Famous Uruguayan People

Vote For Your Favourite Uruguayan Personality

Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

 1 
Luis Suarez
(Uruguayan Professional Football Striker)
Luis Suarez
112
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 24, 1987
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Salto

Controversy’s favorite child Uruguayan professional Luis Suarez has been in the news for an infamous handball and also for biting opponents. He now plays for Atlético Madrid and has previously represented Barcelona and Liverpool, winning 19 trophies in his career to date. He is Uruguay's leading goalscorer of all time.

 2 
Edinson Cavani
(Uruguayan Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Edinson Cavani
58
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 14, 1987
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Salto

Uruguayan footballer, Edinson Cavani, is the second-most highest scorer among Uruguayan internationals, next only to Luis Suarez. During his time in Italy, he was called El Matador for his composure while scoring goals. Although considered one of the best strikers of his generation, Cavani has been criticized for his relatively poor performance in important games.

 3 
José Mujica
(Former President of Uruguay)
José Mujica
29
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: May 20, 1935
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Montevideo

José Mujica is an Uruguayan retired politician. From 2010 to 2015, Mujica served as the president of Uruguay. A well-known philanthropist, Mujica won the hearts of many for his donation of 90 percent of his monthly salary to charities. Due to his generosity and austere lifestyle, José Mujica has often been referred to as the world's humblest head of state.

Recommended Lists:
 4 
Diego Forlán
(Uruguayan Professional Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as a Striker)
Diego Forlán
22
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 19, 1979
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Montevideo
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 5 
Natalia Oreiro
(Uruguayan Actress, Singer and Model)
Natalia Oreiro
11
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: May 19, 1977
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Villa del Cerro

Natalia Oreiro is a Uruguayan actress, fashion designer, singer, songwriter, host, and producer. Apart from appearing in telenovelas and films, Oreiro has also worked on social awareness events and shows for organizations like UNICEF and Greenpeace. As a singer, Natalia Oreiro has sold more than 10 million records so far.

 6 
Natalia Cigliuti
(Actress)
Natalia Cigliuti
8
Birthdate: September 6, 1978
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montevideo
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 7 
Eduardo Galeano
(Uruguayan Journalist & Writer Best-Known for His Works ‘Las venas abiertas de América Latina’ & ‘Memoria del Fuego’)
Eduardo Galeano
6
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: September 3, 1940
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montevideo
Died: April 13, 2015

Eduardo Galeano was a Uruguayan novelist, journalist, and writer. Regarded as one of the most respected writers of Uruguay, Galeano was honored by the Global Exchange with the prestigious International Human Rights Award in 2006. In 2010, he was awarded the Stig Dagerman Prize.

 8 
Diego Godín
(Uruguayan Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Centre-Back)
Diego Godín
17
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 16, 1986
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Rosario
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 9 
Fernando Muslera
(Uruguayan Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Goalkeeper)
Fernando Muslera
26
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 16, 1986
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Buenos Aires
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 10 
Mario Benedetti
(Uruguayan Journalist, Novelist and Poet)
Mario Benedetti
4
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: September 14, 1920
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Paso de los Toros
Died: May 17, 2009

Mario Benedetti was a Uruguayan novelist, journalist, and poet. Widely regarded as one of the 20th century's most important writers in the Spanish-speaking world, Benedetti was a key member of the Generation '45. Benedetti's works were published in 20 languages and he also contributed to the weekly newspaper, Marcha, where he served as the literary director from 1954 to 1973.  

 11 
Álvaro Recoba
(Uruguayan Former Footballer Who Played as a Forward or Midfielder)
Álvaro Recoba
7
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 17, 1976
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Montevideo
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 12 
Horacio Quiroga
(Uruguayan Playwright, Poet and Short Story Writer)
Horacio Quiroga
6
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 31, 1878
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Salto
Died: February 19, 1937

Horacio Quiroga was a Uruguayan poet, playwright, and short story writer. He is best remembered for depicting jungles and characters with mental illnesses in his stories. Horacio Quiroga is credited with influencing the works of Gabriel García Márquez and Julio Cortázar.

 13 
Jorge Drexler
(First Uruguayan Composer to Win an Academy Award)
Jorge Drexler
5
Birthdate: September 21, 1964
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montevideo

Son of German immigrants who escaped the Holocaust, Jorge Drexler was born in Uruguay. Inspired by his physician parents, Dexler, became an otolaryngologist, but his love for music turned him into a Latin pop sensation. His song Al Otro Lado Del Rio from The Motorcycle Diaries won him an Oscar.

 14 
Pablo Cuevas
(Uruguayan Professional Tennis Player)
Pablo Cuevas
6
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 1, 1986
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Concordia
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 15 
José Gervasio Artigas
(Uruguayan Military General)
José Gervasio Artigas
4
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: June 19, 1764
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Montevideo
Died: September 23, 1850

José Gervasio Artigas was a Uruguayan military general, political leader, and statesman. Considered a national hero in Uruguay, Artigas played a major role in the Latin American wars of independence against the Hispanic Monarchy. Apart from monuments and statues that have been erected in his honor, several public places have also been named after José Gervasio Artigas.

 16 
Luisel Ramos
(Model)
Luisel Ramos
6
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: April 12, 1984
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Montevideo
Died: August 2, 2006
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 17 
Alcides Ghiggia
(Uruguayan-Italian Football Player Who Played as a Right Winger)
Alcides Ghiggia
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 22, 1926
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Montevideo
Died: July 16, 2015
 18 
Paolo Montero
(Uruguayan Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as a Central Defender / Left-Back)
Paolo Montero
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 3, 1971
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montevideo
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 19 
Jayson Granger
(Basketball player)
Jayson Granger
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 15, 1989
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montevideo
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 20 
Santiago Vescovi
(Basketball player)
Santiago Vescovi
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 14, 2001
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montevideo
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 21 
Kenya Mori
(Actress)
Kenya Mori
6
Birthdate: January 15, 1976
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Montevideo
 22 
Alfredo Evangelista
(Boxer)
Alfredo Evangelista
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 3, 1954
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Montevideo
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 23 
Diego Aguirre
(Uruguayan Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as a Forward)
Diego Aguirre
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 13, 1965
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montevideo
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 24 
Chris Namus
(Boxer)
Chris Namus
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 3, 1987
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Montevideo
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 25 
Gustavo Rojo
(Actor)
Gustavo Rojo
4
Birthdate: September 5, 1923
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montevideo
Died: April 22, 2017

Gustavo Rojo was an Uruguayan film producer and actor who appeared in over 160 television shows and films between 1938 and 2016. He made his theater debut in his mother Mercedes Pinto's play in the late 1920s. After moving to Mexico along with his family in the 1940s, Rojo started appearing in telenovelas, such as No creo en los hombres.

 26 
Lorena Ponce de Leon
(Architect)
Lorena Ponce de Leon
3
Listed In: Architects
Birthdate: October 6, 1976
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Montevideo
 27 
Martín Cáceres
(Uruguayan Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Defender)
Martín Cáceres
13
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 7, 1987
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Montevideo
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 28 
José Batlle y Ordóñez
(Former President of Uruguay Who Served for Three-Terms Between 1899 and 1911)
José Batlle y Ordóñez
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: May 21, 1856
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Montevideo
Died: October 20, 1929

José Batlle y Ordóñez was a Uruguayan politician best remembered for his service as the President of Uruguay on two occasions. He held the president's office from 1903 to 1907 and again from 1911 to 1915. He was also appointed as the acting president in 1899. Batlle is credited with modernizing the country by introducing extensive welfare state reforms.

 29 
Maxi Pereira
(Uruguayan Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Right-Back)
Maxi Pereira
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 8, 1984
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Montevideo
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 30 
Martin Mendez
(Bassist)
Martin Mendez
2
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: April 6, 1978
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Montevideo

Martin Mendez is a Uruguayan Swedish bassist best known for his association with the popular Swedish progressive metal band, Opeth. He is the second-longest serving member of Opeth. Apart from Opeth, Martin Mendez has also played for several other bands like Proxima, Vinterkrig, and Fifth to Infinity.

 31 
Fede Alvarez
Fede Alvarez
5
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: February 9, 1978
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Montevideo

Fede Alvarez is a Uruguayan filmmaker best known for directing American films like Evil Dead and Don't Breathe. Alvarez achieved international prominence after the release of Evil Dead, which grossed $97 million against a budget of $17 million. Fede Álvarez is also known for directing popular short films like Ataque de pánico!

 32 
Julio María Sanguinetti Coirolo
(President)
Julio María Sanguinetti Coirolo
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 6, 1936
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Montevideo

Julio María Sanguinetti Coirolo is a Uruguayan politician, journalist, and lawyer. He is best known for his service as the President of Uruguay from 1985 to 1990 and again from 1995 to 2000. An influential politician, Julio María Sanguinetti Coirolo has also served as the Minister of Industry and Commerce as well as the Minister of Education and Culture. 

 33 
Sebastián Coates
(Uruguayan Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Centre Back)
Sebastián Coates
5
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 7, 1990
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Montevideo
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
 34 
George Hilton
(Film actor)
George Hilton
1
Birthdate: July 16, 1934
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Montevideo
Died: July 28, 2019
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 35 
Diego Lugano
(Uruguayan Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Central Defender)
Diego Lugano
7
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 2, 1980
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Canelones
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 36 
Raúl Sendic
(Lawyer)
Raúl Sendic
0
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: March 16, 1926
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Flores Department
Died: April 28, 1989
 37 
Marcelo Buquet
(Actor)
Marcelo Buquet
2
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: October 4, 1963
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Montevideo
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 38 
Mauricio Rosencof
(Playwright)
Mauricio Rosencof
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: June 30, 1933
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Florida

Mauricio Rosencof is a Uruguayan poet, playwright, and journalist. He is best known for his book El regreso del Gran Tuleque, which inspired a 1999 film titled El chevrolé. Mauricio Rosencof's life and career, including his 12-year tenure in prison, were the basis for the 2018 drama film A Twelve-Year Night.

 39 
Carlos Páez Vilaró
1
Listed In: Architects
Birthdate: November 1, 1923
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Montevideo
Died: February 24, 2014

Carlos Páez Vilaró was a Uruguayan abstract artist, potter, sculptor, painter, muralist, composer, writer, and constructor. He began his career as a printing apprentice and then began composing music as well. He was part of the "Grupo de los 8", a movement of Uruguayan artists formed in the 1950s. He enjoyed a successful career but had a troubled personal life. 

 40 
Gus Poyet
(Uruguayan Professional Football Manager and Former Footballer Midfielder)
Gus Poyet
5
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 15, 1967
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Montevideo
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 41 
Diego Pérez
(Uruguayan Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Defensive Midfielder)
Diego Pérez
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 18, 1980
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Montevideo
 42 
Diego Laxalt
(Uruguayan Professional Footballer, Who Plays as a Left-Back or a Left Winger)
Diego Laxalt
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 7, 1993
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Montevideo
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 43 
Juan Carlos Onetti
(Uruguayan Novelist and Short Story Writer)
Juan Carlos Onetti
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: July 1, 1909
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Montevideo
Died: May 30, 1994

Juan Carlos Onetti was a Uruguayan novelist and short story writer. Counted among Latin America's most eminent writers, Onetti was the recipient of several prestigious honors including the Uruguay National Literature Prize. He was also an important member of the Generation '45, a group of writers who had a significant influence in the cultural and literary life of their country.

 44 
Sebastián Abreu
(Uruguayan Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as a Striker)
Sebastián Abreu
6
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 17, 1976
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Minas
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
Joaquín Torres García
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: July 28, 1874
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Montevideo
Died: August 8, 1949
 46 
Enzo Francescoli
(Uruguayan Former Footballer Who Played as a Attacking Midfielder)
Enzo Francescoli
6
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 12, 1961
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Montevideo
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 47 
Tab Ramos
(American Former Soccer Player and Former Head Coach of Hartford Athletic in the USL Championship)
Tab Ramos
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 21, 1966
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montevideo
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 48 
Tabaré Vázquez
(39th and 41st President of Uruguay (2005 - 2010, 2015 - 2020))
Tabaré Vázquez
10
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 17, 1940
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Montevideo
Died: December 6, 2020

Tabaré Vázquez was a Uruguayan politician who served as the 39th and 41st president of Uruguay from 2005 to 2010 and from 2015 to 2020 respectively. The first socialist president of Uruguay, Vázquez's first presidency strengthened the country's diplomatic ties with Argentina and Brazil. In 2006, Tabaré Vázquez was honored by WHO for implementing strict tobacco control laws in Uruguay.

 49 
Joaquín Torres-García
(Uruguayan Artist and Art Theorist Who Established the Constructive Universalism Movement)
Joaquín Torres-García
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: July 28, 1874
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Montevideo
Died: August 8, 1949

Uruguayan-Spanish artist Joaquín Torres-García didn’t like the conservative style promoted at his Barcelona art academy and deviated more toward Impressionist and post-Impressionist art instead. He later brought Constructivism to South American countries. The Taller Torres García founder is best remembered for his work Monumento Cosmico.

 50 
Walter Gargano
(Uruguayan Footballer Who Plays as a Defensive Midfielder)
Walter Gargano
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 23, 1984
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Paysandú
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)