Curaçao has produced and inspired many notable figures in various fields including sports, music, literature, politics, and science. Here are some famous Curaçaoan personalities:
Sports
1. Andruw Jones
- Profession: Former Major League Baseball (MLB) player
- Claim to Fame: Five-time MLB All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner
- Teams: Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, and others
- Born in Willemstad, Curaçao
2. Kenley Jansen
- Profession: Professional baseball pitcher (MLB)
- Claim to Fame: One of MLB’s top closers; 3× All-Star
- Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox
- Born in Willemstad
3. Hensley Meulens
- Profession: Former MLB player, coach
- Claim to Fame: First Curaçaoan to play in MLB; later became a coach for the San Francisco Giants
- Nickname: “Bam Bam”
4. Churandy Martina
- Profession: Olympic sprinter
- Specialty: 100m and 200m
- Olympic Appearances: Competed for both the Netherlands Antilles and the Netherlands
- Born in Willemstad
Music & Culture
5. Izaline Calister
- Profession: Singer-songwriter and performer
- Genre: Jazz, Afro-Caribbean, Latin music
- Languages: Performs in Papiamentu and Dutch
- Accomplishments: Internationally acclaimed for bringing Curaçaoan music to global audiences
6. Randal Corsen
- Profession: Jazz pianist and composer
- Notable For: Blending classical music, jazz, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms
- Awards: Edison Award (prestigious Dutch music prize)
Academia & Literature
7. Frank Martinus Arion (1936–2015)
- Profession: Novelist, poet, linguist
- Famous Works: Dubbelspel (Double Play), a major Dutch-Caribbean novel
- Legacy: One of Curaçao’s most respected literary voices; advocate for Papiamentu and Caribbean identity
8. Quincy Gario
- Profession: Activist and poet
- Known For: Leading the Dutch anti-Black Pete movement; born in Curaçao, raised in the Netherlands
Politics & Leadership
9. Lucille George-Wout
- Role: Governor of Curaçao (since 2013)
- Significance: First female governor of Curaçao
10. Gilmar Pisas
- Role: Prime Minister of Curaçao (as of 2024)
- Party: MFK (Movement for the Future of Curaçao)
- Leadership: Focuses on governance, economic reform, and public safety
