Famous Paraguayan People

Alfredo Stroessner was a Paraguayan Army officer who ruled over Paraguay as its dictator from 1954 to 1989. His 35-year-long rule is the longest in the history of modern South America. He was overthrown in 1989 in a military coup led by Andrés Rodríguez. Subsequently, he was forced into exile and spent his last 17 years in exile in Brazil.

Stefanie Küster is a German dancer and model. In the 2000s, Küster achieved popularity for her relationship with Dieter Bohlen, who is 25 years her senior. She then went on to appear in magazines like Playboy and also featured in several music videos.

Francisco Solano López was a Paraguayan politician who served as the president of Paraguay from 1862 to 1870. Before becoming a leader, López played an important role in the Platine Wars where he fought against Juan Manuel de Rosas, serving in the Paraguayan Army. A controversial figure, Solano López is sometimes held responsible for the outbreak of the Paraguayan War. 

Horacio Cartes is a Paraguayan politician and businessman. From 2013 to 2018, he served as the president of Paraguay. Apart from being an important member of the Colorado Party, Cartes is also an influential businessman. He owns the business conglomerate Grupo Cartes, which includes about two dozen businesses, including Paraguay's largest cigarette manufacturer Tabacalera del Este.

Initially a Roman Catholic bishop, Fernando Lugo later led Paraguay as its president. His election as the president ended the long reign of over 6 decades of the Colorado Party. He made headlines when he was dragged into a sex scandal, which proved he had fathered several illegitimate children.

Hernando Arias de Saavedra was a politician and soldier of criollo ancestry. He served as the governor of Governorate of the Río de la Plata on two occasions, becoming the first person to serve as governor of a New World's European colony after being born in the Americas. He also served as the Governorate of Paraguay from 1615 to 1617.

Former president of Paraguay Federico Franco is also a qualified surgeon who co-owns a hospital with his brothers. The Authentic Radical Liberal Party member was known for establishing economic stability in his country but was later blamed for corruption and accused of depleting the country of its resources.

The 1st president of Paraguay, Carlos Antonio López started his career as a lawyer. His tenure was marked by corruption, as he owned half the country’s lands. However, he encouraged European professionals to visit his country and engage in trade. He also abolished slavery and torture.

Military officer and politician Andrés Rodríguez served as 43rd President of Paraguay. He led the 1989 Paraguayan coup d'état against regime of dictator Alfredo Stroessner resulting in end of thirty-four year rule of Stroessner, and rise of Rodríguez as new President. Presidency of Rodríguez led to several reforms which abolished many draconian laws and paved way for liberalization of Paraguay.

Paraguayan politician Nicanor Duarte, presently a Senator for life, served as the 47th President of Paraguay from August 15, 2003 to August 15, 2008. He earlier held office as Minister of Education and Culture from 1993 to 1997 and as President of the ANR-Colorado Party from 2001 to 2004. He also served as Ambassador to Argentina from 2013 to 2016.

Juan Carlos Wasmosy of Colorado Party was the first freely elected president of Paraguay as also first civilian president of the country in thirty-nine years. He held office from August 15, 1993 to August 15, 1998. Wasmosy was convicted of defrauding the Paraguayan state in 2002 and sentenced to four-years in prison which was later reduced to bail and house-arrest.