Famous Romanian Men

Romania, the country that has inspired literary best-sellers like Jules Verne’s “The Castle in the Carpathians” and Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”, has also produced a wad of inspirational men. That is right! This ninth largest wine producing country in the world has been home to a fine stream of ingenious men who have influenced the world in mind-boggling ways. Do not believe us? Then read this. Did you know that the world’s smallest ever printed money was invented in Romania? Did you know that the first modern jet engine was invented by a Romanian? Did you know that the Romanian city of Timisoara was the first in Europe to get electric street lights? With achievements of such scale that paved a way for others to follow, it will not be an overestimation to credit the Romanian men for their inventiveness. Without further ado, let us discover the inspiring memoirs of many such famous Romanian men in their biographies below. Their timeline, trivia, and interesting facts will be a treat for anyone willing to learn all about them.

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Birthdate: September 21, 1909

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Nkroful

Died: April 27, 1972

Kwame Nkrumah was a Ghanaian revolutionary and politician. He played an important role in the independence of the Gold Coast in 1957, after which he served as the first prime minister of Ghana from 1957 to 1960 and then as the first president of Ghana from 1960 to 1966. He also played an influential role as an advocate of Pan-Africanism.

 2 

Gheorghe Hagi

(Legendary Romanian Footballer and Owner of Liga I Club 'Farul Constanța')

Birthdate: February 5, 1965

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Sacele, Romania

Known to fans as The Maradona of the Carpathians, Gheorghe Hagi is considered the most successful Romanian footballer of all time. An attacking midfielder, he began his career with FC Constanța, before playing for teams such as Real Madrid, Brescia, and Barcelona. Post-retirement, he managed the Romanian team.

 3 

Bela Bartok

(One of the Most Important Composers of the 20th Century)

Birthdate: March 25, 1881

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Sânnicolau Mare, Romania

Died: September 26, 1945

Bela Bartok was a Hungarian pianist, composer, and ethnomusicologist. Widely regarded as one of the 20th century's most prominent composers, Bartok is also counted among Hungary's greatest composers of all time. He is credited with co-founding comparative musicology, which came to be known as ethnomusicology.

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 4 

Sebastian Stan

(Best Known for His Role as 'Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier' in the Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Birthdate: August 13, 1982

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Constanța, Romania

Sebastian Stan serves as an inspiration to many youngsters as he overcame his difficult beginnings to become a popular actor in the American film industry. A self-made man, he learned the art of acting at the prestigious Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London and went on to star in hit films like Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame.

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 5 

Vlad the Impaler

(Wallachian Ruler Regarded as One of the Most Important Rulers in Wallachian History and a Romanian National Hero)

Birthdate: 1431 AD

Birthplace: Sighișoara, Romania

Died: November 30, 1476

Often considered a national hero of Romania, Vlad the Impaler was an important ruler in Wallachian history. Also known as Vlad Dracula, his reputation for cruelty inspired the name of the famous fictitious vampire Count Dracula. Books describing his cruelty were among the first-known bestsellers in the German-speaking territories.

 6 

Michael I of Romania

(The Last King of Romania (1927 - 1930))

Birthdate: October 25, 1921

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Peleș Castle, Sinaia, Romania

Died: December 5, 2017

Michael I, the last King of Romania, ruled the country twice, of which the first-tenure was as a minor. During his second tenure, he removed Ion Antonescu’s government that aligned Romania with Nazi Germany. He declared alliance with Allies but was eventually forced to abdicate by Petru Groza’s government on December 30, 1947, as Romania officially became a People's Republic.

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Birthdate: March 20, 0043

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Sulmo, Italy, Roman Republic

Died: 0017 AD

Roman poet Publius Ovidius Naso, better known as Ovid, lived during the rule of Augustus. He is held at par with Latin legends Virgil and Horace. Remembered for his mythological masterpiece the Metamorphoses, a 15-book Latin poem, he spent his final years exiled in a city on the Black Sea.

 8 

Gheorghe Mureșan

(One of the Two Tallest Basketball Players Who Have Played in the History of ‘NBA’)

Birthdate: February 14, 1971

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Tritenii de Jos, Romania

Romanian former professional basketball player Gheorghe Dumitru Mureșan, also called Ghiță, with a height of 7 feet 7 inches (2.31 m), is counted among the two tallest basketball players (tied with Sudanese-American professional basketball player Manute Bol) in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Ghiță played for the Washington Bullets and New Jersey Nets during his NBA career.

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 9 

Ilie Năstase

(Former World Number One Romanian Tennis Legend)

Birthdate: July 19, 1946

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Bucharest, Romania

Once number 1 in singles, Romanian tennis player Ilie Năstase created became the first European to cross $1 million in career prize money. A 3-time Davis Cup finalist, he won major titles such as the French Open, the US Open, and Wimbledon. He has also penned 2 French novels and a memoir.

Birthdate: February 19, 1876

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Hobita, Romania

Died: March 16, 1957

Constantin Brâncuși was a Romanian sculptor, painter, and photographer. A pioneer of modernism, he is considered one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th-century. The son of poor parents, he worked hard to fund his training at the Bucharest School of Fine Arts and became a skilled sculptor. He left behind 1200 photographs and 215 sculptures at his death. 

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 11 

John Houseman

(Romanian-Born American Actor, Director, and Producer)

Birthdate: September 22, 1902

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Bucharest, Romania

Died: October 31, 1988

Romanian-born US actor and producer John Houseman is remembered for his Academy Award- and Golden Globe-winning role in The Paper Chase. Primarily a character actor, he also gained fame as a theater director and producer and collaborated with director Orson Welles on many projects.

Birthdate: June 13, 1959

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Sibiu

Romanian president Klaus Iohannis, who is also the National Liberal Party leader and had initially been a physics teacher, calls himself a “firefighter.” Though he has pledged to fight against corruption in Romania, Iohannis believes his country is not yet ready for the legalization of same-sex marriages. 

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 13 

Emil Cioran

(One of the Finest Philosophers and Critical Writers from Romania)

Birthdate: April 8, 1911

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Rasinari, Romania

Died: July 20, 1995

Born to a priest father, Romanian philosopher Emil Cioran grew up to include religious and melancholic themes in his works. His award-winning bestseller A Short History of Decay was followed by books such as The Trouble with Being Born, all of which spoke of illness and suicide.

 14 

David Popovici

(Romanian Competitive Swimmer)

Birthdate: September 15, 2004

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Bucharest, Romania

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

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 15 

Alaric I

(King of the Visigoths from 395 to 410)

Birthdate: 0370 AD

Birthplace: Peuce Island

Died: 0410 AD

Alaric I reigned as the first king of the Visigoths. Alaric, who operated against the Western Roman regimes, is best remembered for playing a crucial role in the sack of Rome in 410, which was one of the major events leading up to the fall of the Western Roman Empire. After Rome's sack, Alaric fell ill and died in Bruttium.

 16 

Carol I of Romania

(King of Romania (1881 – 1914))

Birthdate: April 20, 1839

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Sigmaringen, Germany

Died: October 10, 1914

Carol I of Romania reigned as the King of Romania from 15 March 1881 to 10 October 1914. He helped Romania achieve independence by leading his men during the Russo-Turkish War and is best remembered as the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen dynasty's first ruler. During his reign, Romania's infrastructure and industry were improved.

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 17 

Mihai Eminescu

(The National Poet of Romania and a Major Figure of Romanticism)

Birthdate: January 15, 1850

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Botoșani, Romania

Died: June 15, 1889

Considered the national poet of Romania, Mihai Eminescu was a major figure of Romanticism in Romanian literature. Starting as an editor for the paper Timpul, he later penned iconic poems such as Luceafărul, or The Evening Star, and stories such as Sărmanul Dionis and Cezara. He, unfortunately, died in a mental asylum.

Birthdate: March 13, 1907

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Bucharest, Romania

Died: April 22, 1986

Mircea Eliade was a Romanian fiction writer, historian of religion, professor at the University of Chicago, and philosopher. His stories and novels have been adapted into films, such as The Bengali Night, which was directed by Nicolas Klotz. His works have also influenced writers all over the world.

Birthdate: 0385 AD

Birthplace: Roman Britain

Died: March 17, 0461

Saint Patrick was a Romano-British bishop and Christian missionary in Ireland. Widely regarded as the main patron saint of Ireland, Patrick is often referred to as the Apostle of Ireland. According to early medieval tradition, Patrick is credited with popularizing Christianity in Ireland. His life and work inspired the 2000 TV historical drama film, St. Patrick: The Irish Legend.

Birthdate: October 15, 1893

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Peleș Castle, Sinaia, Romania

Died: April 4, 1953

Carol II of Romania reigned as king of Romania from 1930 to 1940. He played a major role in establishing a royal dictatorship in Romania by abolishing the political parties and removing the 1923 constitution. He replaced the political parties with the National Renaissance Front, a single monopoly party of government. 

 21 

Ferdinand I of Romania

(King of Romania (1914 - 1927))

Birthdate: August 24, 1865

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Sigmaringen, Germany

Died: July 20, 1927

Ferdinand I of Romania reigned as the King of Romania from 10 October 1914 until his death on 20 July 1927. He chose to support the Triple Entente during World War I and managed to annex Transylvania, Bukovina, Bessarabia, and parts of Maramureș, Crișana, and Banat, which resulted in the establishment of Greater Romania.

 22 

Robert Bobroczky

(Romanian Basketball Player Known for His Striking 7'7" Frame)

Birthdate: July 17, 2000

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Arad, Romania

Born to athlete parents, Hungarian-origin Romanian basketball player Robert Bobroczky became famous for his towering 7’7” frame. His abnormal height was apparently found to be a result of genetics and not any disorder. He represented the Italian club Stella Azzurra and later moved to the US to join the SPIRE Institute and Academy.

 23 

Michael the Brave

(Romanian National Hero Known for Uniting All of Romania for the First Time)

Birthdate: January 15, 1558

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Drăgoeşti, Vâlcea

Died: August 9, 1601

Mihai Viteazul, or Michael the Brave, was the prince of Walachia, who became a national hero after uniting all Romanian principalities under his rule. Known for his exploits against the Turks, he also conquered Transylvania and Moldavia. He was killed shortly after suppressing a revolt of Magyar nobles.

 24 

Corneliu Zelea Codreanu

(Romanian Politician & Founder and Leader of the Legionary Movement (Iron Guard))

Birthdate: September 13, 1899

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Huși, Romania

Died: November 30, 1938

Romanian far-right politician Corneliu Zelea Codreanu founded the anti-Semitic and fascist movement called Iron Guard, also known as the Legionary Movement. While the movement turned into a successful political party, it was crushed by King Carol II, while Codreanu was imprisoned and then shot to death while escaping.

 25 

George Enescu

(Romanian Composer, Violinist and Conductor)

Birthdate: August 19, 1881

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: George Enescu, Romania

Died: May 4, 1955

 26 

Alexandru Ioan Cuza

(One of the Founders of the Modern Romanian State)

Birthdate: March 20, 1820

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Bârlad, Romania

Died: May 15, 1873

Alexandru Ioan Cuza was the first ruler of the Romanian Principalities after the unification of Moldavia and Wallachia. He is credited with modernizing the Romanian society through a series of reforms. Today, Alexandru Ioan Cuza is regarded as a national hero of Romania. He is also counted among the founders of the modern Romanian state.

 27 

Dan Petrescu

(Former Romanian Football Player and Manager)

Birthdate: December 22, 1967

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Bucharest, Romania

Dan Petrescu is a Romanian former football player best known for winning the 1998 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup for Chelsea. He also earned 95 caps for his national team between 1989 and 2000. Since his retirement, Dan Petrescu has worked as a manager and is currently managing CFR Cluj. Petrescu is the second-most successful Romanian manager.

 28 

Mircea Lucescu

(One of the Most Decorated Managers and Successful Football Players of All Time)

Birthdate: July 29, 1945

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Bucharest, Romania

Romanian former footballer Mircea Lucescu is known for his successful stint in the Romanian First League, having won 6 titles. He also led the Romanian team in the 1970 FIFA World Cup. Post-retirement, he had a successful stint as a manager, especially with the Ukrainian club Dynamo Kyiv.

 29 

Béla Károlyi

(Gymnastics Coach Known for Developing the Romanian Centralised Training System for Gymnastics)

Birthdate: September 13, 1942

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Bela Karolyi is a prominent gymnastics coach who developed the Romanian centralized training system for gymnastics.  His wife, Márta Károlyi, is also a gymnastics coach and together they have trained numerous Olympic, European, and World champions. The couple has been credited with transforming gymnastic coaching in USA. Many gymnasts have called him out for his abusive coaching style. 

 30 

Ion Țiriac

(Former Romanian Tennis Player)

Birthdate: May 9, 1939

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Brașov, Romania

Ion Tiriac is a Romanian businessman and retired tennis and ice hockey player. He is best known for winning the men's doubles event at the 1970 French Open. In 2013, he was made an inductee of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. As an ice hockey player, Tiriac played for his national team as defenseman at the 1964 Winter Olympics.

 31 

Adrian Mutu

(Professional Football Manager & Former Player)

Birthdate: January 8, 1979

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Călinești, Romania

Known for his “bad boy” image, Romanian former footballer Adrian Mutu has played for teams such as Inter Milan, Chelsea, and Juventus. Controversy’s favorite child, he was once banned by Chelsea for consuming cocaine. He also made headlines for drinking the blood of porn star Laura Andresan.

 32 

Ion Antonescu

(Conducător of Romania (1940 - 1944))

Birthdate: June 14, 1882

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Pitești, Romania

Died: June 1, 1946

Ion Antonescu was a Romanian marshal who served as a dictator during World War II. Appointed the prime minister in 1940, he formed a military dictatorship in Romania and joined hands with the Axis powers. His regime was ended by a coup d’etat led by King Michael, and he was sentenced to death.

 33 

Paul Celan

(One of the Most Important and Influential German-Language Poets of the Post-Second World War Era)

Birthdate: November 23, 1920

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Chernivtsi, Ukraine

Died: April 20, 1970

Paul Celan was a Romanian-born poet who wrote in the German language. One of the most important and influential German-language poets of the post-Second World War era, Celan was awarded the Bremen Literature Prize and the Georg Büchner Prize in 1958 and 1960 respectively. Paul Celan is also remembered for his work as a translator.

 34 

Lucian Bute

(Romanian-Canadian Former Professional Boxer and IBF Super-Middleweight Title Champion from 2007 to 2012)

Birthdate: February 28, 1980

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Pechea, Romania

Romanian-Canadian former professional boxer Lucian Bute is best known for winning the IBF super-middleweight title for the first time in 2007 and then defending it successfully for nine consecutive times before losing it to Carl Froch in May 2012. He was given the number one ranking in the division by the American boxing magazine called The Ring.   

 35 

Gordian III

(Youngest Roman Emperor (238 - 244))

Birthdate: January 20, 0225

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Rome

Died: February 11, 0244

Gordian III was a Roman emperor who reigned from 238 to 244 AD. He was the youngest Roman emperor as he ascended the throne at age 13. His reign was marked by a series of major earthquakes that swallowed a number of cities along with their inhabitants.

 36 

Carinus

(Roman Emperor (283 - 285))

Birthdate: 0257 AD

Birthplace: Dalmatia, Croatia

Died: June 30, 0285

Carinus was a Roman emperor who reigned from 283 to 285 AD. He was the son of Emperor Carus. Carinus is often counted among the worst Roman emperors and this reputation of his may have been orchestrated by his successful opponent, Diocletian.

 37 

Christian Hammer

(Romanian-German Professional Boxer)

Birthdate: September 27, 1987

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Galați, Romania

Height: 6'2" (188 cm)

 38 

Răzvan Lucescu

(Romanian Retired Footballer Who Played as a Goalkeeper)

Birthdate: February 17, 1969

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Bucharest, Romania

Răzvan Lucescu is a Romanian former football player who played as a goalkeeper. Although he did not achieve much popularity as a player, Lucescu is renowned for his coaching career. In 2018 and 2020, Răzvan Lucescu was named Romania Coach of the Year by Gazeta Sporturilor.             

 39 

Gheorghe Popescu

(Romanian Former Football Defender)

Birthdate: October 9, 1967

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Calafat, Romania

Romanian retired footballer Gheorghe Popescu, known to his fans as Gica, was known as a successful defender and midfielder. Apart from winning honors such as the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with Barcelona, he has also been a 6-time Romanian Footballer of the Year.

 40 

Alec Secareanu

(Actor)

Birthdate: December 4, 1984

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Bucharest, Romania

Alec Secareanu is a Romanian actor who achieved international fame in 2017, when he played Gheorghe Ionescu in the British romantic drama film God's Own Country. In the same year, he received a nomination for Best Actor at the British Independent Film Awards for his performance in the film.

 41 

Gyorgy Dozsa

(Soldier)

Birthdate: 1470 AD

Birthplace: Dalnic, Romania

Died: July 20, 1514

 42 

Cristian Chivu

(Former Romanian Footballer Who Played as a Defender)

Birthdate: October 26, 1980

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Reșița, Romania

Cristian Chivu is a Romanian retired football player who earned 75 caps for his national team between 1999 and 2010. He also represented popular clubs like Inter Milan, winning the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Champions League for the team. Cristian Chivu is currently serving as the head coach of Internazionale's Primavera side.

 43 

Sergiu Celibidache

(Greatest conductor of the 20th century)

Birthdate: June 28, 1912

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Roman, Romania

Died: August 14, 1996

Height: 5'7" (170 cm)

 44 

Prince Nicholas of Romania

(Prince)

Birthdate: August 5, 1903

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Peleș Castle, Sinaia, Romania

Died: June 9, 1978

 45 

Ernie Grunfeld

(Basketball Player)

Birthdate: April 24, 1955

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Satu Mare, Romania

Romanian-American former professional basketball player Ernest Grunfeld was part of Team USA that won gold medals at the 1975 Pan American Games and 1976 Summer Olympics. Grunfeld played with NBA teams Milwaukee Bucks, Kansas City Kings and New York Knicks. He later served as General Manager of Knicks and Bucks respectively and as president of basketball operations for Washington Wizards. 

 46 

Milan I of Serbia

(King of Serbia (1882 - 1889))

Birthdate: August 22, 1854

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Mărășești, Romania

Died: February 11, 1901

Milan I of Serbia reigned as the King of Serbia from 1882 until his sudden abdication in 1889. He abdicated in favor of Alexander I of Serbia, which was unexpected at that time. During his reign, Milan focused on developing natural resources and improving the means of communication. However, he was largely unpopular due to reckless extravagance and heavy taxation. 

 47 

Saul Steinberg

(Comics artist, Painter, Illustrator)

Birthdate: June 15, 1914

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Râmnicu Sărat, Romania

Died: May 12, 1999

A qualified architect, Saul Steinberg later established himself as a cartoonist and an illustrator and is best remembered for his contributions to The New Yorker. Born to Jewish parents in Romania, he escaped to the U.S. in the wake of anti-Semitic attacks. He also designed advertisements, murals, and theater sets.

Birthdate: November 4, 1951

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Murfatlar

Former Romanian politician Traian Băsescu was impeached and re-instated by a popular referendum once in 2007 and again in 2012. As the governor of Bucharest, he successfully reduced the number of stray dogs. He also sent Romanian troops to serve as part of George Bush’s war in Iraq.

 49 

Joseph M. Juran

(Engineer)

Birthdate: December 24, 1904

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Brăila, Romania

Died: February 28, 2008

 50 

Ion Creanga

(Romanian Author Who Was a Prominent Member of the Junimea Literary Society)

Birthdate: March 1, 1837

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Târgu Neamț, Moldavia

Died: December 31, 1889

Romanian author Ion Creanga is best remembered for his pioneering contribution to children’s literature, Childhood Memories. He was associated with the Romanian literary society Junimea and the realist art movement. He also enriched the folklore of Romania, drawing on the fairy tales of his land.