Famous Colombians: Surprising Names!

Did you know Colombia is the birthplace of many famous people in different fields?

Colombians often cherish these personalities because they highlight a different side of their country (which they take great pride in). Familiarizing yourself with a few names will make it easier to connect with locals and spark interesting conversations 😉

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Dive into our inspiration section to learn more about the country’s culture and people.

Shakira

Don’t tell me you’ve never rocked out to the song Whenever, Wherever!

Who is Shakira?

Shakira is a Colombian singer-songwriter. She is one of the best-known Colombian artists of all time.

Her songs mix Latin pop with upbeat rhythms and world music with folk, pop, and rock accents.

Why is she famous?

In 2002, Whenever, Wherever brought her international fame; since then, she has enjoyed one hit after another.

You can probably hum Waka, waka, the official soundtrack of the 2010 World Football Cup in South Africa.

She won several Billboard Latin music awards, and in 2016, she received two Latin Grammy Awards for La Bicicleta.

Shakira is also renowned for her humanitarian action supporting vulnerable kids in her country and worldwide.

I’m sure you noticed her seductive belly dance, a heritage from her Lebanese grandmother.

Where was she born?

Shakira was born in 1977, in Barranquilla (Departamento Atlàntico), a seaport town on the Caribbean coast in northern Colombia.

Barranquilla is famous for its carnival, the biggest in Colombia and the 3rd biggest in the world after Rio and Venice.

Juanes

Let’s stay in Latin music; if I hum “Tengo la camisa negra“…, does that ring a bell? Well, yes, that’s him!

Who is Juanes?

Juanes is a Colombian singer-songwriter and guitarist.

His style combines rural Colombian music, blending indigenous, Bolivian, and Hispanic rhythms, such as Cumbia and Vallenato, with rock and pop.

Why is he famous?

Juanes owes his fame to his style and image as an “engaged singer” whose repertoire denounces the inequalities in his country.

He is the singer of the hit song A Dios le pido, which became a Latin America anthem for peace.

In 2004, his 3rd album, Mi Sangre, talking about violence, hope, and love, brought him popularity in Europe.

Juanes is also known for his humanitarian work through his foundation, which campaigns against landmines.

Where was he born?

This Colombian artist was born in 1972 in Medellin (Departamento de Antioquia). This city has undergone a spectacular transformation, shifting from one of the most dangerous cities in the world to the most pleasant place to live in Colombia, now drawing in countless expats and digital nomads.

Maluma

Have you ever heard of Maluma? No? Well, does Reggaeton sound familiar? 

Who is Maluma?

Maluma is a Colombian singer-songwriter and a leading ambassador of Reggaeton, a musical genre inspired by hip-hop and Jamaican dancehall, a variant of reggae. 

The lyrics of this popular style evoke the social difficulties of some districts, corruption, drugs, racism, and, of course, love.

Why is he famous?

After starting his career in first-division clubs, this former Colombian football player turned to his second passion, music.

His first track, Farandulera, quickly propelled him onto the national music scene, and in 2012, with his debut album, Magia, he became a major reggaeton singer in Colombia and Latin America.

He likes to perform duets with various international celebrities; his Chantaje with Shakira was a big hit. 

Besides this, he is the godfather of a foundation that supports kids who wish to start a musical career.

Where was he born?

Maluma was born in 1994 in Envigado, a town in the Antioquia department, neighboring Medellin to the north.

Karol G

Have you seen the blockbuster Barbie?

Well, the seductive voice singing Watabi on the soundtrack – that’s her!

Who is Karol G?

Karol G is a singer-songwriter of reggaeton and trap Latin, a musical style inspired by the Latin hip-hop music of Puerto Rico.

Why is she famous?

Karol G gained popularity in Colombia and then on the American continent by promoting urban music, a mix of musical styles linked to urban Colombian culture. 

Nicknamed “the new Shakira“, she enjoys a successful career and has already won numerous Awards.

She militates in favor of women’s equality in this still male-dominated musical style, arguing that the lyrics are no longer as hardcore.

Her latest track, La Bichota, appeals to women’s self-confidence.

Where was she born?

Karol G was born in 1991 in Medellín.

J Balvin

I can’t mention Colombian reggaeton without introducing you to J Balvin, known as “The Prince of Reggaeton”.

Who is J Balvin?

J Balvin is one of the most popular Latin American artists on the international scene.

He is also a great ambassador of Latin music all over the world.

Why is he famous?

Although fluent in English, he sings mainly in Spanish to prove that a musical genre can become popular worldwide without singing in English.

He works with many international artists like Ariana Grande and Pharell Williams. There’s no way you’ve never “shaken your head” to Mi gente, recorded with French DJ Willy William. 

Close to his fans via social networks, he is also known for his original clothes and his taste for color. He even launched a collection with Guess, inspired by 90s Miami.

Where was he born?

J Balvin was born in 1985 in Medellín, an emblematic city for Latin American music and the true home of Reggaeton.

Carlos Vives

Remember I told you about Shakira’s La Bicicleta? Well, the masculine voice of this duet is him!

Who is Carlos Vives?

Carlos Alberto Vives Restrepo is a very popular singer and composer in Colombia.

His music is inspired by Latin rhythms such as Salsa, Reggaeton, Vallenato, Cumbia, and pop and rock music.

Why is he famous?

He began to gain popularity by interpreting classics from the Colombian repertoire. His version of La Gota Fria, a Colombian Vallenato standard from 1938, was a hit.

More recently, he performed Cancion Bonita as a duet with the king of Latin American pop music, Ricky Martin, the sexy Puerto Rican hidalgo you probably know.

Politically, he has taken part in mobilizations against the government of former president Ivan Duque of the radical right.

Where was he born?

Carlos Vives was born in 1961 in Santa Marta, an important seaport and tourist town on the Caribbean Sea, offering beautiful day trips to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Sofia Vergara

If you enjoyed watching the American sitcom Modern Family, you didn’t miss her!

Who is Sofia Vergara?

She is well-known in the international audio-visual world as a Colombian actress, producer, top model, and show presenter.

Why is she famous?

The career of this beautiful Latina takes off when she is cast in the award-winning role of the hot-tempered Gloria Pritchett in the hugely successful Modern Family in 2009. 

Since then, she has played successful movie roles and has been a co-star with prestigious actors and actresses such as Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Where was she born?

Sofia Vergara was born in 1972 in Barranquilla, in the department of Atlantico, by Colombia’s most important river, the Magdalena.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Gabo Graffiti Getsemani Cartagena Colombia - Eastern Caribbean Coast

You probably won’t meet many Colombians who aren’t proud of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, affectionately known as “Gabo”.

Who is Gabriel Garcia Marquez?

Writer and novelist Gabo is one of the most popular authors of the twentieth century in South America.

Why is he famous?

The Colombian writer is renowned for his oeuvre, where realism inspired by his family history meets fantasy.

If you want to discover his style, which is full of unexpected twists and metaphors, I recommend reading One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera.

1982, he won the Nobel Prize in Literature for his prolific work.

Gabo, who was first a Colombian journalist before becoming a writer, is also known to be a left-wing political militant. He was a fervent admirer of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro.

Where was he born?

Gabo was born in 1927 in Arataca in the department of Magdalena in northern Colombia. You can visit as a day trip from Santa Marta.

If you go to Cartagena de Indias, wander around the Getsemani district and enjoy a chat with Gabo thanks to a clever trompe l’oeil.

Fernando Botero

Botero square - Medellin Antioquia Colombia (4)

It is impossible that your eyes have never been drawn to the attractively rounded shapes of a sculpture of Botero.

Who is Botero?

Colombian painter and sculptor Botero is one of the most famous artists of the 20th century. 

The plump physique of his subjects, inspired by pre-Columbian art, is his signature.

Why is he famous?

Botero is known for his paintings, but above all for his imposing sculptures of mostly naked round and inflated figures with inexpressive faces.

He said he wanted to create magic and sensuality through volume.

Botero has often donated his works. 

When you visit Medellin, don’t forget to wander around the 23 monumental bronze sculptures in the Plaza Botero, a veritable open-air museum. You can also take the opportunity to admire his paintings, which are permanently exhibited at the Museum of Antioquia.

You can also discover his work at the Botero Museum in Bogotá’s La Candelaria district.

Where was he born?

Botero was born in Medellín in 1932.

Doris Salcedo

Doris Salcedo Colombia
Credit: AFP – El Tiempo

 Let’s meet a committed Colombian artist whose work conveys a powerful message now.

Who is Doris Salcedo?

Doris Salcedo is a Colombian plastic artist who creates installations and interventions in situ.

Why is she famous?

With a background in Art and a deep sensitivity to political causes, Doris Salcedo’s work combines sculpture and political commitment.

This determined artist is known for her monumental installations, evoking painful events in Colombia’s recent history and other injustices around the world.

Exhibited in several prestigious venues, such as London’s Modern Tate, she has acquired an international reputation.

In 2007, to denounce a bloody FARC operation, she made an installation on the Plaza Bolivar, in the heart of the historic center of the Colombian capital, where you can admire the Cathedral as well as the National Capitol.

Where was she born?

Doris Salcedo was born in Bogotá in 1958. 

Egan Bernal

Egan Bernal Colombia
Credit: La República

If you’re a bike fan and follow the Tour de France, you know Egan Bernal!

Who is Egan Bernal?

Egan Bernal is a young Colombian cyclist. 

In the bike community, he is known as “the Eagle of Zipaquira,” a Colombian town famous for its salt cathedral.

Why is he famous?

Egan Bernal, a specialist in step races, was the youngest Tour de France winner in 2019.

He is also the first Colombian and Latin American rider to win this prestigious race.

He also won the Giro d’Italia in 2021.

Where was he born?

Egan Bernal was born in Bogotá in 1997. 

Did you know that Colombia’s capital has 540 km of cycle paths and that every Sunday from 7am to 2pm the main roads are closed to motorized vehicles so that Colombians can enjoy cycling with the whole family? It’s called the Ciclovia.

Nairo Quintana

Nairo Quintana Colombia
Credit: nairoquincoficial – MovistarTeam

After “The Eagle of Zipaquira”, we stay on the bicycle with “Scarabee” or “Nairoman”.

Who is Nairo Quintana?

If you didn’t understand, Nairo Quintana is also a Colombian cyclist.

Why is he famous?

Nairoman is known for his excellent climbing skills, which he probably owes to the distances he covered from the age of 8 in the vicinity of his native town perched at more than 2800 m altitude.

He excelled in numerous races, including the Giro d’Italia and the Giro de España.

He also finished on the podium three times in the Tour de France but never won.

Where was he born?

Nairoman was born in 1990 in Tunja, the capital of the department of Boyaca on the altiplano of the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes.

Falcao

Falcao Colombia
Credit: falcao

As you might imagine, footballers are among the most famous Colombian people.

Who is Falcao?

So, Falcao, also known as “El Tigre”, is a Colombian professional football player.

Why is he famous?

Spotted when he was young, Falcao mainly pursued his career in international football, signing for several foreign clubs, such as Atletico de Madrid, Monaco, and Manchester United. 

He won many titles with his clubs and the Colombia national football team.

Highly technical and able to play with both feet, he is appreciated for his excellent heading game.

Where was he born?

“El Tigre” was born in 1986 in Santa Marta.

James

Credit: jamesrodriguez10

Let’s stay in the round ball world with another famous player.

Who is James?

James, or James Rodriguez, is a Colombian football player who is also of Spanish nationality.

Why is he famous?

Since 2008, he has played for several prestigious clubs, including Bayern Munich and FC Porto, and since 2011, he has been selected for the Colombia national football team.

He won several trophies for his talent. During the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the FIFA Football Federation nominated him as the “most beautiful goal of the tournament”.

Purely left-footed, he plays as an attacking player, and football aficionados recognize his head playing qualities.

Where was he born?

James was born in 1991 in Cucuta, the administrative capital of the department of Norte de Santander in the northeast of the country, on the border with Venezuela.

Juan Pablo Montoya

Juan Pablo Montoya Colombia
Credit: jpmonty2

Let’s continue our tour of famous Colombians, but I propose to speed up a little!

Who is Juan Pablo Montoya?

Juan Pablo Montoya is a Colombian racing driver.

Why is he famous?

Born into a family of motor racing drivers, Juan Pablo Montoya is known as an outstanding racer in several categories. 

He is the only pilot to have won several prestigious international championships at the wheel of different machines.

He won 7 Formula 1 Grands Prix with famous teams such as Williams and several races on different circuits, including the Monaco Grand Prix.

Where was he born?

The racing driver was born in Bogota in 1975. 

David Vélez (Nubank)

David Velez Colombia
Credit: Colombia Fintech

There are not only sports stars and artists among the most famous Colombians; there are also some pretty crack businessmen!

Who is David Vélez?

David Vélez is the co-founder and CEO of Nubank, an online bank.

Why is he famous?

David Vèlez, who studied at the prestigious Stanford University, fell into the caldron of business at a very young age and quickly became a leader in finance. 

He was ranked among the Top 100 Executives in 2021.

Founded in 2013, Nubank is currently the world’s largest online bank and the biggest fintech in Latin America.

Where was he born?

The Colombian financial expert was born into a family of entrepreneurs in Medellin in 1982.

Simón Borrero (Rappi)

Simon Borrero Colombia
Credit: La Republica

Let’s stay in the business world with this genius developer!

Who is Simón Borrero ?

Simon Borrero is a young Colombian entrepreneur and co-founder and CEO of Rappi. 

Why is he famous?

In 2015, he and two other developers had the bright idea of launching this super mobile app that delivers items to your door. 

You can also benefit from various services, such as listening to audiobooks or asking your dog to be let out.

Where was he born?

Simon Borrero was born in Cali, in departamento Valle del Cauca. If you’re planning to go there, get ready to dance – it’s the world’s salsa capital.