Famous Peruvian Leaders

Túpac Amaru II  was the leader of a large Andean uprising against the Spanish in Peru. His wife was also a revolutionary and played a key role in the uprising. They were both captured, tortured, and put to death by the Spaniards. Following his death, he became known as a mythical figure in the Peruvian struggle for independence. 

Alberto Fujimori is a Peruvian politician who served as the President of Peru from 1990 to 2000. He is a controversial figure accused of several charges of human rights abuses and corruption. He has also been proclaimed guilty of murder, causing bodily harm, and kidnapping. In 2009, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

The daughter of former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori and politician Susana Higuchi, Keiko Fujimori is the current leader of the right-wing Peruvian party Popular Force. She has been a Member of Congress and the First Lady of Peru, too. She has been in an out of jail on charges of money laundering.

Former prime minister of Peru, Javier Pérez de Cuéllar had also been the country’s foreign relations minister and the Peruvian ambassador to many countries, such as France and Switzerland. He had also served the UN as its secretary-general. A former Club of Madrid member, he led the Union for Peru party.

Pedro Pablo Kuczynski is a Peruvian politician, economist, and public administrator. He is best known for his service as the President of Peru from 2016 to 2018. From 2005 to 2006, Kuczynski served as the Prime Minister of Peru. Pedro Pablo Kuczynski also served as the Minister of Economy and Finance on two occasions between 2001 and 2005.

Ollanta Humala is a Peruvian politician whose presidency, which lasted from 2011 to 2016, was marred by several corruption scandals. Originally regarded as a left-wing nationalist and socialist, Humala founded the Peruvian Nationalist Party. Despite leading the party to success, Ollanta Humala eventually lost his popularity and was arrested in 2017 on corruption charges.

Hilda Gadea was a Peruvian Communist leader, economist, and author. Best remembered as the first wife of popular Marxist revolutionary, Che Guevara, Hilda Gadea is credited with introducing Guevara to several Cuban rebels. She is also remembered for her memoir, My Life With Che. 

Susana Higuchi was a Peruvian engineer and politician. She is best remembered for her role as the First Lady of Peru from 28 July 1990 to 23 August 1994. Higuchi was stripped of her title as the First Lady in 1994, when she condemned her husband Alberto Fujimori as a tyrant. Susana Higuchi divorced Fujimori in 1996.

Alan García went down in history as the only member of the Peruvian Aprista Party to serve as the president of Peru. Nicknamed Peru’s JFK, he was also the youngest president of his country and served two terms. He committed suicide before he could be arrested for the Odebrecht scandal.

The Inca Empire’s 3rd Sapa Inca, Huayna Capac was the son of Topa Inca. Though he didn’t have to face any major battles initially, he grew up to be an efficient emperor who inspected the administration of all his empire’s regions. He was responsible for the improvement of roadways and built many temples too.

A prominent figure of Inca mythology, Manco Capac was apparently the founder of the Inca Empire, and thus, the first Sapa Inca, and its first governor. Said to be the son of Sun god Inti and Moon goddess Mama Quilla, he, according to legends, established the Inca capital Cuzco.

The 58th president of Peru, Juan Velasco Alvarado came to power after ousting former president Fernando Belaúnde in a coup d'état. He had previously been the commander-in-chief of the Peruvian army. He was removed by another coup and succeeded by Francisco Morales Bermúdez.

Former chief of Peru’s National Intelligence Service, Vladimiro Montesinos was later dragged into a bribery controversy. He was recorded bribing a congressman to make him join the pro-Fujimori camp. He was also accused of having received bribes to protect drug traffickers. He is a cousin of convicted terrorist Óscar Ramírez Durand.

Alejandro Toledo is a Peruvian politician best known for his service as the President of Peru from 28 July 2001 to 28 July 2006. Toledo, who also served as the President of a political party called Possible Peru, achieved international fame when he led the opposition against Alberto Fujimori, who served as the President of Peru from 1990 to 2000.

Huáscar reigned as the Sapa Inca or Emperor of the famed Inca Empire from 1527 to 1532. Huáscar lost his father Huayna Capac and his older brother Ninan Cuyochi to smallpox before ascending the throne of the Inca Empire. He was later defeated by his brother Atahualpa, who reigned as the last Inca Emperor.

Mercedes Aráoz is a Peruvian politician, professor, and economist. She is best known for her service as the Second Vice President of Peru from 2016 to 2020. She also served as the Prime Minister of Peru from 2017 to 2018. An important politician, Mercedes Aráoz also served as the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism from 2006 to 2009.

Miguel Grau Seminario was a Peruvian naval officer best remembered for his role in the Battle of Angamos, which was part of the War of the Pacific. Nicknamed Gentleman of the Seas, Miguel Grau Seminario is also remembered for his chivalrous and kind treatment of defeated enemies.

Verónika Mendoza is a Peruvian-French politician, educator, and psychologist. She is currently serving as the president of a left-wing political party called New Peru, which she founded in 2017. Verónika Mendoza is also known for her association with the Universidad Nacional del Altiplano de Puno, where she worked as a professor before commencing her political career.

Susana Baca is a Peruvian singer-songwriter, folklorist, school teacher, ethnomusicologist, and political leader. A three-time Latin Grammy Award recipient, Baca has played an important role in reviving Afro-Peruvian music. In 2011, Susana Baca became only the second Afro-Peruvian cabinet minister of independent Peru when she was elected as the Minister of Culture.

Valentín Paniagua was a Peruvian politician and lawyer. He is best remembered for his service as the President of Peru from 22 November 2000 to 28 July 2001. An influential politician, Valentín Paniagua also served as the Minister of Education from April 1984 to October 1984. From 1965 to 1966, he was the Minister of Justice and Worship in Peru.

Salvador del Solar is a Peruvian politician, actor, and director. He is best known for his service as the Prime Minister of Peru from 11 March 2019 to 30 September 2019. He also served as the Minister of Culture from 5 December 2016 to 9 January 2018. Salvador del Solar is also known for appearing in popular movies like Coraje.

Francisco Morales Bermúdez was a Peruvian general and politician. He served as the President of Peru from 29 August 1975 to 28 July 1980. A prominent political leader, Morales Bermúdez also served as the Prime Minister of Peru in 1975. From 1969 to 1974, Francisco Morales Bermúdez served as the Minister of Economy and Finance.

Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre was a Peruvian politician, author, and philosopher. He is best remembered for founding a popular political party named the American Popular Revolutionary Alliance. Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre is also remembered for his service as the President of the Constituent Assembly from 28 July 1978 to 13 July 1979.

Augusto B. Leguía was a Peruvian politician best remembered for his service as the President of Peru on two occasions; from September 1908 to September 1912 and again from October 1919 to August 1930. Augusto B.Leguía also served as the Minister of Finance and Commerce from 1903 to 1907. From 1904 to 1907, he was the Prime Minister of Peru.

María Antonieta Alva is a Peruvian public administrator best known for her service as the Minister of Economy and Finance from 2019 to 2020. She has also served at various governmental departments, mainly the Finance and the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Economy. María Antonieta Alva has also taught at the National University of San Marcos' School of Administration.

Manuel A. Odría was a Peruvian military officer and political leader. He is best remembered for his service as the President of Peru from 28 July 1950 to 28 July 1956. He also served as the Minister of Government and Police from 12 January 1947 to 17 June 1948.

Ramón Castilla was a Peruvian political and military leader. He is best remembered for his service as the President of Peru on three occasions between 1844 and 1862. He also served as the Interim President of Peru in April 1863. Ramón Castilla played an important role in the Peruvian War of Independence, where he led the army of the Libertadores.

Nadine Heredia is a Peruvian politician who served as the President of the famous Peruvian Nationalist Party from 30 December 2013 to 26 August 2016. Best known as the wife of former Peruvian President Ollanta Humala, Nadine Heredia served as the First Lady of Peru from 2011 to 2016. Nadine Heredia is seen as an influential figure in Peruvian politics.

Ciro Alegría was a Peruvian politician, journalist, and novelist. He is remembered for writing novels that highlighted the problems of the Native Peruvians, especially the nature of their oppression. He achieved international fame in 1941, when he won the Latin American Novel Prize for his novel Broad and Alien is the World. The book has been published in multiple languages.

Manuel González Prada was a Peruvian anarchist, politician, and literary critic. A social critic, González Prada helped develop Peruvian intellectual thought and the academic style called modernismo in the early 20th century. Manuel González Prada is also remembered for his service as the director of the National Library of Peru.

Fernando Belaúnde Terry was a Peruvian politician best remembered for his service as the President of Peru on two occasions between 1963 and 1985. Fernando Belaúnde Terry was deposed from his position as the president by a military coup in the late 1960s and was re-elected on 28 July 1980 after 12 years of military rule in Peru.

José de la Riva Agüero was a Peruvian politician, soldier, and historian. He is best remembered for his service as the first President of Peru from 28 February 1823 to 23 June 1823. An important politician, José de la Riva Agüero also served as the second President of North Peru from 1 August 1838 to 24 January 1839.

Micaela Bastidas was a Peruvian leader who campaigned against the Spanish rule in South America. She was martyred during the Peruvian struggle for independence. Along with her husband José Gabriel Condorcanqui, Micaela Bastidas fought against the Spanish forces and suffered martyrdom when the revolt failed.

Manuel Quimper was a Spanish Peruvian cartographer, explorer, colonial official, and naval officer. He is remembered for his participation in charting the Sandwich Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the late-18th century. He served as a colonial governor in Peru at the start of Peru's fight for independence. After Peru’s independence, Manuel Quimper pursued a literary career.

Martha Hildebrandt is a Peruvian Fujimorist politician and linguist. She is best known for her service as the President of the Congress from 1999 to 2000. She is only the second woman after Martha Chávez to serve as the president of the Congress of Peru. Martha Hildebrandt has also worked as a professor at the National University of San Marcos.

Luis Alberto Sánchez was a Peruvian lawyer, philosopher, jurist, historian, politician, and writer. He is best remembered for his service as the first Vice President of Peru from 1985 to 1990. A prominent politician, Luis Alberto Sánchez also served as the Prime Minister of Peru and as the Minister of the Presidency from 15 May 1989 to 30 September 1989.

Beatriz Merino is a Peruvian lawyer, politician, and academic. She is best known for her service as the Prime Minister of Peru in 2003. She is the first female politician to serve as Peru's prime minister. Merino also served as the Public Defender of Peru from 2005 to 2011. She is currently serving as the President of César Vallejo University.

Pilar Mazzetti is a Peruvian health administrator and physician. She is best known for her service as the Minister of Health of Peru on three occasions between 2004 and 2021. She also served as the Minister of the Interior from 2006 to 2007. Mazzetti is the first woman to serve as the Minister of the Interior in the Peruvian government.

Moises Mamani was a Peruvian Fujimorist politician. He is best remembered for his involvement in the Kenjivideos scandal in 2018. Moises Mamani is also remembered for his service in the Congress of the Republic of Peru for the Puno constituency from 2016 until his demise in 2020.

Pedro Beltrán Espantoso was a Peruvian politician, economist, and journalist. He is remembered for his service as the Minister of Finance and Prime Minister of Peru from 1959 to 1961. He also served as the Ambassador of Peru to the USA from 1944 to 1945. From 1948 to 1950, Pedro Beltrán Espantoso was the president of the Central Reserve Bank.

Luis Arias Graziani was a Peruvian politician and air force officer. He is best remembered for his service as the Chief of the Joint Command and Minister of Defence from 1980 to 1981. From 1977 to 1978, he served as the Minister of Commerce. Luis Arias Graziani also served as the Minister of Aeronautics between 1978 and 1980.

Ricardo Valderrama Fernandez was a Peruvian scholar, politician, and anthropologist. He is best remembered for his research on the Native Peruvians of the Andes region; he spent over four decades studying the lives of the Native Peruvians. Ricardo Valderrama Fernandez is also remembered for his service as the Mayor of Cusco Province from 2019 to 2020.