Biographies

Fakir Musafar (Roland Loomis) — pioneer of the modern primitive movement Fakir Musafar Fakir Musafar (Roland Loomis, 1930–2018) was an American performance artist and early leader of the modern primitive movement, known for teaching and popularizing body modification…

Falco: Austrian pop star behind 'Rock Me Amadeus' and international hits Falco Profile of Falco (Johann Hölzel), his career, signature songs, collaborators, personal life, and legacy as an Austrian pop artist with global chart success.

Fan Zhendong: Profile of a Chinese Table Tennis Champion Fan Zhendong Fan Zhendong (born 22 January 1997) is a leading Chinese table tennis player known for powerful topspin, quick footwork and major international successes including the 2016 World C…

Fan Zhiyi Fan Zhiyi (born 22 January 1970) is a retired Chinese footballer known for defensive leadership, versatility, notable spells with Shanghai Shenhua and Crystal Palace, and long serv…

Fandango (wrestler) Curtis James Hussey, known as Fandango and formerly Johnny Curtis, is an American professional wrestler noted for winning NXT Season 4, his dance-based ring persona, and work in WW…

Fang Bo — Chinese Table Tennis Player Fang Bo Fang Bo (born 9 January 1992) is a Chinese international table tennis player known for his role on the senior ITTF circuit and as part of China’s deep national talent pool.

Fannie Lou Hamer: Civil Rights Organizer, Voting Rights Advocate, and Community Leader Fannie Lou Hamer Overview of Fannie Lou Hamer (1917–1977), a Mississippi civil rights leader who fought voter disenfranchisement, co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, and promoted e…

Fanny Brice: American comedienne, singer and pioneering entertainer Fanny Brice Biography and legacy of Fanny Brice (1891–1951), a Broadway and radio star known for the Baby Snooks character, Ziegfeld Follies performances, the song "My Man," and her cinematic…

Fanny Elssler — Austrian ballerina of the Romantic era Fanny Elssler Austrian Romantic-era ballerina (1810–1884) celebrated for dramatic character dances, international tours and a stylistic contrast with Marie Taglioni; a major figure in 19th-centu…

Fanny Godin (1902–2014) — Belgian supercentenarian Fanny Godin Fanny Godin was a Belgian supercentenarian, born in Huy in 1902 and resident of Zoutleeuw. She reached age 112 and was, at her death, the oldest living person in Belgium and the co…

Fanny Lu: Colombian singer who popularized tropical pop in the 2000s Fanny Lu Biography of Fanny Lu (Fanny Lucía Martínez), her roots in Cali, early television work, breakthrough with Lágrimas Cálidas, later albums and singles, musical style, public roles an…

Fantasia Barrino — American singer, actress and stage performer Fantasia Barrino Fantasia Barrino is an American R&B and soul singer who rose to fame after winning the third season of American Idol. She has recorded several albums and performed on stage and tel…

Fareed Zakaria: journalist, author, and commentator on international affairs Fareed Zakaria Profile of Fareed Zakaria—Indian‑born American journalist, host of Fareed Zakaria GPS, author on global affairs, and editor with a long career in print and television commentary.

Farhang Mehr: Iranian Zoroastrian Academic, Politician, and University President Farhang Mehr Farhang Mehr (1923–2018), an Iranian Zoroastrian political scientist and public servant who led Pahlavi University, held senior government posts, and later taught international rel…

Farhiyo Farah Ibrahim — Somali refugee and women's rights activist Farhiyo Farah Ibrahim Somali refugee and activist based in Dadaab, Kenya, known for campaigning against female genital mutilation and forced marriage; recipient of the 2008 International Women of Courag…

Farid Zizi — French aerospace engineer and civil aviation leader Farid Zizi Profile of Farid Zizi, a French aerospace engineer and administrator who leads France Aviation Civile Services and has directed education and international air navigation work at E…

Farid-ud-din Attar: Persian Sufi poet and author of The Conference of the Birds Farid-ud-din Attar Farid-ud-din Attar (c.1140s–c.1220) was a Persian Sufi poet and hagiographer from Nishapur, author of the allegorical Mantiq al-Tayr and the Tazkirat al-Awliya, influential in late…

Fariduddin Ganjshakar (Baba Farid) — Sufi saint and early Punjabi poet Fariduddin Ganjshakar Fariduddin Ganjshakar (Baba Farid) was a 12th–13th century Chishti Sufi saint, mystic poet and reformer whose Punjabi and Persian verses shaped regional spirituality; his shrine is…

Farley Granger: American actor known for Hitchcock roles and stage work Farley Granger Farley Granger (1925–2011) was an American film, theatre and television actor best known for Alfred Hitchcock films Rope (1948) and Strangers on a Train (1951), his stage career an…

Farley Mowat: Canadian writer, northern chronicler and environmental advocate Farley Mowat Overview of Farley Mowat (1921–2014), his major works, northern fieldwork, environmental activism, controversies over factual accuracy, and his cultural impact in Canada and beyond…

Farooq Leghari: Pakistani President and Political Figure (1940–2010) Farooq Leghari Overview of Farooq Leghari, a Pakistani politician who served as President from 1993 to 1997, his political career, major actions in office, and legacy.

Farrah Fawcett: Actress and 1970s Cultural Icon Farrah Fawcett American actress Farrah Fawcett (1947–2009) became a global star with Charlie's Angels, later earning acclaim for dramatic television roles and leaving a lasting influence on popul…

Farrokhi Sistani: Leading Persian Court Poet of the Ghaznavid Period Farrokhi Sistani Farrokhi Sistani (c.980–1037/38) was a major Persian poet at Mahmud of Ghazni's court. His Divan of qasidas and shorter lyrics shaped classical Persian panegyric poetry and influen…

Fartuun Adan (Fartuun Abdisalaan Adan) — Somali social and human-rights activist Fartuun Adan Somali humanitarian and peace activist known for leading the Elman Peace Centre, advocating for survivors of conflict and gender-based violence, and supporting reintegration of chi…

Farzaneh Taidi Iranian film actress (1945–2020) who worked in Persian-language cinema from the 1970s and appeared internationally, including a role in Not Without My Daughter (1991).

Fat Joe: Rapper, actor, and Bronx hip‑hop figure Fat Joe Profile of Joseph 'Fat Joe' Cartagena: career overview, early life in the Bronx, musical milestones, acting roles, collaborations, style and legacy in hip hop.

Fatemeh Rahbar — Iranian parliamentarian (1964–2020) Fatemeh Rahbar Fatemeh Rahbar was an Iranian conservative politician and member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from 2004 to 2016. She died in Tehran of COVID-19 on 7 March 2020 before resum…

Faten Hamama — Egyptian actress and screen legend Faten Hamama Faten Hamama (1931–2015) was an Egyptian film and television actress and producer, widely regarded as the 'Lady of the Arabic Screen' and a central figure of classical Egyptian cin…

Father Damien (Saint Damien of Molokai) Father Damien Belgian-born Roman Catholic priest Joseph De Veuster (Father Damien) served people with leprosy at Kalaupapa, Molokai; remembered for his ministry, sacrifice, and later canonizatio…

Father Divine and the International Peace Mission Father Divine Father Divine (c.1876–1965) was an African American religious leader who founded the International Peace Mission, promoted communal economics and racial integration, and claimed di…

Fatih Terim Fatih Terim (born 1953) is a Turkish former player and prominent football manager, best known for his long association with Galatasaray and for leading the Turkey national team to…

Fátima Bernardes: Brazilian Journalist and Television Host Known for News-to-Talk-Show Career Fátima Bernardes Profile of Fátima Bernardes, Brazilian journalist who rose at Rede Globo and transformed from news anchor into a leading daytime talk-show host, expanding her influence on Brazilia…

Fatima Bhutto: Pakistani writer, poet and commentator Fatima Bhutto Profile of Fatima Bhutto (born 1982), her major works, themes, family background, and role as a public intellectual and literary voice on politics, gender and social change in Paki…

Fatima Jinnah: dental surgeon, political activist and 'Mother of the Nation' Fatima Jinnah Fatima Jinnah (1893–1967), sister of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was a Pakistani dental surgeon, political organiser in the Pakistan Movement, philanthropist and 1965 presidential candida…

Fatimah: daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and her historical significance Fatimah Fatimah, daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, is a central figure in Muslim history and devotion, especially in Shia Islam. Her life, family, and legacy shaped religious and p…

Fatimata M’baye — Mauritanian human rights lawyer and activist Fatimata M’baye Mauritanian lawyer and human-rights defender; founder of the Mauritanian Association for Human Rights; known for defending victims of slavery and torture and awarded an Internation…

Fatimata Touré — Malian women's rights activist and peacebuilder Fatimata Touré Profile of Fatimata Touré, a Malian advocate for women's health, reconciliation and peace in Gao, leader of organizations combating obstetric fistula, and 2014 International Women…

Fatimih Dávila (1988–2019) — Uruguayan model and beauty queen Fatimih Dávila Uruguayan model and Miss Uruguay 2006 who represented her country at Miss Universe and Miss World. She died in Mexico City in 2019, a death that prompted investigation and public d…

Fats Domino: New Orleans Pianist and Early Rock and Roll Pioneer Fats Domino Antoine “Fats” Domino (1928–2017), influential New Orleans pianist and singer-songwriter whose rhythm and blues roots helped shape early rock and roll; summary of style, major hits…

Faty Papy: Burundian midfielder and international footballer (1990–2019) Faty Papy Profile of Faty Papy, a Burundian professional midfielder who played domestically and abroad, represented his country, and who collapsed and died on the pitch in 2019 while playing…

Fauja Singh: British centenarian marathon runner Fauja Singh Fauja Singh (born 1911) is a British Sikh centenarian celebrated for completing marathons and long-distance events in his 90s and beyond; his age-group performances received wide a…

Fausto Coppi: Italian cycling champion and pioneer Fausto Coppi Profile of Fausto Coppi (1919–1960), an Italian cyclist famed for Giro and Tour victories, hour record, rivalry with Gino Bartali, riding style, wartime interruption, and his lasti…

Fausto dos Santos Fausto dos Santos (1905–1939), Brazilian footballer who represented Brazil during the sport’s formative international period and contributed to the early development of the nationa…

Fausto Sozzini (Faustus Socinus) — Italian theologian and founder of Socinianism Fausto Sozzini Italian theologian (1539–1604), founder of Socinianism and leading figure among the Polish Brethren; advocated anti‑Trinitarian theology, the humanity of Jesus, reasoned Scripture…

Fay Weldon English novelist, playwright and essayist Fay Weldon (1931–2023) wrote satirical, feminist fiction including the bestselling novel The Life and Loves of a She-Devil.

Fay Wray — actress best known for King Kong Fay Wray Biography of Fay Wray (1907–2004), a Canadian-American actress remembered for King Kong, her long film career, influence on horror cinema, major honors, and continuing cultural leg…

Faye Dunaway American actress Dorothy Faye Dunaway (born 1941), noted for breakthrough roles in Bonnie and Clyde and The Thomas Crown Affair, and for winning the Academy Award for Best Actress…

Faye Wong (Wang Fei) — Chinese singer and actress Faye Wong Faye Wong (born Wang Fei, 1969) is a Beijing-born singer and actress who became a major pop and alternative music figure after moving to Hong Kong in 1987, noted for her voice, sty…