20 Most Famous People from Colombia

20 Most Famous People from Colombia

*Originally published by Charity N in February 2023 and Updated by Ian. S in March 2024

Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in South America with an insular region in North America.  It is classified as an upper middle-income economy and is one of Latin America’s largest economies. The country’s economy is based on its rich natural resources. It is famous for the mines of Muzo, Chivor, and Coscuez located in the Andes Mountains. This region produces the world’s finest Emeralds. About 70-90% of the Emeralds in the world come from Colombia! Just like these rare stones, it is home worldwide famous people worldwide. It has produced literary legends from Gabriel Garcia Marquez to artistic icons like Fernando Botero. Here we shall look at these and many other famous and influential people who come from the small island nation.

Read more on 15 Cool Facts about Colombia

1. Shakira

Shakira for Vogue Taiwan in 2021. Image by Condé Nast (through Vogue Taiwan) – Wikimedia

At the top of the pile is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll. She is a singer, songwriter, producer, actress, and model. She was born in the city of Barranquilla on February 2, 1977. She is perhaps the most famous Colombian vocalist in the world.  She is of Lebanese and Colombian descent.

She has become an icon of the latter culture, being the best-selling female artist in Latin music in history. She is best known for songs including “Hips Don’t Lie,” and “Whenever, Wherever”, which sold 5 million copies. In 2010 Shakira performed “Waka Waka” which became the official song of the 2010 World Cup.

With 80 million albums sold worldwide, she is one of the most popular Colombian artists! Sony Music and Billboard even recognize her as the Queen of Latin pop.

2. J. Balvin

J Balvin. Image by festivaldevinachile – Wikimedia

José Álvaro Osorio Balvin, born in 1985 in Medellín, better known as J Balvin, is a Colombian singer and record producer, Hip hop urban music pop Latin trap Latino reguetón. After several years of experimentation with various musical styles in the clubs and streets of Medellín, where he adopted his stage name, he found success with the Latin Grammy-nominated song 6 AM. Ay Vamos and Mi Gente tracks did even better.

He has managed to position himself in both the Hispanic and English-speaking music markets, placing his songs at the top of several music charts. He has made collaborations with the likes of Daddy Yankee, Juan Gabriel, French Montana, Arcángel, Farruko, Maroon 5, and many other acclaimed artists. He has currently numerous awards including MTV Video Music Award and Latin Grammy Awards.

Read more on the Top 10 Most Famous Colombian Singers

3. Sofía Vergara

Sofía Vergara for Foster Grant See Beautifully campaign in 2020. Image by Britt Bellamy – Wikimedia

Vergara is a notable model, actress, and entrepreneur. She has led a successful career both in Columbia and the US. We see her in commercials and advertising campaigns for big companies like Pepsi, McDonald’s, Colgate, and Miller Light. Her biggest success has been Modern Family where she plays Gloria.

Her part got her nominated for three Golden Globe Awards, four Primetime Emmy Awards, and seven Screen Actors Guild Awards. When she got the role, she pushed for the character to have the same background as hers. They changed it from Mexican to Colombian. This was a good move as the role shed light on Colombian culture and customs.

Read more on the Top 10 Most Inspiring Colombian Women

4. Maluma

Maluma in 2018. Image by MTV International – Wikimedia

Maluma, is a Colombian pop, reggaeton, and Latin trap singer. He was scouted at age 15 and was signed by Sony Music Colombia and quickly produced several hit tracks, including the breakthrough album Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy.

He became famous in his native country in 2011, thanks to the singles Farandulera, Obsesión, and La temperatura, and with Carnaval in the rest of Latin America. The 37-year-old has bagged numerous awards which stands at 272 nominations and 66 wins.

5. Carlos Vives

Jorge Drexler and Carlos Vives. Image by Tony Dandrades – Wikimedia

Carlos Alberto Vives Restrepo is a Colombian singer, songwriter, and actor. Throughout his career, he has shown impeccable talent.  He has been honored countless times and is the owner of more than 10 Latin Grammy, Billboard, and “Lo Nuestro” awards.

He has opened to the world with his particular music, his songs of rock and pop or its more traditional mixes between Cumbia and Vallenato have uniquely impelled him also exalting his incredible talent.

6. Pablo Escobar

Sorry Colombians, but we just had to look at the infamous drug lord from Colombia, Pablo Escobar. He was the sole leader of the Medellin Cartel and became a billionaire through the production and distribution of cocaine. He amassed such great wealth that even today his money is still being discovered. The film Narcos clearly outlines the story of the famous king of cocaine.

He was a very elusive drug trafficker and was on the run for more than 7 years. His hideout was finally discovered and when the police evaded the house, he ran out through the roof. A chase and a shootout ensued, and he was fatally shot.

7. Juanes

Juanes. Image by LivePict.com – Wikimedia

Juanes is a Colombian author, composer, and performer. He formed the band Ekhymosis in the late 80s but fared better in his solo career: his first two albums, Fíjate Bien and Un Día Normal earned him national acclaim and nine Latin Grammy Awards.  

He has currently won several Latin Grammys and in his musical life has managed to sell more than 16 million albums around the world. In addition, the talented artist can easily play instruments such as guitar, flute, piano, and electric guitar.

8. Fernando Botero

Sculptor by Fernando Botero. Image by Fernando Botero – Wikimedia

He is a renowned artist who had been a painter and sculptor for 20 years before he became famous! So hold your horses, there is still time to be the greatest! And get this; his childhood dream was to be a bullfighter. When he began using his now-known trademark style known as “Boterismo” which is round and inflated figures, he became a hit.

His style is instantly recognizable; he tends to favor large and exaggerated figures. Such forms are mostly associated with the human form. His paintings and sculptures adorn museums worldwide and he is considered the most recognized and quoted living artist from Latin America.

9. Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Makondo, a restaurant/hotel, located in the walled city of Cartagena de Indias pays homage to Gabriel García Márquez. Image by Sergiodbotero – – Wikimedia

He is an author and a Nobel Prize winner. He grew up around his grandparents who often narrated stories to him. The stories which were commonly composed of ghosts and war greatly inspired him. They brought forth the literary style of magical realism which is portrayed in his novels.

His work is so visual that it was easy to produce as film. He is particularly well known for One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967) and Love in the Time of Cholera (1985). After he died, the then-president termed him “the greatest Colombian who ever lived.”

10. Carlos Valderrama

Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama, Colombian soccer player. Image by Biser Todorov – Wikimedia

He is a footballer who plays the position of midfielder. He had an impressive career for more than 20 years, from 1981 – 2022. He was as talented as he was good-looking. His beautiful blond afro hair and his skills as a footballer made him one of the most famous footballers in Colombia.

He was a pioneer of Major League Soccer (MLS). He greatly influenced Colombian footballers to get a place in the league. In 2004, he was in the FIFA 100, a list of “greatest living footballers” chosen by Pelé to celebrate the 100th anniversary of FIFA. 

Read more on Top 10 Colombian Soccer Players

11. James Rodriguez 

jmmuguerza, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

James David Rodríguez Rubio is a talented Colombian football player who currently plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for the Brazilian club São Paulo and the Colombian national team. Lauded for his technical ability, speed, vision, and playmaking skills, Rodríguez was often viewed as the heir to legendary countryman Carlos Valderrama.

Rodríguez first gained recognition in Europe during his time at Porto, winning many honors over three seasons. In 2014, he transferred from Monaco to Real Madrid for €80 million, becoming the most expensive Colombian player ever at the time.

In his debut La Liga season, he was named to the league’s Best XI and won Midfielder of the Year. He has since played for clubs like Bayern Munich, Everton, Al-Rayyan, and Olympiacos before joining São Paulo in 2023.

Internationally, Rodríguez represented Colombia across all youth levels, captaining the under-20 side that won the 2011 Toulon Tournament.

He made his senior debut in 2011 at just 20 years old. Rodríguez starred at the 2014 World Cup, winning the Golden Boot, and later helped Colombia to a third-place finish at Copa América 2016.

12. Catherine Siachoque

Al Vazquez, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Catherine Siachoque is a Colombian actress best known for playing villainous roles in numerous Telemundo telenovelas over the years. She has appeared in series like “Pecados ajenos,” “Tierra de Pasiones,” “Te voy a enseñar a querer,” “La Venganza,” “Amantes del Desierto,” and the anthology “Decisiones.”

Though often typecast as the antagonist, some consider her character Doña Hilda de Santana in “Sin Senos no hay Paraíso” to be more multi-dimensional. In 2010 she played another villainess, Cecilia Altamira, in the Telemundo remake of “Dónde Está Elisa?”

The following year she took on a complex role in “La Casa de al Lado,” where she was the mistress of her real-life husband’s character. She interacted with co-stars Maritza Rodríguez, Gabriel Porras, and Karla Monroig.

Siachoque returned to straightforward villainy in 2014’s “Reina de Corazónes” before reprising her landmark role of Hilda Santana in “Sin senos sí hay paraíso” in 2016.

13. Charlie Zaa

CB24, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Carlos Alberto Sánchez, better known by his stage name Charlie Zaa, is a Colombian singer and son of famous singer Luis Humberto Sánchez.

Zaa got his start singing salsa music in popular Colombian groups like Grupo Niche and Guayacán. However, when he launched his solo career in the mid-90s, he decided to switch genres and focus on bolero ballads instead.

In July 2004, Zaa was hospitalized in Puerto Rico shortly before a scheduled concert due to severe abdominal pains. He was flown to Miami for continued treatment before ultimately having surgery in Colombia for a kidney condition.

14. Carmen Villalobos

Maritza Ariza Periodista, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Carmen Villalobos is a Colombian actress and model best known for her breakthrough role as Catalina Santana in the telenovela “Sin senos no hay paraíso.”

This series was based on Gustavo Bolívar’s novel “Sin tetas no hay paraíso.” She later landed another major part as Leonor Ballesteros in Telemundo’s “El Señor de los Cielos” series. Villalobos has also played Alejandra Paz in the Telemundo show “Niños Ricos, Pobres Padres.”

More recently, she reprised her iconic role of Catalina Santana for the spinoff series “Sin senos sí hay paraíso,” which follows characters from Bolívar’s sequel novel. She initially had a smaller part in the first season before being promoted to a lead role in the second season.

15. Paula Garcés

Joella Marano, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Paula Garcés is a Colombian-born American actress who has had roles in numerous popular films and TV shows over the past few decades. Some of her well-known movie credits include Clockstoppers, the Harold and Kumar films, and Man of the House opposite Tommy Lee Jones.

On television, she has guest starred on CSI: Miami, The Shield, Law and Order: SVU, The Sopranos, Oz, and other hit series. She also played regular roles on shows like Defying Gravity, Warehouse 13, and The Shield.

Recently, Garcés appeared as Ruby’s mom in the Netflix coming-of-age series On My Block as well as its spinoff Freeridge. Other career highlights include co-starring with Michelle Pfeiffer in Dangerous Minds, starring in the Paramount film Clockstoppers, and appearing in multiple music videos.

She has shown versatility in her acting across genres ranging from teen comedies to hard-hitting dramas.

16. Ana Lucía Domínguez 

Negocios En Tu Mundo, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ana Lucía Domínguez Tobón is a Colombian actress and model who dreamed of an acting career after seeing her idol Margarita Rosa de Francisco’s multifaceted talents.

Domínguez began doing commercials on TV at just 9 years old, and got her big break playing the lead role in the soap opera “Hermosa Niña.” She gained further fame as a presenter on the show “Los Angeles de la Mega.” Internationally, she had her breakthrough performance in the telenovela “Pasion de Gavilanes,” becoming a huge star across Latin America and Spain.

She has posed nude for major magazines like Interviu and SoHo and starred in Telemundo’s “Perro Amor” in 2009. That same year she also acted in the Colombian series “El Fantasma del Gran Hotel.”

Other career highlights include starring with her husband Jorge Cárdenas in “La Traicionera” and showcasing her singing talents on “Perro Amor.” Through diverse roles, Domínguez has displayed impressive talents as an actress, singer, model, and TV host.

17. Jorge Enrique Abello

Canal BoxMov.com, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Jorge Enrique Abello is a prolific Colombian actor best known for his performances in numerous popular telenovelas over the past few decades. He had breakout lead roles in Betty La Fea opposite Ana Maria Orozco and other 1990s telenovelas.

Other major credits include Eco Moda, Julius, La Costeña y el Cachaco, Anita No Te Rajes, and Aquí No Hay Quien Viva – his first role overseas. More recently he played Dr. Mauricio Hernandez on the Colombian medical drama A Corazón Abierto in 2010.

In 2012 Abello co-starred on Donde Está Elisa? He has showcased his talents in a variety of memorable roles, establishing himself as one of Colombia’s most prominent actors known for his performances in some of the country’s classic telenovelas.

18. Juan Pablo Montoya

Zach Catanzareti Photo, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Juan Pablo Montoya is a highly accomplished Colombian race car driver who has competed across various motorsports categories including open-wheel, sports cars, and NASCAR.

He first gained notice winning the Indy 500 and CART championship in 2000. Montoya later transitioned to Formula One, securing 7 pole positions and multiple wins for Williams and McLaren from 2001-2006.

 After moving stateside full-time in 2007, he tallied three NASCAR Cup Series victories over a seven-year stint while driving for Chip Ganassi Racing. Since 2014, Montoya has mainly raced IndyCars and sports cars, highlighted by winning the 2015 Indianapolis 500 and 2019 IMSA championship.

With versatile driving talents, Montoya has achieved success across open-wheel, stock cars, endurance racing, and more while claiming some of motorsports’ biggest prizes like the Indy 500 and Rolex 24.

His Colombian roots have also been honored with three victories in the 6 Hours of Bogotá event.

19. Patricia Janiot

Rick Reinhard (via Inter-American Dialogue), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ángela Patricia Janiot Martirena is a Colombian-American journalist and former model and beauty queen. Before entering the broadcasting world, Janiot had competed in the 1983 Miss Colombia pageant, winning the Miss Mundo Colombia title and representing her country at the 1984 Miss World pageant in London, where she was a Top 15 semifinalist.

She went on to have an over 25-year career at CNN en Español, where she established herself as a highly respected figure in Latin American journalism as the network’s senior news anchor.

Most recently, Janiot served as a news anchor and senior correspondent for Noticias Univision, further cementing her reputation as a prominent voice in Spanish-language news media.

Throughout her successful career shift from pageantry to journalism, she has leveraged her public profile in Colombia to become an iconic figure for Latin American viewers across multiple major networks.

20. Karol G

Programas Telemedellín, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Karol G is a Grammy award-winning Colombian urbano singer considered one of Latin music’s most influential contemporary artists. She first gained notice as a teenager on Colombia’s X Factor before relocating to NYC in 2014 to pursue a recording deal.

Breakout hits “Ahora Me Llama” and “A Ella” led to her smash 2017 debut album Unstoppable. She’d collaborate with boyfriend Anuel AA on 2018’s “Secreto” and see single “Mi Cama” cross over stateside. 2019 brought creative evolution via the more relaxed Ocean, while “Tusa” with Nicki Minaj became a huge international hit.

Through the pandemic, Karol G cemented superstardom on the strength of anthems like “Bichota” and “Location.” She made history in 2023, becoming the first female Latin artist with a Spanish album to top the US Billboard 200.

Her versatile style and empowering lyrics have garnered industry accolades, plus over a billion YouTube views.