Famous People Born In Prague

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 1 
Franz Kafka
(Novelist and Short-Story Writer, Widely Regarded as One of the Major Figures of 20th-Century Literature)
Franz Kafka
21
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: July 3, 1883
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died: June 3, 1924

Considered one of the major authors of the 20th century, Franz Kafka was a Bohemian short-story writer and novelist. Franz Kafka is credited for being one of the earliest German-speaking authors to explore themes like absurdity, existential anxiety, and alienation. The term Kafkaesque is now widely used in the English language to explain those situations experienced by his characters.

 2 
Madeleine Albright
(64th United States Secretary of State (1997 - 2001))
Madeleine Albright
37
Birthdate: May 15, 1937
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: March 23, 2022
Madeleine Albright served as the U.S. Secretary of State from 1997 to 2001, under Bill Clinton, and was the first woman to hold the post. The Presidential Medal of Freedom awardee also chaired the Albright Stonebridge Group and taught at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service.
 3 
Martina Navratilova
(One of the Greatest Tennis Players of All Time)
Martina Navratilova
30
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 18, 1956
Sun Sign: Libra
Martina Navratilova is the world’s only tennis player to be no. 1 for more than 200 weeks in both singles and doubles. She is one of three women with a "Grand Slam Boxed Set.” She is openly lesbian and had earlier fled her country, Czechoslovakia, due to political issues.
 4 
Antonín Dvořák
(One of the First Czech Composers to Achieve Worldwide Recognition)
Antonín Dvořák
5
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: September 8, 1841
Sun Sign: Virgo
Died: May 1, 1904

Antonín Dvořák was a Czech composer who achieved worldwide recognition for his works. His life and career inspired the 1980 historical biographical film Concert at the End of Summer, in which Dvořák was played by actor Josef Vinklář. Canadian children's author Ian Krykorka has based many of his works on some of Antonín Dvořák's operas.

 5 
Rainer Maria Rilke
(Austrian Poet and Novelist Known for His Poetry Collections ‘Duino Elegies’ and ‘Sonnets to Orpheus’)
Rainer Maria Rilke
6
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 4, 1875
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Died: December 29, 1926

Bohemian-Austrian poet and author Rainer Maria Rilke is best remembered for his numerous poetry collections and his only novel, The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge. His works contain metaphors, contradictions, and elements drawn from Greek mythology. Though most of his works were in German, he had also written in French.

 6 
Wilhelm Steinitz
(American Chess Player and the First World Chess Champion)
Wilhelm Steinitz
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 14, 1836
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: August 12, 1900

Wilhelm Steinitz was an Austrian-born American chess player. He is recognized as the first World Chess Champion, having reigned from 1886 to 1894. A multi-talented personality, Wilhelm Steinitz was also an influential chess theoretician and writer. Steinitz is also remembered for having a huge impact on the game and was a well-known player during his time.

 7 
Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor
(King of Bohemia from 1346 to 1378)
Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor
3
Birthdate: May 14, 1316
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: November 29, 1378

Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor reigned as the king of Bohemia from 1346 until his death in 1378. In 1355, he became the first king of Bohemia to be crowned Holy Roman Emperor. Later, he was crowned king of Burgundy in 1365, making him the sole king of the Holy Roman Empire and all its kingdoms.

 8 
Herbert Lom
(Czech Actor Renowned For His Versatility)
Herbert Lom
3
Birthdate: September 11, 1917
Sun Sign: Virgo
Died: September 27, 2012

Herbert Lom was a Czech actor best remembered for his versatility as he portrayed suave villains during his younger days and then moved on to playing professional men as he aged. He also proved his comedy skills in The Pink Panther franchise. Lom worked well into his 80s before retiring in 2002. He died 10 years later in his sleep.

 9 
Prince Rupert of the Rhine
(German-English Army Officer, Admiral, Scientist and Colonial Governor)
Prince Rupert of the Rhine
4
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: December 17, 1619
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Died: November 29, 1682

Prince Rupert of the Rhine was a German-English admiral, army officer, colonial governor, and scientist. Renowned for his energy and quick-thinking, Rupert made long-lasting and impressive contributions to the doctrine and development of the Royal Navy. He is also credited with shaping modern Canada's political geography. 

 10 
Petr Korda
(Former Czech Tennis Player Who Won the 'Australian Open' Singles in 1998)
Petr Korda
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 23, 1968
Sun Sign: Aquarius

Petr Korda is a Czech retired tennis player best known for winning the Australian Open singles in 1998. He also won the Australian Open doubles in 1996 as well as the 1994 Hopman Cup for his country. In July 1998, Petr Korda tested positive for doping. He retired the following year shortly before he was to serve a 12-month ban.

 11 
Věra Čáslavská
(Czechoslovak Artistic Gymnast Considered the Greatest in Czech History)
Věra Čáslavská
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 3, 1942
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: August 30, 2016

Věra Čáslavská was a Czechoslovak artistic gymnast who won 22 international titles, including 11 European Championships, four World Championships, and seven Olympic gold medals. The most decorated gymnast in Czech history, Čáslavská is the only gymnast to have won at least one Olympic gold in each individual event. In 1998, she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

 12 
Jan Palach
(Activist Known for Self-Immolation After the 1968 Invasion of Czechoslovakia)
Jan Palach
6
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: August 11, 1948
Sun Sign: Leo
Died: January 19, 1969
 13 
Vladimir Kulich
(Czech-Canadian Actor Best Known for His Role in the Film 'The 13th Warrior')
Vladimir Kulich
3
Birthdate: July 14, 1956
Sun Sign: Cancer

Vladimir Kulich is a Czech-Canadian actor best known for his portrayal of Buliwyf in the 1999 American historical action film, The 13th Warrior. He has also appeared in popular TV series like Vikings. Prior to his acting career, Vladimir Kulich played professional ice hockey and tried his hand at many other things, including a whitewater river rafting business.

 14 
Bertha von Suttner
(Austrian-Bohemian Pacifist, Novelist and the First Woman to be Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize)
Bertha von Suttner
2
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: June 9, 1843
Sun Sign: Gemini
Died: June 21, 1914

Once a governess of the four daughters of the affluent Suttner family, Bertha von Suttner later married the sisters’ elder brother, Baron Arthur Gundaccar von Suttner. The Austrian novelist was known for her peace activism, which made her the first female to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

 15 
Jan Švankmajer
(Former Czech Artist and Filmmaker Famous For His Stop-Motion Animation Work)
Jan Švankmajer
0
Birthdate: September 4, 1934
Sun Sign: Virgo

Jan Švankmajer is a Czech former artist and filmmaker. A self-proclaimed surrealist, Švankmajer's stop-motion animation work has greatly influenced artists like Brothers Quay, Terry Gilliam, Caroline Leaf, Vera Neubauer, Nina Gantz, and Tomasz Bagiński among many others. Jan Švankmajer is a recipient of many prestigious awards such as the Golden Bear, FIAF Award, and Raymond Roussel Society Medal.

 16 
Tomáš Rosický
(Former Czech Footballer and Fourth-Highest Goal-Scorer from the Czech Republic)
Tomáš Rosický
9
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 4, 1980
Sun Sign: Libra

The son of former footballer Jiří Rosický, Tomáš Rosický is known as The Little Mozart for setting the tone of the game on the field. He has represented teams such as Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal and has scripted history as the fourth-highest goal-scorer of his country.

 17 
Patrik Berger
(Former Czech Footballer Who Played as a Midfielder)
Patrik Berger
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 10, 1973
Sun Sign: Scorpio

Patrik Berger is a Czech retired footballer who won four trophies playing for Liverpool between 1996 and 2003. Renowned for his powerful strikes and strong left foot, Berger was named Czech Footballer of the Year in 1996. He also competed in important tournaments for his national team and helped his team reach the finals of the 1996 UEFA European Championship.

 18 
Jaroslav Drobný
(Former World No.1 Amateur Tennis and Ice Hockey Player)
Jaroslav Drobný
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 12, 1921
Sun Sign: Libra
Died: September 13, 2001

Although he had been part of the Olympic silver-winning Czechoslovakian ice hockey team, Jaroslav Drobny gained more fame as a tennis player. He achieved the rare feat of having played Wimbledon for four different countries: Czechoslovakia, Bohemia-Moravia, Egypt, and, Britain. He also won 130 singles titles throughout his career.

 19 
Anne of Bohemia
(Queen of England)
Anne of Bohemia
0
Birthdate: May 11, 1366
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: June 7, 1394
 20 
Jan Koller
(Former Czech Footballer Who Played as a Striker)
Jan Koller
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 30, 1973
Sun Sign: Aries
Jan Koller is a Czech retired footballer best known for his strong physique, height, and heading ability. After making his national debut in 1999, Koller went on to appear in 91 games in a decade-long career, during which he scored 55 goals becoming the all-time top scorer for his country. In 1999, he was named Czech Footballer of the Year.
 21 
Milada Horáková
(Czech Politician Wrongfully Convicted and Executed on Fabricated Charges by the 'Communist Party of Czechoslovakia')
Milada Horáková
2
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: December 25, 1901
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died: June 27, 1950
Czech lawyer-politician Milada Horáková remained active in underground resistance-movement during the Second World War. She was convicted on fabricated charges of conspiracy and treason by the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and executed by hanging. Her trial verdict was posthumously annulled and she was rehabilitated and awarded Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk (1st Class) and Order of the White Double Cross (1st Class).
 22 
Ester Ledecká
(Czech Alpine Skier and Snowboarder)
Ester Ledecká
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 23, 1995
Sun Sign: Aries

Ester Ledecká is a Czech alpine skier and snowboarder. She is best known for winning gold medals at the 2018 and 2022 Olympics in parallel giant slalom. In the 2018 Olympics, Ledecká also won gold medal in the super-G event, becoming the first person to win two gold medals using two different types of equipment at the same Winter Olympics.

 23 
Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler
(Businesswoman and one of the owners of Schaeffler Group)
Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler
3
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: August 17, 1941
Sun Sign: Leo
 24 
Jan Kodeš
(Czech Former Tennis Player Who Won 3 Grand Slam Singles in the 1970s)
Jan Kodeš
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 1, 1946
Sun Sign: Pisces

Czech former tennis player Jan Kodeš won three Grand Slam singles events during the early 1970s, including the French Open in 1970 and 1971, and the Wimbledon in 1973. .His accomplishments include winning 9 top-level singles titles and 17 doubles titles, receiving Czech Fair Play Award from the Czech Olympic Committee, and getting inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

 25 
Vera Ralston
(Czech Figure-Skater Who Competed in 1936-Winter-Olympics and Known for Her Role in the Film 'Dakota')
Vera Ralston
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 12, 1919
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died: February 9, 2003

Czech figure-skater Vera Ralston represented her nation under her birth name Věra Hrubá at the 1936 European Figure Skating Championships, the 1936 Winter Olympics, and the 1937 European Figure Skating Championships. She later immigrated to the US and became a naturalized citizen. She made her name as an actress appearing in films like Storm Over Lisbon, Dakota, and The Fighting Kentuckian.

 26 
Marie, Princess of Liechtenstein
(Princess)
Marie, Princess of Liechtenstein
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: April 14, 1940
Sun Sign: Aries
 27 
Hans Kelsen
(Austrian Jurist and Philosopher Who Formulated a Kind of Positivism Known as the 'Pure Theory' of Law)
Hans Kelsen
0
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: October 11, 1881
Sun Sign: Libra
Died: April 19, 1973

Hans Kelsen was an Austria-born jurist, legal philosopher and writer on international law, known especially for his Pure Theory of Law and his defense of democracy. Author of the 1920 Austrian Constitution, he left his homeland in 1930 due to rising totalitarianism. He went to the USA, where he taught at well-known universities, concurrently producing important works like Principles of International Law.

 28 
Marie Bouzkova
(Tennis Player)
Marie Bouzkova
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 21, 1998
Sun Sign: Cancer

Marie Bouzkova is a Czech tennis player who came into prominence in 2014 when she won the US Open girls' singles title. She competes in the WTA Tour and ITF Women's Circuit. Marie Bouzkova currently has 12 ITF singles titles and three WTA doubles titles under her belt.

 29 
Karl Kautsky
(Czech-Austrian Journalist, Philosopher, and Marxist Theorist)
Karl Kautsky
0
Birthdate: October 16, 1854
Sun Sign: Libra
Died: October 17, 1938
 30 
Max Brod
(Israeli Author, Composer and Journalist)
Max Brod
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: May 27, 1884
Sun Sign: Gemini
Died: December 20, 1968

Max Brod was a Czech German-speaking Jewish author, composer, and journalist. He studied law at the German Charles-Ferdinand University and proceeded to pursue a career as a journalist and composer. He worked as an editor and literary adviser for the Israeli national theatre for three decades. He was a close friend and biographer of writer Franz Kafka. 

 31 
Anna Kellnerová
(Czech Showjumper and Twice National Champion in the 'Young Riders' Category)
Anna Kellnerová
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 26, 1996
Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Anna Kellnerová is a Czech professional showjumper who represented her country at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Kellnerová achieved national prominence when she became a two-time junior national champion. She has also won two national championship titles under the Young Riders category. In 2017, the Czech Equestrian Federation named her The Women Rider of 2016 under the Young Riders category.

 32 
Alena Šeredová
(Czech Actress and Model)
Alena Šeredová
1
Birthdate: March 21, 1978
Sun Sign: Aries

Alena Šeredová is a Czech actress and model best known for her work in Italy. Over the years, Šeredová has appeared on the covers of popular magazines like Playboy Europe, Penthouse Europe, Quo, and Spy. Her popularity increased in 2011 when she got married to Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon; they separated in May 2014.

 33 
Karel Schwarzenberg
(Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic)
Karel Schwarzenberg
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: December 10, 1937
Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Karel Schwarzenberg is a Czech politician best known for his service as the Minister of Foreign Affairs on two occasions; from 2007 to 2009 and again from 2010 to 2013. He also served as Czech Republic's first Deputy Prime Minister in the Cabinet of Petr Nečas. Schwarzenberg is the recipient of several awards, including the Marietta and Friedrich Torberg Medal.

 34 
Jan Masaryk
(Czechoslovakia's Foreign Minister From 1940 to 1948)
Jan Masaryk
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: September 14, 1886
Sun Sign: Virgo
Died: March 10, 1948

Jan Masaryk was a Czech politician and diplomat best remembered for his service as Czechoslovakia's Foreign Minister from 21 July 1940 to 10 March 1948. He became a popular national figure during the Second World War when he made wartime broadcasts to occupied Czechoslovakia; his broadcasts were titled Speaking to My Country.

 35 
Bernard Bolzano
(Mathematician)
Bernard Bolzano
1
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: October 5, 1781
Sun Sign: Libra
Died: December 18, 1848
 36 
Julius Fučík
(Composer)
Julius Fučík
2
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: July 18, 1872
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died: September 25, 1916

Legendary Czech composer Julius Fučík, also known as the Bohemian Sousa, initially played the bassoon for the Austro-Hungarian Regiment and then bagged a job with the German opera theater in Prague. His best-known marches include the Florentine March and Entrance of the Gladiators. He spent his final years in Berlin.

 37 
Jaroslav Hašek
(Czech Writer and Journalist Best Known for His Novel 'The Fate of the Good Soldier Švejk')
Jaroslav Hašek
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: April 30, 1883
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: January 3, 1923

Initially a bank clerk, Jaroslav Hašek later dedicated his life to writing. The Czech author is best known for his iconic historical satire The Good Soldier Schweik. He had also been imprisoned as a Russian prisoner of war during World War I and was known for his bohemian life.

 38 
Tomáš Necid
(Czech Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Tomáš Necid
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 13, 1989
Sun Sign: Leo

Tomáš Necid is a Czech football player who plays as a striker. Necid had a terrific start to his career, winning the Czech Footballer of the Year award under Talent of the Year category in 2008. Tomáš Necid has played for popular teams like Slavia Prague, winning the Czech League in 2008 and 2009 and the Czech Cup in 2018.

 39 
Janet Malcolm
(Journalist, Writer)
Janet Malcolm
1
Birthdate: July 8, 1934
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died: June 16, 2021
 40 
Josef Suk
(Czech Composer, Violinist and Pupil of 'Antonín Dvořák' Noted for His Composition 'Asrael Symphony')
Josef Suk
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: January 4, 1874
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died: May 29, 1935

Czech composer and violinist Josef Suk was considered one of the most promising students of the reputed Czech composer Antonín Dvořák. Suk along with two other students of Dvořák, Karel Hoffmann and Oskar Nedba, and a student of Hanuš Wihan founded the internationally reputed Czech string quartet called Bohemian Quartet. Major works of Suk are Asrael Symphony and Serenade for Strings.

 41 
Tomáš Satoranský
(Czech Basketball Player Who Plays as a Point Guard)
Tomáš Satoranský
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 30, 1991
Sun Sign: Scorpio

Tomáš Satoranský is a Czech basketball player best known for his versatility as he can play in multiple positions. A five-time winner of the Czech Player of the Year award, Satoranský helped his national team qualify for their first FIBA World Cup in 2019. A Spanish Supercup winner, Satoranský currently plays for the Washington Wizards, apart from the national team. 

 42 
Hana Mandlíková
(Former Professional Tennis Player from Czechoslovakia Who Won Four Grand Slam Singles Titles)
Hana Mandlíková
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 19, 1962
Sun Sign: Pisces

Hana Mandlíková is a retired tennis player best known for winning four Grand Slam singles titles. She also won the doubles title at the 1989 US Open. Mandlíková won the Fed Cup for Czechoslovakia on four occasions. Counted among the greatest players of all time, Hana Mandlíková was made an inductee of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1994.

 43 
Milena Jesenska
(Czech Writer Who Helped Many Jews Escape From Czechoslovakia After the Advent of The Nazis)
Milena Jesenska
1
Birthdate: August 10, 1896
Sun Sign: Leo
Died: May 17, 1944

Milena Jesenska was a Czech writer, editor, journalist, and translator. She is best remembered for translating Franz Kafka's works from German to Czech and for her romantic relationship with Kafka when she was still married to Ernst Pollak. She is also known for her action of saving the lives of many Jewish and political refugees when the Nazis occupied Czechoslovakia.

 44 
David Navara
(Czech International Chess Grandmaster)
David Navara
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 27, 1985
Sun Sign: Aries

The Czech Republic’s highest-rated chess player, David Navara has 11 national championship titles in his kitty. He was named an International Master at 14 and a Grandmaster at 16. He has also won an individual gold at the 2012 Chess Olympiad, representing the Czech team.

 45 
Lída Baarová
(Czech Actress Who was the Mistress of the Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels)
Lída Baarová
6
Birthdate: September 14, 1914
Sun Sign: Virgo
Died: October 28, 2000

Lída Baarová was a Czech actress whose professional life was overshadowed by her personal counterpart; she is best remembered as the mistress of Joseph Goebbels, a Nazi propaganda minister. Her life and career inspired the 2016 film The Devil's Mistress, a dramatization of Lída Baarová's life, in which Baarová was played by Slovak actress Tatiana Pauhofová.

 46 
Antonín Panenka
(Former Czech Footballer Who Played as an Attacking Midfielder)
Antonín Panenka
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 2, 1948
Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Antonín Panenka is a Czech former football player best known for winning the 1976 UEFA European Football Championship with the Czechoslovakia national team. In 1980, he was named Czechoslovak Footballer of the Year. Antonín Panenka is credited with popularizing panenka, a style of penalty named after him.

 47 
Jakub Vadlejch
(Czech Track and Field Athlete)
Jakub Vadlejch
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 10, 1990
Sun Sign: Libra
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 48 
David Cerny
(Sculptor)
David Cerny
1
Birthdate: December 15, 1967
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
 49 
Joanna of Austria, Grand Duchess of Tuscany
(Aristocrat)
Joanna of Austria, Grand Duchess of Tuscany
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 24, 1547
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Died: April 11, 1578
 50 
Stanislav Grof
(Psychiatrist known for Transpersonal psychology)
Stanislav Grof
1
Birthdate: July 1, 1931
Sun Sign: Cancer