesian actress, singer-songwriter, dancer, and performer. With more than 190 awards under her belt, Agnez Mo is the most decorated artist in Indonesian history. Her impressive award list includes 18 AMI Awards, five Nickelodeon Indonesia Kids’ Choice Awards, eight Panasonic Awards, two Mnet Asian Music Awards, and four MTV Indonesia Awards.
Birthdate: September 7, 1940
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Jombang Regency
Died: December 30, 2009
Grandson of the founder of the Nahdatul Ulama, Abdurrahman Wahid shunned the orthodox education at his university in Cairo and immersed himself in American movies, football, and Marxism. The former Indonesian president was a Magsaysay Award winner and is remembered for promoting peace, education, and social development.
12
Candace Nelson(Indonesian Pastry Chef and Judge on the TV Series ‘Cupcake Wars’ and ‘Sugar Rush’)
Birthdate: May 8, 1974
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Indonesia
Candace Nelson is a pastry chef and TV personality. She is credited with co-founding Sprinkles Cupcakes, one of the first cupcake bakeries in the world. Sprinkles currently has 24 locations across the USA and celebrities like Serena Williams, Tom Cruise, and Oprah Winfrey have publicly appreciated Sprinkles Cupcakes. Nelson also appears as a judge on TV shows like Cupcake Wars.
13
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting
(Badminton player)
Birthdate: October 20, 1996
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Cimahi, West Java, Indonesia
14
Chelsea Islan
(Actress, Model)
Birthdate: June 2, 1995
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States
15
Hendra Setiawan
(Badminton player)
Birthdate: August 25, 1984
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Pemalang, Central Java, Indonesia
16
Susi Susanti
(Badminton player)
Birthdate: February 11, 1971
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Tasikmalaya, Indonesia
17
Luna Maya
(Model, Actress)
Birthdate: August 26, 1983
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
18
Stephanie Poetri
(pop singer who is known for her popular singles "I Love you 3000" and "Appreciate")
Birthdate: May 20, 2000
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
19
Maudy Ayunda
(Singer-Songwriter)
Birthdate: December 19, 1994
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
Birthdate: April 23, 1983
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
Birthdate: February 6, 1940
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Tokyo
22
Nazril Irham
(Singer-songwriter)
Birthdate: September 16, 1981
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Birthdate: August 17, 1993
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Quakenbruck, Germany
24
Gajah Mada
(Powerful Military Leader of the Javanese Empire of Majapahit During the 14th Century)
Birthdate: 1290 AD
Birthplace: Unknown
Died: 1364 AD
Gajah Mada was a military leader best remembered for his service as the Mahapatih of the Majapahit Empire from 1331 to 1364. He is said to have played an important role in bringing the empire to the peak of its glory. Today, Gajah Mada is widely regarded as a national hero and a symbol of patriotism in Indonesia.
25
Greysia Polii
(Badminton player)
Birthdate: August 11, 1987
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
26
Irfan Bachdim
(Footballer winger or attacking midfielder)
Birthdate: August 11, 1988
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Amsterdam, Netherlands
27
Marques Bolden
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: April 17, 1998
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Dallas, Texas, United States
28
Mohammad Ahsan
(Badminton player)
Birthdate: September 7, 1987
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia
29
Liliyana Natsir
(Badminton player)
Birthdate: September 9, 1985
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Birthdate: December 28, 1999
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
31
Nike Ardilla
(Singer, Actress)
Birthdate: December 27, 1975
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Bandung, Indonesia
Died: March 19, 1995
32
Maya Soetoro-Ng(Maternal Half-Sister of Former American President Barack Obama)
Birthdate: August 15, 1970
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
Maya Soetoro-Ng is the maternal half-sister of former American President Barack Obama. She is currently working as a consultant for the Obama Foundation and is credited with working towards the development of the Asia-Pacific Leaders Program. She is also credited with co-founding nonprofit organizations, such as Institute for Climate and Peace and The Peace Studio.
Birthdate: June 21, 2003
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Medan, Indonesia
34
Pramoedya Ananta Toer
(Indonesian Author Who Was Branded a Communist and Imprisoned for Most of His Career)
Birthdate: February 6, 1925
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Blora Regency, Indonesia
Died: April 30, 2006
Indonesian author Pramoedya Ananta Toer started his career as a typist in his teens. He penned his first novel in a Dutch prison camp, after being imprisoned for his revolutionary activities. Best known for his work the Buru Quartet, he later became a poster child for freedom of expression and human rights.
35
Hendrawan
(Indonesian Badminton Coach and Former Player)
Birthdate: June 27, 1972
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Malang, East Java, Indonesia
Birthdate: October 13, 1942
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Bogor, Indonesia
Died: October 15, 2008
37
Joey Alexander
(Jazz musician)
Birthdate: June 25, 2003
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
38
Jessica Iskandar
(Actress)
Birthdate: January 29, 1988
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
39
Abdul Haris Nasution
(Indonesian Military Leader Who Participated in the Indonesian National Revolution)
Birthdate: December 3, 1918
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kotanopan, Indonesia
Died: September 6, 2000
Legendary Indonesian military leader Abdul Haris Nasution was a prominent figure in the Indonesian National Revolution. He later served as Indonesia’s defense minister. He supported the rise of President Suharto, was named the Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly, and later became a rival of Suharto.
40
Susi Pudjiastuti
(Indonesian Entrepreneur and Politician)
Birthdate: January 15, 1965
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Pangandaran, West Java, Indonesia
Susi Pudjiastuti is an Indonesian entrepreneur and politician. She is best known for her service as the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia from 2014 to 2019. In 2017, Pudjiastuti was named in the BBC 100 Women list. Susi Pudjiastuti is also the recipient of other prestigious awards such as Metro Eagle Award and Purwa Citra Priangan Award.
41
Sophia Latjuba
(Actress, Singer)
Birthdate: August 8, 1970
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: West Berlin, Germany
Birthdate: February 12, 1983
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
43
Lester Prosper
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: September 21, 1988
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Roseau, Dominica
44
Nikita Mirzani
(Actress, Model)
Birthdate: March 17, 1986
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
45
Bunga Citra Lestari
(Singer, Actress)
Birthdate: March 22, 1983
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
Birthdate: September 14, 1979
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Banjarnegara, Indonesia
47
Jonatan Christie
(Badminton player)
Birthdate: September 15, 1997
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
Birthdate: April 16, 1990
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
49
Dylan Sahara
(Actress, Presenter)
Birthdate: December 23, 1992
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Ponorogo, East Java, Indonesia
Died: December 22, 2018
Birthdate: August 11, 1993
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: California, United States