Famous Burmese People

Aung San Suu Kyi is a Burmese politician and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She is credited with co-founding the National League for Democracy, which eventually ended the rule of Myanmar's military junta. In 1999, she was named one of the Children of Gandhi by Time magazine for enduring almost 15 years of house arrest for the greater good of Myanmar.

Burmese diplomat U Thant made history by becoming the first non-Scandinavian to be named the UN secretary-general. Later in life, he tried applying Buddhist principles such as detachment to solve major international conflicts. Following his death in New York, his burial in Burma became a source of riots.

Annabella Lwin is an English-Burmese record producer and singer-songwriter. She is known for her association with the new wave band Bow Wow Wow, where she performs as the lead singer. Also known for her humanitarian efforts, Lwin was a featured vocalist during a fundraising concert, which was intended to help the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

Former Burmese president Htin Kyaw had an elite education, which took him to London, Tokyo, and Massachusetts. A close aide of Aung San Suu Kyi, Kyaw became the president in 2016 following the end of Myanmar’s military leadership, as Suu Kyi was barred from holding the post.

U Nu was a Burmese nationalist politician and statesman. He is best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of Burma on three occasions between 1948 and 1962. U Nu is also remembered for his literary works; he wrote several plays and novels during his lifetime.

Khin Kyi was a Burmese diplomat and politician. She is best remembered for her marriage to Aung San, a prominent politician, revolutionary, and independence activist. Khin Kyi is also remembered for her service as the Minister of Social Welfare from 1953 to 1960. She also served as the Burmese Ambassador to India from 1960 to 1967.

Ba Maw was a Burmese political leader and lawyer. He achieved prominence as a lawyer in 1931, when he defended Saya San. He then focused on his political career and went on to serve as the Head of State of Burma from 1 August 1943 to 27 March 1945.

Khun Sa was an ethnic Chinese drug lord who was involved in massive opium smuggling operations. Nicknamed the Opium King, Khun Sa was the dominant opium warlord in the Golden Triangle from 1976 to 1996. He was played by Ric Young in the 2007 American biographical crime film American Gangster. 

Thein Sein is a Burmese politician who served as the prime minister of Myanmar from 2007 to 2011. From 2011 to 2016, Sein served as Myanmar's president. Widely regarded as a reformist leader, Sein's government took up a series of political reforms, such as halting the construction of the Myitsone Dam and releasing many political prisoners.

Maha Bandula was a military leader best remembered for his association with the Royal Burmese Armed Forces, where he served as the  commander-in-chief from 1821 until his demise in 1825. He played an important role in the First Anglo-Burmese War. Maha Bandula is widely regarded as a national hero for his resistance against the British.

Sein Lwin was a Burmese politician who served as the President of Burma from 27 July to 12 August 1988. Sein Lwin, who also served as the military general in the Burmese Army, earned the nickname Butcher of Rangoon for brutally suppressing student-led protests in Rangoon. The students were massacred for protesting against the military regime of General Ne Win.

Than Shwe is a Burmese politician best known for his service as the head of state of Myanmar between 1992 and 2011. During this period, Than Shwe held important positions of power including Supreme Commander of Myanmar Defense Services and Prime Minister of Myanmar.

Maung Maung was a Burmese politician, lawyer, writer, and historian. He is best remembered for his service as the President of Burma from 19 August 1988 to 17 September 1990. Maung Maung also worked as a lecturer in Rangoon University and contributed to the Burma Khit Newspaper as an editor.