List of people from the Basque Country
Appearance
This is a list of famous Basque people. It includes people born or resident in the Basque Country and people born elsewhere with significant Basque ancestry.
Artists
- Carlos Alazraqui, Television actor
- Isabel Allende, writer.
- Jean Anouilh, dramatist
- Joe Ansolabehere, animation screenwriter and producer
- Imanol Arias, actor
- Montxo Armendáriz, filmmaker.
- Pedro Armendáriz, actor
- Bernardo Atxaga, writer
- Juanma Bajo Ulloa, filmmaker
- Pío Baroja, writer
- Earl W. Bascom, artist/sculptor, actor
- Frank Bidart, poet
- Samuel Esparza, painter, artist
- Léon Bonnat, painter from Bayonne.
- Eduardo Chillida, sculptor
- Chumy Chúmez, cartoonist
- Ramona Tompkins, artist
- Juana Inés de la Cruz, Mexican poet
- Marie Darrieussecq, writer
- René Echevarria, television writer and producer.
- Liza Echeverría, Mexican actress and model
- Hector Elizondo, Puerto Rican actor
- Luisito Escauriaga (Escauriaza), storyboard artist
- María Félix, Mexican actress
- Galen Gering, Movie actor
- Agustín Ibarrola, painter
- Álex de la Iglesia, filmmaker
- Alejandro González Iñárritu, film director.
- Alfredo Landa, actor. Born in Pamplona and raised in San Sebastian.
- Mariasun Landa, writer
- Robert Laxalt, writer
- John Leguizamo(leguizamon), actor and film producer.
- Maitena, Argentinian cartoonist of Basque-Polish descent.
- Boris Izaguirre Venezuelan-Spanish scriptwriter, journalist, writer and showman.
- Jesús Mari Lazkano, painter
- Patricia Manterola, Mexican singer,actress ,model
- Julio Medem, filmmaker
- Jorge Oteiza, sculptor
- Julia Otxoa, poet
- Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, sculptor, architect.Peace Nobel Prize.
- Jorge Perugorría, Cuban actor
- Frederic Remington, artist-sculptor
- Frank J. Urioste, film editor
- Benjamin Urrutia, writer
- Jenaro de Urrutia Olaran, painter
- Matilde Urrutia, wife of Pablo Neruda
- Ignacio Zuloaga, painter
- Jorge Oteiza, sculptor
- Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oiza, architect from Navarre.
- Roberto Matta Echaurren, Painter
- Rafael Moneo, architect from Navarre.
- Paco Rabanne, fashion designer.
- Cristobal Balenciaga, fashion designer.
History related
- Doroteo Arango (Pancho Villa) Mexican revolutionary
- Earl W. Bascom, rodeo history
- Antonio Fernandez Saenz, lawyer and human-rights defender
- Dominique-Joseph Garat, writer and politician
- Martin Guerre, French peasant object of a bizarre case of identity theft
- Che Guevara, Argentinian revolutionary
- Agustin Lizarraga, Melchor Arteaga, Toribio Recarte,.: discovery of machu picchu (world's 7 wonders)
- Étienne de Silhouette, French Controller-General of Finances under Louis XV.
- Zenón de Somodevilla y Bengoechea, Marquis of Ensenada Prime Minister of Spain
- Juan de Urbieta
Journalists
- Manuel Aznar Zubigaray, Nationalist journalist turned Francoist diplomat
- Cristina Saralegui, Cuban television journalist
Musicians
- Juan de Anchieta, composer
- Juanes (Juan Esteban Aristizábal), singer and songwriter
- Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga, composer
- Manu Chao, French-born singer and political activist of Galician and Basque origin
- Placido Domingo, singer. Basque mother from Getaria.
- Mikel Erentxun and/or Diego Vasallo : (Duncan Dhu,..)
- Aita Donostia, composer
- Francisco Escudero, composer
- Tomas Garbizu, composer
- Julián Gayarre, singer from Navarre
- Jesús Guridi, composer
- Alberto Iglesias, composer. Twice nominated for Oscar.
- Paco Ibáñez, Spanish singer. His mother is Basque.
- Sebastian de Yradier y Salaverri, composer
- Jose Iturbi, Spanish-American composer, conductor, and pianist.
- Imanol Larzabal, singer
- Carlos Jean Arriaga, singer and DJ. His mother is Basque.
- Mikel Laboa, singer and songwriter
- The group La Oreja de Van Gogh with/or Amaia Montero
- Luis Mariano, singer
- The group Mocedades
- Fermin Muguruza, singer and songwriter
- Javier Maria de Munibe Idiaquez, composer
- Nemesio Otaño, composer
- Enrique Ortiz de Landázuri Izardui (aka Enrique Bunbury)
- Roland Orzabal, musician (Tears for Fears)
- Maurice Ravel, composer
- Domingo Samuido, from Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs
- Pablo Sarasate, composer.
- Pablo Sorozábal, composer
- Álex Ubago, singer
- Jaime Urrutia, singer.
- Jorge Urrutia, Chilean composer
- Jose Maria Usandizaga, composer
- Nicanor Zabaleta, musician
Business people
- Pedro Altube 'Palo Alto', Californian businessman.
- Dominique Amestoy, founder of the Farmers and Merchants Bank
- Jose María Aristrain, steel industries.
- John Arrillaga. Real State businessman in Silicon Valley and philanthropist .
- Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala, Owner of Grupo Modelo Brewery, Richest woman in Mexico
- Hilario Arbelaitz, world famous cook, main cook of the Restaurant Zuberoa
- Karlos Arguiñano, cook and entertainer
- José María Arizmendiarrieta, founder of the Mondragón cooperatives.
- Juan María Arzak, cook. Michelin stars winner.
- John Ascuaga, founder of John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino Resort, Sparks, Nevada
- Emilio Azcarraga Vidaurreta, Televisa founder.
- Martin Berasategui, cook. Michelin stars winner.
- François Cabarrus, adventurer and Spanish financier from Bayonne, father of Madame Tallien
- José Ramón Cengotitabengoa, president Society of Basque Studies in America
- John A. Elorriaga, former U.S.Bank's Chairman and CEO, president of the U.S. Bancorp
- Robert F. Erburu, former Chairman, president and CEO of the Times Mirror company
- Roberto Goizueta, Cuban Exile, Former president,Chairman and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company
- Jose María Korta ,businessmen association leader. Victim of terrorism.
- Jacques Laffitte, banker and politician
- Miguel Leonis, 'king of calabasas'. Leonis Adobe.
- José Ignacio López de Arriortúa, automotive industry
- Sir Ramón de la Sota, shipping businessman. 'Euskalduna' founder.
- Pedro Subijana, cook. Michelin stars winner.
- Zobel de Ayala family, real estate, banking, and telecommunications
- Narcisa Tamborindeguy, businesswoman & socialite
- Richard G. Navarro - Former President of AAA (American Automobile Association) Idaho.
- Joseph A. Unanue, Businessman, Goya Foods.
Clergy
- Saint Miguel Aozaraza
- Pedro Arrupe, general of the Society of Jesus.
- Martín de Azpilicueta. Navarrese
- Earl W. Bascom, Mormon Bishop
- Saint Valentín de Berrio-Ochoa
- Ignacio Ellacuría, theologian.
- Roger Cardinal Etchegaray
- Michel Garicoïts, roman catholic saint.
- Saint Domingo Ibáñez de Erquicia
- Saint Martin Loinaz
- Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus
- Francisco de Vitoria, jurist and theologian
- Saint Francis Xavier. Patron of Navarre and evangelizer of Asia.
- Miguel Zugastegui
- Friar Juan de Zumárraga
- José Maria de Zalvidea
Explorers and conquistadors
- Lope de Aguirre
- Pascual de Andagoya
- Juan Bautista de Anza I
- Juan Bautista de Anza
- Domingo de Bonechea
- Cosme Damián de Churruca y Elorza
- Juan Sebastián de Elcano
- Catalina de Erauso
- Alonso de Ercilla
- Juan de Esquivel
- Martin Ruiz de Gamboa
- Juan de Garay
- Francisco de Garay
- Martin de Goiti
- Bruno de Heceta
- Martin de Hoyarçabal
- Diego de Ibarra
- Francisco de Ibarra
- Domingo Martinez de Irala
- Miguel López de Legazpi
- Martín Ignacio de Loyola
- Juan Ortiz de Zarate
- Cristobal de Oñate
- Juan de Oñate
- Martín García Óñez de Loyola
- Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa. Basque mother.
- Jedediah Smith
- Juan de Tolosa
- Andrés de Urdaneta, conqueror of the Philippines with Legazpi
- Martin de Ursua
- Pedro de Ursua
- Pedro de Zarate
- Some of the Basque clergymen can be included in this explorers' chapter.
Politics
- Abd-ar-Rahman III, Caliph of Cordoba (his mother and paternal grandmother were Basques).
- Abd al-Rahman Sanchuelo, son Hisham II
- Michèle Alliot-Marie, French minister and mayor of Saint-Jean-de-Luz
- José Antonio Aguirre (politician), leader of Basque Nationalist Party during 1930s
- Jerry Apodaca, former Governor of New Mexico.
- Sabino Arana, founder of the Basque Nationalist Party.
- José Antonio Ardanza Garro Former Basque President
- Xabier Arzalluz, PNV leader.
- Jose Joaquin de Arrillaga, California Governor
- Rodrigo Soriano Barroeta Aldamar , politician, diplomat and writer
- Fernando Belaúnde, twice President of Peru
- David H. Bieter, mayor of Boise, Idaho
- Miguel Ángel Blanco Victim of terrorism
- Simón Bolívar, South American revolutionary whose family came from Bolibar, Biscay.
- Juan María Bordaberry, President of Uruguay
- Bryant B. Brooks, governor of Wyoming
- Fernando Buesa, Socialist member of the Basque Government
- René Cassin, jurist and judge from Bayonne, recipient of the 1968 Nobel Peace Prize
- Michel Camdessus, from Bayonne, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 1997 to 2000.
- Pete T. Cenarrusa, secretary of State of Idaho
- Luis Echeverría, president of Mexico
- Peter Echeverria, lawyer and former president of 'American Board Of Trial Advocates'.
- Vicente Emparan, involved in the Independence of Venezuela
- Pete Ernaut, state assemblyman, Nevada
- Manuel Fraga Iribarne, Spanish politician.
- Carlos Garaikoetxea, Former Basque President
- John Garamendi, Lt. Governor of California
- Emilio Garrastazu Medici, president of Brazil
- Che Guevara, revolutionary
- Hisham II, caliph of Cordoba
- Juan José Ibarretxe, Current Basque President
- Dolores Ibárruri, Pasionaria, Communist leader from Gallarta
- Ignace-Michel-Louis-Antoine d'Irumberry de Salaberry, politician
- Agustín de Iturbide, Emperor of Mexico
- José de Iturrigaray,viceroy of New Spain.
- Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo(Larrasolo), former governor of New Mexico.
- Paul Laxalt, Governor of Nevada and US Senator for Nevada
- Jesús María de Leizaola Sánchez Former Basque President
- Jaime Mayor Oreja Former Interior Minister, leader of the PP in the European Parliament
- Telesforo de Monzón, founder of Ertzaina regional police and Herri Batasuna party
- Martín de Mujica y Buitrón, gobernor of Chile from 1646 to 1649
- Arnaldo Otegi, former leader Batasuna party
- José F. Ozámiz, Philippine senator from Misamis Occidental
- Ron Parraguirre, Nevada Supreme Court Justice
- Eva Peron, Argentine first lady
- Indalecio Prieto, Socialist politician
- Ramón Rubial Cavia, Spanish Socialist leader
- File:BanderaGranColombia.png Rafael Urdaneta, last president of the Republic of Great Colombia
- Roberto Urdaneta, President of Colombia
- Álvaro Uribe Vélez, current President of Colombia.
- Carlos Luis de Urrutia, governor of Santo Domingo
- Francisco Jose Urrutia, Panamanian diplomat and statesman
- Manuel Urrutia, President of Cuba
- Ben Ysursa, Secretary of State of Idaho
- Idoia Zenarrutzabeitia, Basque Vice-President
- Máxima Zorreguieta, Argentinian wife of the heir of the Dutch throne
- Tomás de Zumalacárregui, Carlist general
- Don Diego de Gardoqui, diplomat
See also Iñigo Arista, Kings of Navarre
Sports
- Javier Aguirre, football coach and former footballer
- Luis Arconada, footballer
- Xabi Alonso, footballer
- Amezola, olympic gold medal.Paris 1900.
- Mikel Arteta, footballer
- Rodolfo Arruabarrena, el Vasco, footballer
- Adolfo "Tito" Antuñano, 1967 world champion slalom waterskier
- Earl W. Bascom, rodeo, Hall of Fame
- Txiki Beguiristain, footballer
- Joseba Beloki, cyclist
- Alberto Berasategui, tennis player
- Josune Bereziartu, Best rock climber woman in the world.
- Serge Blanco, rugby player (Basque mother)
- Jean Borotra, tennis player .Olympic medal Paris 1924.
- Jorge Burruchaga, footballer. World cup winner.
- Juan Curuchet, cyclist, olympic gold medal Beijing 2008
- Didier Deschamps, footballer
- Anthony Dupuis, professional tennis player from Bayonne.
- Pierre Etchebaster, real tennis
- Jean Etcheberry, rugby player , olympic medal 1924.
- Pierre Etchegaray, olympic gold medal.Paris 1900.
- Marco Etcheverry, Bolivian footballer
- Joseba Etxeberria, footballer
- Xabier Fernandez Gaztañaga, sayling 49er ;Olympic gold in 2004 & Olympic silver in 2008.
- José Eulogio Gárate, footballer
- Andoni Goikoetxea, the Butcher of Bilbao footballer
- Sergio Goycochea, footballer
- Imanol Harinordoquy, rugby player
- Miguel Indurain, Navarrese cyclist. Five times Tour de France winner, Olympic gold medal Atlanta 1996.
- Alberto Iñurrategi, mountaineer
- José Ángel Iribar, footballer
- José Luis Korta, rowing recordman.
- Luis María Lasúrtegui Berridi , rowing olympic medal.1984.
- Marino Lejarreta, cyclist. Vuelta España winner.
- Bixente Lizarazu, footballer. World Cup winner.
- Iker Martínez de Lizarduy , sailing 49er ; Olympic gold in 2004 & Olympic silver in 2008.
- Iban Mayo, cyclist
- Leire Olaberria, cyclist.Olympic medal Beijing 2008.
- Abraham Olano, cyclist.Olympic medal Atlanta 1996.
- Juanito Oiarzabal, mountaineer. World record holder.
- Julio Olarticoechea, footballer. World cup winner.
- José María Olazábal, golfer and winner of the The Masters Tournament
- Javier Otxoa Palacios, cyclist
- Iñaki Perurena, stone-lifting recordman .
- Miguel de la Quadra Salcedo, athlete, journalist and adventurer.
- Julián Retegi, Pelota player
- Joane Somarriba, cyclist
- Jose Luis de Ugarte, brave solo-circumnavigator
- Iñaki Urdangarín, His Excellency The Duke of Palma de Mallorca, Olympic Mens's Handball Bronze Medalist
- Patricio Urrutia, World Cup footballer
- José Ibar Urtain, boxer
- Ismael Urzaiz, footballer
- Patxi Usobiaga, rock climbing world champion
- Paulino Uzcudun, boxer
- Pichichi, footballer
- Ted Williams, Former Major League Baseball Player
- Telmo Zarraonaindía, also known as "Zarra", footballer
- Andoni Zubizarreta, footballer
Note: Footballer = Soccer football player
- Jeret Peterson, Mallea Family Olympic Skiier & World Cup Champion.
Note: Olympic Winter Sports - Freestyle Skiing
Astronauts
- Léopold Eyharts, ESA astronaut, first Basque in space.
Scientists
- Jesus Altuna, archaezoologist ,paleontologist
- Telesforo Aranzadi, scientist
- José Miguel de Barandiaran, anthropologist, paleontologist and Catholic priest
- Florence Bascom, geologist
- Antoine-Thomson d'Abbadie, explorer, anthropologist, linguist and astronomer
- Louis Daguerre, inventor of photography
- Armand David, priest/zoologist/botanist, first European to discover the Giant Panda
- José de Echegaray, mathematician
- Pedro Miguel Echenique, scientist
- Fausto Elhúyar and José Elhuyar, first to isolate wolfram/tungsten.
- Pierre Hérigone, mathematician and astronomer.
- Nicolas Louis de Lacaille
Writers
- Ignacio Aldecoa
- Gabriel Aresti
- Bernardo Atxaga
- Pedro Agerre Axular
- José de Arteche
- Resurreción María de Azkue
- Pío Baroja
- Alexandre Dumas fils (Basque mother)
- Salvador Elizondo
- Lucía Etxebarria. Born in Valencia to Basque parents.
- José de Echegaray Eizaguirre. Literature Nobel Prize 1904.
- Bernard Etxepare
- Juan Pablo Fusi, historian
- Esteban de Garibay,16th C. Historian
- Jon Juaristi
- Robert Laxalt
- Joanes Leizarraga
- Xabier Lizardi
- Jose Manterola
- José Carlos Mariátegui
- Gabriela Mistral. Lucila Godoy Alcayaga. Literature nobel prize.
- Koldo Mitxelena, linguist
- Juan Antonio Mogel
- Arnauld de Oihenart
- Nikolas Ormaetxea Orixe
- Ramiro Pinilla
- Joseba Sarrionandia
- Alfonso Sastre
- José Ignacio Tellechea Idígoras. Historian, Theologian
- Miguel de Unamuno
- Kirmen Uribe
- Estepan Urkiaga Lauaxeta
- Ignacio Jose Urrutia, Cuban historian
- Agustin Xaho
Philosophers
- Frédéric Bastiat, classical liberal author and political economist
- John Etchemendy , Stanford University's provost.
- Castor Narvarte
- Javier Sádaba
- Fernando Savater
- Miguel de Unamuno, also listed as writer.
- Xavier Zubiri
Patrons of the Arts
- Juan Antonio de Urrutia y Arana, Mexican patron of the arts.
- Pedro Viteri , philanthropist
- Rodrigo Mercado de Zuazola , bishop. Founded in 1540 the 'University of Sancti Spiritus' known as 'University of Oñate'.
Military
- Carlos de Amésquita (Amezqueta),his expedition disembarked in England.
- José de Armendáriz
- Martin de Bertendona
- Eugene W. Biscailuz, Sheriff - Los Angeles county - .Founded 'California Highway Patrol'.
- Cosme Damián de Churruca y Elorza
- Catalina de Erauso
- Antonio de Gaztañeta
- Jean Isidore Harispe
- Juan de Lezcano
- Blas de Lezo ,defeated British Navy in Cartagena Indias. Largest naval engagement before D-day
- Henning von Ondarza, German general and NATO commander
- Martín García Óñez de Loyola
- Charles de Salaberry