Uruguay might be the ultimate paradise for the jet-set crowd to unwind and lap up the beauties and bounties around, but that is not the sole feather in Uruguay’s hat. You will be rather surprised to know that this country, better lauded by the outside world for its architecture, barbecue, healing springs, and football, has also been home to some avant-garde men. That is right? Did you know that the birth the birth control pill was invented by a Uruguayan? Did you know that mammogram was first done in the Uruguayan city of Montevideo? Did you know that safety device for extraction of blood was also the brain child of a Uruguayan? With a wad of creative and resourceful lot in its kitty, Uruguay has always held its heroes — be it its authors, athletes, politicians, artists and other men of varying accomplishments in great esteem. Unearth all about the lives of some famous Uruguayan men in their biographies below. Exploring their timeline, trivia, and lesser-known facts will be worthy enough.
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Birthdate: January 24, 1987
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Salto, Uruguay
Controversy’s favorite child Uruguayan professional Luis Suarez has been in the news for an infamous handball and also for biting opponents. He now plays for Atlético Madrid and has previously represented Barcelona and Liverpool, winning 19 trophies in his career to date. He is Uruguay's leading goalscorer of all time.
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Edinson Cavani(Uruguayan Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Birthdate: February 14, 1987
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Salto, Uruguay
Uruguayan footballer, Edinson Cavani, is the second-most highest scorer among Uruguayan internationals, next only to Luis Suarez. During his time in Italy, he was called El Matador for his composure while scoring goals. Although considered one of the best strikers of his generation, Cavani has been criticized for his relatively poor performance in important games.
Birthdate: May 20, 1935
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Montevideo
José Mujica is an Uruguayan retired politician. From 2010 to 2015, Mujica served as the president of Uruguay. A well-known philanthropist, Mujica won the hearts of many for his donation of 90 percent of his monthly salary to charities. Due to his generosity and austere lifestyle, José Mujica has often been referred to as the world's humblest head of state.
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Diego Forlán(Uruguayan Professional Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as a Striker)
Birthdate: May 19, 1979
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
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Eduardo Galeano(Uruguayan Journalist & Writer Best-Known for His Works ‘Las venas abiertas de América Latina’ & ‘Memoria del Fuego’)
Birthdate: September 3, 1940
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Died: April 13, 2015
Eduardo Galeano was a Uruguayan novelist, journalist, and writer. Regarded as one of the most respected writers of Uruguay, Galeano was honored by the Global Exchange with the prestigious International Human Rights Award in 2006. In 2010, he was awarded the Stig Dagerman Prize.
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Diego Godín(Uruguayan Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Centre-Back)
Birthdate: February 16, 1986
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Rosario, Uruguay
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
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Fernando Muslera(Uruguayan Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Goalkeeper)
Birthdate: June 16, 1986
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
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Mario Benedetti(Uruguayan Journalist, Novelist and Poet)
Birthdate: September 14, 1920
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Paso de los Toros, Uruguay
Died: May 17, 2009
Mario Benedetti was a Uruguayan novelist, journalist, and poet. Widely regarded as one of the 20th century's most important writers in the Spanish-speaking world, Benedetti was a key member of the Generation '45. Benedetti's works were published in 20 languages and he also contributed to the weekly newspaper, Marcha, where he served as the literary director from 1954 to 1973.
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Álvaro Recoba(Uruguayan Former Footballer Who Played as a Forward or Midfielder)
Birthdate: March 17, 1976
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
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Horacio Quiroga(Uruguayan Playwright, Poet and Short Story Writer)
Birthdate: December 31, 1878
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Salto, Uruguay
Died: February 19, 1937
Horacio Quiroga was a Uruguayan poet, playwright, and short story writer. He is best remembered for depicting jungles and characters with mental illnesses in his stories. Horacio Quiroga is credited with influencing the works of Gabriel García Márquez and Julio Cortázar.
Birthdate: September 21, 1964
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Son of German immigrants who escaped the Holocaust, Jorge Drexler was born in Uruguay. Inspired by his physician parents, Dexler, became an otolaryngologist, but his love for music turned him into a Latin pop sensation. His song Al Otro Lado Del Rio from The Motorcycle Diaries won him an Oscar.
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Pablo Cuevas(Uruguayan Professional Tennis Player)
Birthdate: January 1, 1986
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Concordia, Argentina
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
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José Gervasio Artigas(Uruguayan Military General)
Birthdate: June 19, 1764
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Died: September 23, 1850
José Gervasio Artigas was a Uruguayan military general, political leader, and statesman. Considered a national hero in Uruguay, Artigas played a major role in the Latin American wars of independence against the Hispanic Monarchy. Apart from monuments and statues that have been erected in his honor, several public places have also been named after José Gervasio Artigas.
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Alcides Ghiggia(Uruguayan-Italian Football Player Who Played as a Right Winger)
Birthdate: December 22, 1926
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Died: July 16, 2015
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Paolo Montero(Uruguayan Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as a Central Defender / Left-Back)
Birthdate: September 3, 1971
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
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Jayson Granger(Basketball player)
Birthdate: September 15, 1989
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
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Santiago Vescovi(Basketball player)
Birthdate: September 14, 2001
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
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Alfredo Evangelista(Boxer)
Birthdate: December 3, 1954
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
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Diego Aguirre(Uruguayan Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as a Forward)
Birthdate: September 13, 1965
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
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Gustavo Rojo(Actor)
Birthdate: September 5, 1923
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Died: April 22, 2017
Gustavo Rojo was an Uruguayan film producer and actor who appeared in over 160 television shows and films between 1938 and 2016. He made his theater debut in his mother Mercedes Pinto's play in the late 1920s. After moving to Mexico along with his family in the 1940s, Rojo started appearing in telenovelas, such as No creo en los hombres.
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Martín Cáceres(Uruguayan Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Defender)
Birthdate: April 7, 1987
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
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José Batlle y Ordóñez(Former President of Uruguay Who Served for Three-Terms Between 1899 and 1911)
Birthdate: May 21, 1856
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Died: October 20, 1929
José Batlle y Ordóñez was a Uruguayan politician best remembered for his service as the President of Uruguay on two occasions. He held the president's office from 1903 to 1907 and again from 1911 to 1915. He was also appointed as the acting president in 1899. Batlle is credited with modernizing the country by introducing extensive welfare state reforms.
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Maxi Pereira(Uruguayan Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Right-Back)
Birthdate: June 8, 1984
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
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Martin Mendez(Bassist)
Birthdate: April 6, 1978
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Martin Mendez is a Uruguayan Swedish bassist best known for his association with the popular Swedish progressive metal band, Opeth. He is the second-longest serving member of Opeth. Apart from Opeth, Martin Mendez has also played for several other bands like Proxima, Vinterkrig, and Fifth to Infinity.
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Fede Alvarez
Birthdate: February 9, 1978
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Montevideo
Fede Alvarez is a Uruguayan filmmaker best known for directing American films like Evil Dead and Don't Breathe. Alvarez achieved international prominence after the release of Evil Dead, which grossed $97 million against a budget of $17 million. Fede Álvarez is also known for directing popular short films like Ataque de pánico!
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Julio María Sanguinetti Coirolo(President)
Birthdate: January 6, 1936
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Montevideo
Julio María Sanguinetti Coirolo is a Uruguayan politician, journalist, and lawyer. He is best known for his service as the President of Uruguay from 1985 to 1990 and again from 1995 to 2000. An influential politician, Julio María Sanguinetti Coirolo has also served as the Minister of Industry and Commerce as well as the Minister of Education and Culture.
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Sebastián Coates(Uruguayan Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Centre Back)
Birthdate: October 7, 1990
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
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George Hilton(Film actor)
Birthdate: July 16, 1934
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Died: July 28, 2019
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
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Diego Lugano(Uruguayan Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Central Defender)
Birthdate: November 2, 1980
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Canelones, Uruguay
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
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Raúl Sendic(Lawyer)
Birthdate: March 16, 1926
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Flores Department, Uruguay
Died: April 28, 1989
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Marcelo Buquet(Actor)
Birthdate: October 4, 1963
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
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Mauricio Rosencof(Playwright)
Birthdate: June 30, 1933
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Florida, Uruguay
Mauricio Rosencof is a Uruguayan poet, playwright, and journalist. He is best known for his book El regreso del Gran Tuleque, which inspired a 1999 film titled El chevrolé. Mauricio Rosencof's life and career, including his 12-year tenure in prison, were the basis for the 2018 drama film A Twelve-Year Night.
Birthdate: November 1, 1923
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Montevideo
Died: February 24, 2014
Carlos Páez Vilaró was a Uruguayan abstract artist, potter, sculptor, painter, muralist, composer, writer, and constructor. He began his career as a printing apprentice and then began composing music as well. He was part of the "Grupo de los 8", a movement of Uruguayan artists formed in the 1950s. He enjoyed a successful career but had a troubled personal life.
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Gus Poyet(Uruguayan Professional Football Manager and Former Footballer Midfielder)
Birthdate: November 15, 1967
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
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Diego Pérez(Uruguayan Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Defensive Midfielder)
Birthdate: May 18, 1980
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
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Diego Laxalt(Uruguayan Professional Footballer, Who Plays as a Left-Back or a Left Winger)
Birthdate: February 7, 1993
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
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Juan Carlos Onetti(Uruguayan Novelist and Short Story Writer)
Birthdate: July 1, 1909
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Died: May 30, 1994
Juan Carlos Onetti was a Uruguayan novelist and short story writer. Counted among Latin America's most eminent writers, Onetti was the recipient of several prestigious honors including the Uruguay National Literature Prize. He was also an important member of the Generation '45, a group of writers who had a significant influence in the cultural and literary life of their country.
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Sebastián Abreu(Uruguayan Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as a Striker)
Birthdate: October 17, 1976
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Minas, Uruguay
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
Birthdate: July 28, 1874
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Montevideo
Died: August 8, 1949
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Enzo Francescoli(Uruguayan Former Footballer Who Played as a Attacking Midfielder)
Birthdate: November 12, 1961
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
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Tab Ramos(American Former Soccer Player and Former Head Coach of Hartford Athletic in the USL Championship)
Birthdate: September 21, 1966
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
Birthdate: January 17, 1940
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Died: December 6, 2020
Tabaré Vázquez was a Uruguayan politician who served as the 39th and 41st president of Uruguay from 2005 to 2010 and from 2015 to 2020 respectively. The first socialist president of Uruguay, Vázquez's first presidency strengthened the country's diplomatic ties with Argentina and Brazil. In 2006, Tabaré Vázquez was honored by WHO for implementing strict tobacco control laws in Uruguay.
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Joaquín Torres-García(Uruguayan Artist and Art Theorist Who Established the Constructive Universalism Movement)
Birthdate: July 28, 1874
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Died: August 8, 1949
Uruguayan-Spanish artist Joaquín Torres-García didn’t like the conservative style promoted at his Barcelona art academy and deviated more toward Impressionist and post-Impressionist art instead. He later brought Constructivism to South American countries. The Taller Torres García founder is best remembered for his work Monumento Cosmico.
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Walter Gargano(Uruguayan Footballer Who Plays as a Defensive Midfielder)
Birthdate: July 23, 1984
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Paysandú, Uruguay
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
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Rafael Viñoly(Architect)
Birthdate: June 1, 1944
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
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Nicolás Lodeiro(Uruguayan Professional Footballer Who Plays as an Attacking Midfielder)
Birthdate: March 21, 1989
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Paysandú, Uruguay
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
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Carlos Páez Rodríguez(Uruguayan Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker and Writer)
Birthdate: October 31, 1953
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Carlos Páez Rodríguez is a Uruguayan motivational speaker and writer. Nicknamed the man of the iron spirit, Rodríguez is best known for surviving a plane crash and spending 72 days in the Andes, during which the survivors resorted to cannibalism to keep themselves alive. The story inspired a film titled Alive where Carlos Páez Rodríguez was played by Bruce Ramsay.
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Juan Alberto Schiaffino(Italian-Uruguayan Football Player Who Played as an Attacking Midfielder or Forward)
Birthdate: July 28, 1925
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Died: November 13, 2002
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
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Angel Bonanni(Actor)
Birthdate: February 7, 1972
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Angel Bonanni is an Israeli model and actor. He is known for playing important roles in popular American TV series like Absentia and Condor. One of the most popular models in Israel, Bonanni has appeared in fashion campaigns for major designers like Donna Karan and Jean Paul Gaultier. He has also appeared in magazines like Harper’s Bazaar.
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Bruno Fornaroli(Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Forward or Attacking Midfielder)
Birthdate: September 7, 1987
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Salto, Uruguay Salto, Uruguay
