List of people from the Basque Country

Last updated March 18, 2025

This is a list of notable Basque people . For this purpose, people considered are those hailing from the extended Basque Country (includes the Basque Autonomous Community, the French Basque Country and Navarre).

In the arts

Anabel Alonso, actress.
Álex Angulo, actor.
Joe Ansolabehere, animation screenwriter.
Tomas Arana, actor.
Montxo Armendáriz, filmmaker.
Aurelio Arteta, writer and painter.
Juanma Bajo Ulloa, filmmaker.
Cristóbal Balenciaga, fashion designer.
Ricardo Baroja, painter, writer and engraver.
Nestor Basterretxea, painter, sculptor and filmmaker.
Camren Bicondova, actress.
Bernard Blancan, actor.
Eduardo Chillida, sculptor.
Juan de Echevarría, painter.
Baltasar de Echave, painter.
Hector Elizondo, actor.
Victor Erice, film director.
Karra Elejalde, actor.
Jacob Elordi, actor.
Marta Etura, actress.
Jose Etxenagusia, painter.
Menchu Gal, painter.
Ibn Gharsiya, Basque Muslim poet.
Adolfo Guiard, painter.
Barbara Goenaga, actress.
Alejandro González Iñárritu, filmmaker.
Miren Ibarguren, actress.
Agustín Ibarrola, painter.
Maite Idirin, singer
Álex de la Iglesia, filmmaker.
Adam Irigoyen, actor and singer.
Itziar Ituño, actress.
Francisco Iturrino, painter.
Lucía Lacarra, dancer.
Alfredo Landa, actor.
Carmen Larrabeiti, actress.
Guillermo Larrazábal, stained glass artist.
Jesús Mari Lazkano, painter.
John Leguizamo, actor.
Rebeca Linares, pornographic actress.
Paul Mayeda Berges, screenwriter.
Julio Médem, film director.
Antonio Mercero, film director.
Rafael Moneo, architect.
Najwa Nimri, actress.
Jorge Oteiza, sculptor.
Hayley Orrantia, actress.
Paco Rabanne, fashion designer.
Pierre Richard-Willm, sculptor.
Dolores del Río, actress.
Henry Roussel, actor
Blanquita Suárez, actress and singer.
Natalia Tena, actress.
Unax Ugalde, actor
Eduardo Úrculo, sculptor.
Jenaro de Urrutia Olaran, painter.
Achille Zo, painter.
Ignacio Zuloaga, painter.
Iván Zulueta, film director
Daphne Zuniga, actress.

Astronauts

Léopold Eyharts, astronaut.

Business people

Dominique Amestoy, banker, founder of Farmers and Merchants Bank.
José María Arizmendiarrieta, founder of the Mondragón cooperatives.
John Arrillaga,^[1] real estate businessman, Silicon Valley.
Jacques Bergerac, actor, and business executive with Revlon.
François Cabarrus, adventurer and Spanish financier.
Cristina Garmendia
José Ignacio Goirigolzarri, president of Bankia.
Roberto Goizueta, chief executive officer of Coca-Cola.
Simón Iturri Patiño, business magnate.
Casilda Iturrizar, businessperson and philanthropist.
Jacques Laffitte, banker and politician.
Miguel Leonis
Elías Querejeta, screenwriter and film producer.
Joseph A. Unanue, businessman, president of Goya Foods.
Enrique Zobel y de Ayala, Filipino industrialist, patriarch of the Zobel de Ayala family.

Chefs

Clergy

Educators

Daniela Albizu (1936-2015), Basque-language teacher, writer, and councillor
Elbira Zipitria (1906–1982), innovative Spanish-Basque educator promoting use of the Basque language

Historical figures

Bahlul Ibn Marzuq, Basque Muslim rebel.
Berengaria of Navarre, Queen of England.
Count Cassius, founder of Banu Qasi dynasty.
Vicente Emparán, 19th century Capitan General of Venezuela
Martin Guerre, historical French victim of identity theft.
Jon Manteca, activist.
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands
Musa ibn Musa al-Qasi, ruler of Banu Qasi dynasty.
Eva Perón, First Lady of Argentina.
Jean Vrolicq, Basque whaler.

Journalists

Models

Musicians

Pablo de Sarasate Sarasate.gif — Pablo de Sarasate

Juan Aguirre, musician
Uxue Alberdi, bertsolari and writer
Miren Amuriza, bertsolari and writer
Juan de Anchieta, composer
Tom Araya, musician
David Archuleta, singer
Maite Arruabarrena (born 1964), operatic singer
Javier Bello-Portu, composer
Carmelo Bernaola, 20th century composer
Cedric Bixler-Zavala, singer
Manu Chao, musician
Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga, composer^[2]
Aita Donostia, composer
Federico Elizalde, Filipino jazz bandleader
Pepita Embil, soprano
Mikel Erentxun, singer
Anne Etchegoyen, singer
Iosu Expósito, singer
Cesáreo Gabaráin, songwriter
Julián Gayarre, singer
Jesús Guridi, composer^[3]
Alberto Iglesias, composer, twice nominated for Oscar
Rafael Anton Irisarri, composer
José Iturbi, composer, pianist
Pedro Iturralde, musician
Lauren Jauregui, singer
Mikel Laboa, singer-songwriter
Benito Lertxundi, musician
Luis Mariano, singer
Leire Martínez, singer-songwriter
Carlos Mena, opera singer
Amaia Montero, singer-songwriter
Fermin Muguruza, singer-songwriter
Roland Orzabal, musician, singer-songwriter, Tears for Fears band
Maurice Ravel, composer
Inma Shara, orchestral conductor
Pablo de Sarasate, composer
Pablo Sorozábal, composer
Álex Ubago, singer
José María Usandizaga, composer
Sebastian de Yradier y Salaverri, composer
Nicanor Zabaleta, musician
Amaia Zubiria (born 1947), pop singer

Philosophers

Joxe Azurmendi (born 1941)
Alain Etchegoyen (1951–2007)
John Etchemendy (born 1952)
Ángel Gabilondo (born 1949)
Juan Huarte de San Juan (1530–1588)
Pedro Hurtado de Mendoza (1578–1641)
Antenor Orrego (1892–1960)
Fernando Savater (born 1947)
Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936)
Xavier Zubiri (1898–1983)

Political figures

José Antonio Aguirre, lehendakari during the Spanish Civil War.
Sabino Arana, father of Basque nationalism.
José Antonio Ardanza Garro, lehendakari (1985-1999).
José María de Areilza, politician and diplomat.
José Luis de Arrese, leading politician with Falange.
Xabier Arzalluz, significant PNV figure in the late 20th century.
Uxue Barkos, journalist and president of Navarre 2015-2019
Doris Benegas, lawyer and political activist on the left.
Esteban de Bilbao Eguía, Francoist politician.
René Cassin, Nobel Peace Prize (1968)
Pete T. Cenarrusa, US politician, native speaker of Euskera and advocate for Basque culture in Idaho, USA.
Begoña Errazti, politician in Navarra.
Carlos Garaikoetxea, former lehendakari.
Dominique-Joseph Garat, writer and politician.
Diego de Gardoqui, diplomat.
Juan José Ibarretxe, former lehendakari.
Dolores Ibárruri, La Pasionaria.
José de Iturrigaray, viceroy of New Spain.
Ramón Jáuregui, PSOE vice-lehendakari
Jesús María de Leizaola Sánchez, former lehendakari.
José Félix de Lequerica, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain.
Patxi López, former lehendakari.
Telesforo de Monzón, founder of Ertzaintza and the Herri Batasuna party.
Martín de Mujica y Buitrón, Governor of Chile from 1646 to 1649.
José María Oriol, Francoist politician and businessman.
Arnaldo Otegi, former leader of the Batasuna party.
Imanol Pradales, lehendakari from June 2024.
Ramón Rubial Cavia, Spanish Socialist leader.
Étienne de Silhouette, Controller-General of Finances under Louis XV.
Arantza Quiroga, president of the Basque PP.
Miguel Sanz, president of the autonomous community of Navarre from 1996 to 2011.
Iñigo Urkullu, lehendakari from 2012-2024.

Scientists

Antoine-Thomson d'Abbadie, explorer, anthropologist, linguist and astronomer.
Julian de Ajuriaguerra, neuropsychiatrist and psychoanalyst.
Gurutzi Arregi, ethnographer.
José Miguel Barandiaran, anthropologist, paleontologist.
Juan Ignacio Cirac Sasturain, physicist.
Armand David, zoologist, botanist.
F. J. Duarte, physicist and author.
Fausto Elhúyar and José Elhuyar, physicists.
Manuel Elizalde, anthropologist.
Pedro Miguel Etxenike, physicist.
Pierre Hérigone, mathematician, astronomer.
Luis Federico Leloir, Nobel prize chemist.
Mikel Zalbide, linguist.

Sportspeople

Izaskun Aramburu, sprint canoeist
Virginia Berasategui, triathlete
Josune Bereziartu, rock climber
José Biriukov, basketball player
Frenchy Bordagaray, baseball player
Maialen Chourraut, slalom canoeist
Almudena Cid, rhythmic gymnast
Carlota Ciganda, golfer
Lucas Eguibar (born 1994), snowboarder
Ander Elosegi, slalom canoeist
Gabriel Esparza, taekwondo practitioner
Andy Etchebarren, baseball player
Pierre Etchebaster, real tennis player
Annie Famose (born 1944), alpine skier, 1966 world slalom champion
Xabier Fernández Gaztañaga, sailor
Martín Fiz (born 1963), athlete, 1995 marathon world champion
Shayne Gostisbehere, ice hockey player
Lorena Guréndez, rhythmic gymnast
Jimmie Heuga, skier
Alberto Iñurrategi, mountaineer
Valeri Kharlamov, ice hockey player
Tania Lamarca, rhythmic gymnast
Jim Larranaga, basketball coach
Luis María Lasúrtegui Berridi, rowing
Ryan Lochte, swimmer
Juan Manuel López Iturriaga, basketball player
Carlos Loyzaga, basketball player
Estíbaliz Martínez, rhythmic gymnast
Iker Martínez de Lizarduy, sailor
Moncho Monsalve, basketball coach
Teresa Motos, field hockey player
Juanito Oiarzabal, mountaineer
José María Olazábal, golfer^[4]
Richard Oribe, paralympic swimmer
Edurne Pasaban, mountaineer
María Quintanal, sport shooter
Jon Rahm, golfer
Maider Tellería, field hockey player
Herri Torrontegui, motorcycle racer
Patxi Usobiaga, sport climber
Paulino Uzcudun, boxer
Alejandro Villanueva, american footballer
Ted Williams, baseball player
Maite Zúñiga (born 1964), athlete, middle distance runner

Cycling

Igor Antón (born 1983)
Igor Astarloa (born 1976), world champion
Joseba Beloki (born 1973)
Pello Bilbao (born 1990)
Mikel Bizkarra (born 1989)
Mariano Cañardo (1906-1987)
Jonathan Castroviejo (born 1987)
Imanol Erviti (born 1983)
Omar Fraile (born 1990)
Francisco Gabica (1937-2014), Vuelta a España winner
Francisco Galdós (born 1947)
Juan Manuel Gárate (born 1976)
Iñaki Gastón (born 1963)
Aitor González (born 1975), Vuelta a España winner
Igor González de Galdeano (born 1973)
Miguel Indurain,^[4] (born 1964), 5-time Tour de France winner, 2-time Giro d'Italia winner
Gorka Izagirre (born 1987)
Ion Izagirre (born 1989)
Mikel Landa (born 1989)
Dalmacio Langarica (1919-1985), Vuelta a España winner
Guy Lapébie (1916-2010)
Roger Lapébie (1911-1996), Tour de France winner
Miguel María Lasa (born 1947)
Marino Lejarreta (born 1957), Vuelta a España winner
David López (born 1981)
Jesús Loroño (1926-1998), Vuelta a España winner
Egoi Martínez (born 1978)
Eider Merino (born 1994)
Mikel Nieve (born 1984)
Isidro Nozal (born 1977)
Leire Olaberria (born 1977)
Abraham Olano (born 1970), Vuelta a España winner
Aitor Osa (born 1973)
Unai Osa (born 1975)
Luis Otaño (born 1934)
Javier Otxoa (1974-2018)
Domingo Perurena (born 1943)
Óscar Rodríguez (born 1995)
Gregorio San Miguel (born 1940)
Ane Santesteban (born 1990)
Romain Sicard (born 1988)
Joane Somarriba (born 1972), 2-time Giro d'Italia Femminile winner
Eusebio Vélez (1935-2020)
Mikel Zarrabeitia (born 1970)
Haimar Zubeldia (born 1977)

Football

Aritz Aduriz (born 1981), former Spanish international
Xabi Alonso (born 1981), former Spanish international, 2010 World Cup winner, 2008 & 2012 European Championship winner
Luis Arconada (born 1954), former Spanish international
Kepa Arrizabalaga (born 1994), Spanish international
Mikel Arteta (born 1982), former midfielder and manager
Pako Ayestaran (born 1971), former player and manager
César Azpilicueta (born 1989), Spanish international
Philippe Bergeroo (born 1954), former French international, 1984 European Championship winner
Javier Clemente (born 1950), former Spain manager
Didier Deschamps (born 1968), former French international, 1998 World Cup winner, 2000 European Championship winner as player & 2018 World Cup winner as France manager
Unai Emery (born 1971), former player and manager
Joseba Etxeberria (born 1977), former Spanish international
José Eulogio Gárate (born 1944), former Spanish international
Julen Guerrero (born 1974), former Spanish international
Ander Herrera (born 1989), Spanish international
José Ángel Iribar (born 1943), former Spanish international, 1964 European Championship winner
Isidro Lángara (1912-1992), former Spanish international
Aymeric Laporte (born 1994), French-born Spanish international
Bixente Lizarazu (born 1969), former French international, 1998 World Cup winner & 2000 European Championship winner
Fernando Llorente (born 1985), Spanish international, 2010 World Cup winner & 2012 European Championship winner
Javi Martínez (born 1988), Spanish international, 2010 World Cup winner & 2012 European Championship winner
Martin Montoya
Nacho Monreal (born 1986), Spanish international
Irene Paredes (born 1991), Spanish women's international
Chus Pereda (1938-2011), former Spanish international, 1964 European Championship winner
Pichichi (1892-1922), former Spanish international
Ismael Urzaiz (born 1971), former Spanish international
Ricardo Zamora, former Spanish international
Telmo Zarra (1921-2006), former Spanish international
Ignacio Zoco (1939-2015), former Spanish international, 1964 European Championship winner
Andoni Zubizarreta (born 1961), former Spanish international

Handball

Pelota

Rugby

Tennis

Manuel Alonso (1895-1984)
Alberto Berasategui (born 1973)
Jean Borotra ^[4] (1898-1994), 4-time Grand Slam singles winner
Garbiñe Muguruza (born 1993), 2-time Grand Slam singles winner

Notes

↑ "Basque Studies Debut" (March/April 2007) Stanford Magazine. Retrieved 05 June 2010.
↑ Trask 1997, p. 34.
↑ Trask 1997, pp. 34–35.
1 2 3 4 5 Trask 1997, p. 35.
↑ Gallagher, Brendan (27 February 2002). "France look to Basque prodigy". telegraph.co.uk . Retrieved 14 July 2011. It's there in my heart, that's all that matters", Harinordoquy said. "I am French and Basque. There is no conflict, I am proud of both. . . . I have friends who are involved in the political side of things but that is not for me. My only interest is the culture, the Euskera language, the people, our history and ways.
↑ Pierson 1999, p. 130.

References

Pierson, Peter (1999). The History of Spain. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 0-313-30272-3.
Trask, Robert Lawrence (1997). The History of Basque. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-13116-2

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[Basque_Studies_Debut-1] "Basque Studies Debut" (March/April 2007) Stanford Magazine. Retrieved 05 June 2010.

[trask34-2] Trask 1997, p. 34.

[3] Trask 1997, pp. 34–35.

[trask35-4] 1 2 3 4 5 Trask 1997, p. 35.

[5] Gallagher, Brendan (27 February 2002). "France look to Basque prodigy". telegraph.co.uk . Retrieved 14 July 2011. It's there in my heart, that's all that matters", Harinordoquy said. "I am French and Basque. There is no conflict, I am proud of both. . . . I have friends who are involved in the political side of things but that is not for me. My only interest is the culture, the Euskera language, the people, our history and ways.

[6] Pierson 1999, p. 130.

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