Even though the distribution of power, wealth and fame around the world might not suggest it, those familiar with history would find that famous Hispanic people and Latinos have often played an important role in the history of the man. From the Aztec Empire to the Spanish Inquisition, the Hispanic race may not have the same influence as their western counterparts, but they have always wielded some influence and cultural power over the rest of the world. Today, the Hispanic nation is spread across several continents – Central America, South America, North America, and Europe. It continues to develop as one of the most important regions in the world.
The identity and outlook of the Hispanic and Latino community has been shaped over the years by the lives and work of several men and women. From politics to entertainment, Latinos have made a significant contribution to the world, and through it have many known faces around the world. On this list, we want to tap into some of the famous Hispanic and Latino people in the world.
12 Famous Hispanic and Latino People
1. Shakira
It is assumed that in a list about famous HispanicPeople there are fewer more popular, recognized and accomplished faces than Shakira. Born Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, the Colombian-born singer is a pop star who has sold over 140 million records. Shakira, whose musical catalog contains iconic songs such as Hips Don’t Lie, has several albums in all major Music Award bodies. From the Grammys to Billboard, MTV and even the Golden Globe Award, Shakira has done it all. She was previously listed as one of the most powerful women in the world in 2015 and is currently a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
If Shakira’s music didn’t do enough to make her a globally recognized face, her 2010 FIFA World Cup single, ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’ assuredly assured her of it. The song has been viewed over 2 billion times on the video-sharing platform, YouTube, making it one of the most viewed videos on the platform. Simply put, when it comes to Hispanics and Latinos, he’s not much more popular than Shakira.
Che Guevara (1928-1967)
When it comes to famous Hispanic people and Latinos, arguably the most popular among them are artists and celebrities. However, some of them have also marked the political and militant world, and one of them is the famous Che Guevara. He was an Argentinian famous for his guerrilla warfare. The freedom fighter sought to liberate his people from what he saw as Western oppression, especially under the United States. He worked with other fighters such as Fidel Castro and achieved several milestones, including national literacy in Cuba and agrarian land reform.
Che Guevara was so popular all over the world, one of his photos, which was taken by Alberto Korda, has already been named the most famous photograph in the world. The photo was used today as a symbol of the rebellion against capitalism and imperialism. Of course, like most freedom fighters, he found himself in front of a gun, but not before becoming a solidified legacy as a member of the world famous Hispanic people.
3. Jennifer Lopez
If there’s one thing the Latino and Hispanic culture is known for, it’s their ability to party, and in every party, music is an important factor. This is where Jennifer Lopez shone. She is one of the most recognizable Latin artists in the world. Since starting her career in 1986 as a dancer and having her big career as the Fly Girl in In Living Color, Lopez has become a global force in both music and film.
She was recognized as the first Latin actress to earn over $1 million for a film and she has sold over 80 million records. His films also grossed a box office record of $2.9 billion. Jennifer Lopez was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2018, as part of her global fame and influence.
4. Selena (1971 – 1995)
No, not Selena Gomez, Selena Quintanilla-Perez, who was famous in the late 80s to early 90s for her music. Although she was born in America, Selena had Mexican-American and Native American roots. During her lifetime, she was an actress, singer, songwriter, fashion designer and philanthropist. It is an influence and a power that has led several magazines to name her in the list of the most influential Latin artists of all time. It is considered the sole factor in heralding a period of commercial popularity for Tejano music. During her lifetime and posthumously, Selena has sold over 65 million albums.
5. Fidel Castro (1926 – 2016)
Hardly can one say that they have not heard of thename, Fidel Castro. Certainly not those who are aware of world events. Fidel Castro was a Cuban who became President of Cuba, ruling his country from 1976 to 2008. He was responsible for several exploits, including starting the Cold War by collaborating with America’s biggest rival, the Soviet Union. He led a revolution transforming the Cuban economy and government into a communist and socialist state. Among the many titles he accumulated during his lifetime, he became the longest-serving head of state in the 20th and 21st centuries. Opinions on the Cuban leader may be divided, but his popularity has never been discussed.
6. Arnaldo Tamayo Mendez – 12 Hispanic and Latino personalities
Undoubtedly, politics and entertainment are the two fields where the most famous faces of Latin American heritage come from, but on September 18, 1980, that changed. Arnaldo Tamayo was launched into space via Soyuz 38 to become the first Latino-Black to enter space. He spent seven and a half days in space and upon his return he was named Hero of the Republic of Cuba and Hero of the Soviet Union.
7. Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio might not be a singer or an actor, but he is certainly one of the faces of the most famous Hispanic and Latino people in the world. Marco, who is currently a US Senator, challenged the Republican candidacy for President of the United States. He is a Cuban-American who has represented Florida residents since 2010. He has also served as a speaker in the Florida House of Representatives.
8. Salma Hayek
Salma Hayek may no longer be the featured week,week in blockbusters across America, but she remains one of the famous names of Hispanic heritage. The Desperado star has been a famous face representing the Latino community since her acting debut in 1988. A model and actress, her face and voice have graced some of the greatest movies in modern history, such as Puss in Boots and The Hitman’s Bodyguard. Born in Mexico, she acted in other films like Dogme and Wild Wild West. Salma Hayek’s fame comes not just from her films but from her stunning beauty.
9. Zoe Saldana
If Zoe Saldana wasn’t famous after starring in Colombiana, Takers, and The Losers, she certainly rose to fame after appearing in the popular and world famous franchise, The Guardians of the Galaxy. Zoe Saldana’s acting career has seen her establish herself as one of the most popular actresses in the business, starring in such juggernauts as Star Trek and Avatar. Born in New Jersey to a Dominican and Puerto Rican father with the full name Zoe Yadira Saldana Nazario, she is undoubtedly one of Latin America’s most famous personalities.
10. Michael Pena
Like Zoe Saldana, an actor who has definitely Michael Pena starred in a movie from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Moviegoers will know him from several movies like American Hustle, Crash, Fury, Collateral Beauty and many more, but one movie that permanently cemented Michael as a globally recognized name is his appearance in the MCU movie, Ant-Man, in 2015. His character, Luis was hailed as one of the best comedic characters in modern film and he reprized the role in the film’s sequel in 2018. The son of Mexican peasants, Michael Pena is both a famous Hispanic and a success story for many members of the Hispanic community who admire him.
11. Camila Cabello
A name that has certainly risen in profile in recent months, Camila Cabello has become one of the Hispanic and Latino personalities. After a rather successful stint as a member of girl group Fifth Harmony, she went solo and released her debut album in 2018 to enthusiastic reception. His album contains one of the best songs of 2018, Havana and Never Be the Same. If she continues on this path, she is sure to follow in the footsteps of two Latin American women higher on this list as one of the globally recognized Latinos for years to come.
12. Sofia Vergara
Modern Family fans would be very familiar with Sofia Vergara. She plays the character of Gloria on the sitcom. Those who are not fans of the series will also know her from other projects such as Machete Kills, Escape from Planet Earth, New Year’s Eve. The Colombian actress is one of the most recognizable faces in TV and film in because of her voluptuous body and unearthly beauty.