1. Jacob Kettler (1610)

Duke Of Courland

Baltic German Duke of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia who reigned from 1642 until his death forty years later. 

2. Samanta Tīna (1989)

Singer

Pop music performer who is recognized for having represented her native Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2019. She has also competed on Latvia's version of...

3. Jakob Michael Reinhold Lenz (1751)

Novelist

Jakob Michael Reinhold Lenz is a famous Novelist, who was born on January 23, 1751 in Latvia. A Baltic-German writer and dramatist associated with the Sturm und Drang movement, he...

4. Alan Melikdjanian (1980)

Latvian Filmmaker

Alan Melikdjanian, otherwise known as CaptainDisillusion, is a YouTuber known for debunking viral videos to explain the unbelievable illusions portrayed in them. His unique explanatory vlogs have earned him more...

5. Krišjānis Barons (1835)

Latvian Writer

A Latvian author of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, he is best known for organizing and categorizing Latvian folk songs and publishig the songs' texts in Latvju dainas.

6. Atis Kronvalds (1837)

Latvian Writer

A nineteenth-century writer and linguist, he was also a prominent member of the Young Latvia movement. He penned the movement's manifesto, Nationale Bestrebungen, in 1872.

7. Kārlis Balodis (1864)

Economist And Member Of The Parl

Latvian economist, professor, and statistician who taught at the University of Latvia.

8. Elza Plieksane (1865)

Poet

Latvian poet and playwright who wrote under the pen name of "Aspazija." Her feminist-themed dramatic works include Vaidelote, Silver Veil, and Simple Rights; her poetic works include Red Flowers and...

9. Andrievs Niedra (1871)

Latvian Politician

A Latvian writer, Lutheran cleric, and twentieth-century political figure, he is most remembered for his anti-socialist literary works. One of his best-known titles is The Memoirs of a Traitor to...

10. Kārlis Goppers (1876)

Latvian Soldier And Scouting Pio

Latvian military officer and the founder and President of the Latvian Scout and Guide Central Organisation.

11. Roberts Dambītis (1881)

Latvian Politician

Latvian politician known for being appointed Deputy Minister of Defense during the Independence War.

12. Alberts Kviesis (1881)

President Of Latvia

Latvian politician who served as the third President of Latvia from 1930 to 1936.

13. Krišjānis Berķis (1884)

Latvian General

Latvian general who rose to prominence as an officer of the Latvian Riflemen during World War I.

14. Leo Michelson (1887)

French Painter

Latvian-American artist whose works were considered part of the École de Paris. He was one of the pioneers of German Expressionism.

15. Zigfrids Anna Meierovics (1887)

Politician

Zigfrids Anna Meierovics is a famous Politician, who was born on February 6, 1887 in Latvia. Latvian politician and diplomat who served as the first Foreign Minister of Latvia from...

16. Edward Leedskalnin (1887)

Sculptor

Edward Leedskalnin is a famous Sculptor, who was born on January 12, 1887 in Latvia. Latvian emigrant to the United States and sculptor who built the monument known as Coral...

17. Hermanis Matisons (1894)

Latvian Chess Player

A Latvian chess player who was one of world's highest regarded chess masters in the early 1930s.

18. Zenta Mauriņa (1897)

Latvian Writer

The Latvian author of Heart Mosaic (essays), In the beginning, was joy (short stories), and The Long Journey (memoir), she was also a prominent philologist and biographer. She published her...

19. Gustavs Celmiņš (1899)

Latvian Politician

Latvian politician who was the secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1925 to 1927. He initially collaborated with the Nazis during World War II but soon began to...

20. Jānis Daliņš (1904)

Athletics (sport) Competitor

Latvian athlete who competed in the sport of race walking and won a silver Olympic medal and a gold at the European Championships.

21. Movsas Feigins (1908)

Latvian Chess Player

A Latvian chess master who became the Latvian Champion in 1932.

22. Aleksis Dreimanis (1914)

Canadian Geologist

A Canadian Quaternary geologist who was born in Valmiera, Latvia. He was the President of the American Quaternary Association from 1980 to 1982 and he was awarded the Distinguished Career...

23. Eduards Berklavs (1914)

Latvian Politician

Latvian politician known for being the deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Latvian SSR.

24. Uldis Ģērmanis (1915)

Latvian Historian

A twentieth-century historian and writer who specialized in modern Latvian history, he is known for works such as Zili stikli, zaļi ledi (Blue Glass, Green Ice) and The Latvian Saga....

25. Ginta Lapiņa (1989)

Fashion Model

Latvian model known for her campaigns with Prada, Rodarte, and Anna Sui, among others.

26. Rebeka Koha (1998)

Weight Lifter

Latvian professional weightlifter who is known for competing as part of the City Sport Latvia team sponsored by Nike. She is also known for participating in several International Weightlifting Federation...

27. Gunnar Birkerts (1925)

American Architect

Latvian-American architect who did most of his work in the metropolitan area of Detroit, Michigan. His designs included New York's Corning Museum of Glass, Minneapolis' Marquette Plaza, and Kansas City's...

28. Gunārs Astra (1931)

Latvian Human Rights Activist An

Latvian activist known for his anti-Soviet views and his work on behalf of human rights. He served time in a Soviet prison from 1961 until 1976.

29. Oļģerts Dunkers (1932)

Soviet Film Director

Latvian actor and film director best known for his film A Ghost in the Garden.

30. Mikhail Tal (1936)

Latvian Chess Player

Soviet chess master from Latvia who became just the eighth ever World Chess Champion in 1960.

31. Vladimir Bagirov (1936)

Chess Player

Soviet chess master who won the World Senior Championship in 1998 and is best remembered for suffering a heart attack and passing away during a chess match.

32. Aivars Gipslis (1937)

Chess Player

A Latvian chess Grandmaster and chess writer who represented Latvia in tournaments for many years.

33. Gints Gabrāns (1978)

Latvian Artist

Contemporary Latvian artist who became known for his new media and installation art.

34. Ārons Bogoļubovs (1938)

Judoka

Latvian judoka known best for competing for the Soviet Union in the 1964 Summer Olympics.

35. Jānis Lūsis (1939)

Latvian Javelin Thrower

Latvian athlete who competed in the javelin throw in four Summer Olympics for the USSR, winning three Olympic medals.

36. Tanhum Cohen-Mintz (1939)

Basketball Player

Tanhum Cohen-Mintz is a famous Basketball Player, who was born on October 8, 1939 in Latvia. 6’8″ Israeli center who played for Maccabi Tel Aviv from 1956 to 1972. He...

37. Baiba Broka (1973)

Movie Actress

Baiba Broka is a famous Movie Actress, who was born on January 7, 1973 in Latvia. Latvian stage, television and film actress best known for her role in the romantic...

38. Jevgenija Lisicina (1942)

Latvian Musician

Latvian organist from Russia who became known for her live performances and transcriptions.

39. Rosa von Praunheim (1942)

Director

Rosa von Praunheim is a famous Director, who was born on November 25, 1942 in Latvia. Pioneer of queer cinema, an activist in the gay rights movement, and the director...

40. Rutanya Alda (1942)

American Actor

Latvian-American actress best known for her performance in the movie The Deer Hunter.

41. Mariss Jansons (1943)

Latvian Conductor

Latvian maestro who conducted the Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert.

42. Gatis Jahovičs (1984)

Latvian Basketball Player

Latvian small forward who joined VEF Riga in 2009 after spending two seasons with ASK Riga.

43. Aminata Savadogo (1993)

Pop Singer

After rising to fame for representing her native Latvia in the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest, Savadogo released her debut album, Inner Voice, on the Universal Music label.

44. Stas Davydov (1987)

YouTube Star

Latvian YouTube host most well known as the face of the curated channel This is Хорошо. It has accumulated more than 5 million subscribers with its collection of some of...

45. Lana Zakocela (1987)

Model

Latvian fashion model based in Paris with 90,000 Instagram followers. She has modeled in campaigns for brands such as Garnier, Dior, Lancôme, Cartier and Clarins. 

46. Andris Biedriņš (1986)

Latvian Basketball Player

Latvian center known for his shot-blocking and defense; broke into the NBA with the Golden State Warriors in 2004.

47. Ingūna Butāne (1986)

Latvian Model

Model who has worked with brands including Bergdorf Goodman, L'Oréal, and Neiman Marcus, among others.

48. Mārtiņš Karsums (1986)

Latvian Ice Hockey Player

Latvian right winger who joined the Dinamo Riga of the Kontinental Hockey League in 2012.

49. Markus Riva (1986)

Pop Singer

Latvian singer who has released albums such as We Dance for Reason and How It Feels. His real name is Miķelis Ļaksa. 

50. Intars Busulis (1978)

Latvian Singer

Pop singer and songwriter who is recognized for his work with the band Caffe. In 2009, he went on to represent his home country in the Eurovision Song Contest.