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List of Romanians facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This article shares a list of some of the most famous and important people from Romania. It includes historical figures and well-known people from today, like athletes, actors, and directors.

Most people on this list are of Romanian ethnicity, meaning their first language is Romanian. A few others were born in Romania and can speak Romanian, even if their background is different.

Contents

Famous Romanians Through History

This section introduces you to important people who shaped Romania's past, from medieval times to modern days.

Medieval Rulers and Leaders

These brave leaders helped create and protect the Romanian lands long ago.

  • Alexander I the Good (1375–1432): A wise ruler of Moldavia.
  • Basarab I the Founder (1270–1352): The first independent ruler of Wallachia.
  • Michael the Brave (1558–1601): A famous ruler of Wallachia who also ruled Moldavia and Transylvania for a short time.
  • Mircea I the Elder (1355–1418): A strong ruler of Wallachia.
  • Neagoe Basarab V (1459–1521): Another important ruler of Wallachia.
  • Nicolaus Olahus (1493–1568): A Roman Catholic Archbishop in the Kingdom of Hungary.
  • Stephen III the Great (1433–1504): A very famous ruler of Moldavia, known for his many victories.
  • Vlad II Dracul (before 1395–1447): A ruler of Wallachia.
  • Vlad III the Impaler (1431–1477): Another ruler of Wallachia, often known as Dracula.

Renaissance Thinkers and Princes

During the Renaissance, Romania had its own brilliant minds and leaders.

  • Dimitrie Cantemir: A ruler of Moldavia, also a great historian, writer, and music composer.
  • Antioch Kantemir: A poet and Russian ambassador.
  • Constantin Brancoveanu: A prince of Wallachia (1688–1714) known for his cultural achievements.

Modern Era Royalty and Leaders

Meet the kings, queens, and other key figures who led Romania in more recent times.

  • Tudor Vladimirescu: A revolutionary leader.
  • Prince Gheorghe Bibescu: A prince of Wallachia.
  • Prince Barbu Dimitrie Știrbei: Another prince of Wallachia.
  • Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza: A prince who united the Romanian principalities.
  • King Carol I of Romania: The first King of Romania.
  • King Ferdinand I of Romania: King during World War I.
  • King Carol II of Romania: A king who ruled before World War II.
  • King Michael I of Romania: The last King of Romania.
  • Queen Elizabeth of Romania: A queen known for her writing.
  • Queen Marie of Romania: A queen who played an important role during World War I.

Important Politicians and Military Leaders

These individuals served Romania in politics and the military.

  • Ion Antonescu: A Prime Minister during World War II.
  • Alexandru Averescu: A general and politician.
  • Nicolae Bălcescu: A historian and revolutionary.
  • Antoine Bibesco: A diplomat and writer.
  • Constantin Cristescu: A general and Chief of Staff.
  • Barbu Ștefănescu Delavrancea: A former mayor of Bucharest.
  • Ion Dragalina: A general.
  • Petre Dumitrescu: A general.
  • Octavian Goga: A writer and former Prime Minister.
  • Avram Iancu: A revolutionary during the 1848 Revolution.
  • Take Ionescu: A Prime Minister between the World Wars.
  • Mugur Isărescu: An economist and former Prime Minister.
  • Mihail Lascăr: A World War II general.
  • Constantin Prezan: A general in World War I and Marshal of Romania.
  • Nicolae Rădescu: A Prime Minister during World War II.
  • Ecaterina Teodoroiu: A brave soldier and heroine during World War I.

Leaders from Political Parties

Romania has had many political parties, and here are some of their key figures.

National Peasants' Party
  • Emil Constantinescu: A former President of Romania.
  • Corneliu Coposu: A politician.
  • Doina Cornea: A noted thinker and activist.
  • Iuliu Maniu: A politician and one of the founders of the party.
  • Ion Mihalache: A politician.
  • Ion Rațiu: A politician.
  • Alexandru Vaida-Voevod: A politician and Prime Minister.
  • Radu Vasile: An economist and former Prime Minister.
National Liberal Party (1875–1950)
  • Dinu Brătianu: A president of the party.
  • Ion C. Brătianu: A Prime Minister of Romania.
  • Ion I. C. Brătianu: A politician and founder of the liberal movement.
  • Vintilă Brătianu: A politician and Prime Minister.
  • Ion G. Duca: A Prime Minister.
  • Ion Ghica: A mathematician, diplomat, and Prime Minister.
  • Mihail Kogălniceanu: A lawyer, historian, and Prime Minister.
  • C. A. Rosetti: A publicist and Mayor of Bucharest.
  • Dimitrie Sturdza: A president of the party and the Romanian Academy.
National Liberal Party (after 1990)
Romanian Communist Party
Democratic Liberal Party
  • Traian Băsescu: A former President of Romania.
  • Emil Boc: A former Prime Minister.
  • Vasile Blaga: A former Internal Affairs Minister.
  • Monica Macovei: A former Justice Minister.
Social Democratic Party

Diplomats: Building Bridges Between Nations

These individuals represented Romania in other countries and helped build relationships.

  • Bogdan Aurescu
  • Antoine Bibesco
  • Adrian Cioroianu: A historian.
  • Grigore Gafencu
  • Nicolae Titulescu: A professor of law and former President of the General Assembly of the League of Nations.

Arts and Creativity

Romania has a rich history of art, from dance to writing and music.

Dance: Grace and Movement

  • Alina Cojocaru: A world-famous ballerina.
  • Eugenia Popescu-Județ: A ballerina, dance teacher, and choreographer.

Fashion: Designing Style

  • Ioana Ciolacu: An awarded fashion designer.
  • Maria Lucia Hohan

Photography: Capturing Moments

  • Costică Acsinte
  • Iosif Berman
  • Samoilă Mârza

Sculpture: Art in Three Dimensions

Writing: Stories, Poems, and Ideas

Romanian writers have created many important works.

Philosophers: Deep Thinkers

Poets: Words in Rhythm

Writers: Storytellers and Novelists

  • Gabriela Adameșteanu
  • Mircea Cărtărescu: A writer and essayist.
  • Ion Creangă: A writer, especially famous for children's stories.
  • Mircea Eliade: A historian of religion and novelist.
  • Eugène Ionesco: A playwright who wrote in French.
  • Herta Müller: A writer who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2009.
  • Marin Preda: A novelist.
  • Liviu Rebreanu: A writer.
  • Mihail Sadoveanu: A novelist.
  • Elie Wiesel: A Romanian-born American writer and Nobel laureate.

Historians: Exploring the Past

  • George Călinescu
  • Nicolae Iorga: A very famous historian and politician.
  • Vasile Pârvan

Journalists: Reporting the News

  • Ion Cristoiu
  • Cristian Tudor Popescu: A journalist and science-fiction writer.

Music: Sounds and Melodies

Romania is known for its talented musicians and composers.

Composers: Creating Music

Musicians: Performing Artists

  • Christian Badea: A conductor.
  • Sergiu Celibidache: An orchestra conductor.
  • Nicole Cherry: A singer.
  • Michael Cretu: A musician, founder of Enigma.
  • Grigoraș Dinicu: A violinist and composer.
  • Clara Haskil: A pianist.
  • Inna: A singer-songwriter.
  • Dinu Lipatti: A pianist and composer.
  • Radu Lupu: A pianist.
  • Angela Gheorghiu: A world-famous soprano singer.
  • Alexandra Stan: A singer.
  • Gheorghe Zamfir: A famous pan flute musician.

Film and Theatre: Lights, Camera, Action!

Romania has produced many talented actors and directors.

  • Mircea Albulescu: An actor.
  • Radu Beligan: A famous actor and director.
  • Ion Caramitru: An actor.
  • Gheorghe Dinică: An actor.
  • Marcel Iureș: An actor.
  • Maia Morgenstern: An actress.
  • Cristian Mungiu: A film director, known for 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days.
  • Jean Negulescu: A film director, Oscar nominee.
  • Sergiu Nicolaescu: A film director.
  • Amza Pellea: An actor.
  • Florin Piersic: An actor.
  • Elvira Popescu: An actress.
  • Corneliu Porumboiu: A film director.
  • Cristi Puiu: A film director.
  • Victor Rebengiuc: An actor.
  • Edward G. Robinson: A famous actor.
  • Sebastian Stan: An actor.
  • Johnny Weissmuller: An actor, famous for playing Tarzan.

Religion: Spiritual Leaders

  • Daniel Ciobotea: The current Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
  • Miron Cristea: The first Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
  • Dumitru Stăniloae: A priest who translated important religious texts.
  • Richard Wurmbrand: A pastor and author.

Sports: Champions and Athletes

Romania has a strong tradition in many sports, producing many Olympic and world champions.

Swimming: Fast in the Water

  • David Popovici: A talented swimmer.

Athletics: Running, Jumping, Throwing

  • Iolanda Balaș: A high jump champion.
  • Lia Manoliu: A discus thrower.
  • Doina Melinte: A middle-distance runner.
  • Gabriela Szabo: A famous runner.

Basketball: Hoops Stars

  • Gheorghe Mureșan: A very tall basketball player who played in the NBA.

Boxing: Ring Warriors

  • Lucian Bute
  • Leonard Doroftei
  • Mihai Leu

Football: Soccer Legends

Gymnastics: Grace and Strength

Romania is especially famous for its gymnasts.

Rowing: Power on the Water

  • Elisabeta Lipă: A highly decorated rower.
  • Ivan Patzaichin: A legendary sprint canoer.

Tennis: Aces and Grand Slams

  • Simona Halep: A Grand Slam winner (French Open 2018, Wimbledon 2019).
  • Ilie Năstase: A famous tennis player who won the French Open in 1972 and the US Open in 1973.
  • Virginia Ruzici: A French Open winner in 1978.
  • Ion Țiriac: A former tennis player and now a successful businessman.

Other Sports: Diverse Talents

  • Laura Badea: An Olympic champion in fencing.
  • Alina Dumitru: An Olympic judo champion.
  • Alina Popa: A professional bodybuilder.

Science and Innovation

Romanian scientists have made important discoveries and inventions.

Biology and Medicine: Understanding Life and Health

  • Grigore Antipa: A hydrobiologist.
  • Ana Aslan: A researcher in geriatrics (the study of aging).
  • Victor Babeș: A biologist.
  • George Emil Palade: A Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine in 1974.
  • Nicolae Paulescu: Discovered insulin.
  • Emil Racoviță: A biologist and speleologist (someone who studies caves).

Chemistry: The Science of Matter

  • Lazăr Edeleanu: A chemist.
  • Costin Nenițescu: The founder of the Romanian school of Organic Chemistry.
  • Nicolae Teclu: Inventor of the Teclu gas burner.

Physicians and Engineers: Innovators and Builders

  • Raed Arafat: Founder of SMURD, Romania's emergency medical service.
  • Henri Coandă: An aircraft designer and discoverer of the Coandă effect (how fluids behave).
  • Aurel Vlaicu: A flight pioneer.
  • Traian Vuia: Another flight pioneer.
  • Dumitru Prunariu: Romania's first and only cosmonaut (astronaut).
  • Anghel Saligny: A famous engineer.

Mathematics and Physics: Exploring Numbers and the Universe

  • Grigore Moisil: A mathematician.
  • Ștefania Mărăcineanu: A physicist.
  • Alexandru Proca: A theoretical physicist.
  • Șerban Țițeica: A theoretical physicist.

Computer Science: The Digital World

  • Andrei Alexandrescu: A computer scientist.
  • Ștefan Odobleja: A scientist who was a precursor to cybernetics.
  • Mihai Pătrașcu: A computer scientist.

Polymaths: Masters of Many Fields

These individuals excelled in many different areas of knowledge.

  • Simion Bărnuțiu: A jurist, priest, politician, writer, and professor.
  • Matila Ghyka: A famous polymath, mathematician, and author.
  • Mihail Kogălniceanu: A lawyer, historian, publicist, and politician.

Business: Building Enterprises

  • Octav Botnar: A billionaire and chairman of Nissan UK.
  • John DeLorean: A US car industry executive and inventor of the Pontiac GTO.
  • Anastasia Soare: A billionaire and founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills.

Romanians Born Outside Present-Day Romania

This section lists famous Romanians who were born in other countries.

Republic of Moldova

Ukraine

See also

  • List of Romanian inventors and discoverers
  • List of Romanian-Americans
  • List of people by nationality
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