Biographies

Valeriu Muravschi — Moldovan Prime Minister and Finance Minister (1949–2020) Valeriu Muravschi Valeriu Muravschi was a Moldovan politician and businessman who served as finance minister and as the country’s first post-Soviet prime minister (1991–1992); later he served in par…

Valeriu Zgonea — Romanian politician and former President of the Chamber of Deputies Valeriu Zgonea Profile of Valeriu Zgonea (born 1967), a Romanian politician who served as President of the Chamber of Deputies from 2012 to 2016, with overview of his career, roles, and significa…

Valeriy Lobanovskyi: Ukrainian football player and pioneering coach Valeriy Lobanovskyi Profile of Valeriy Lobanovskyi (1939–2002), Soviet-era midfielder and Dynamo Kyiv legend who became a highly influential coach known for scientific methods, team discipline, and Eu…

Valeriy Shmarov (1945–2018) Valeriy Shmarov Ukrainian engineer and politician who served as Minister of Defence of Ukraine (1994–1996) and later as a People's Deputy (1998–2002); involved in defense-sector administration dur…

Valeriy Zuyev (1952–2016) Valeriy Zuyev Valeriy Zuyev was a Soviet-born Ukrainian footballer and coach, capped once for the USSR in 1975. He later worked in coaching and is remembered for his contribution to Ukrainian fo…

Valery Asapov — Russian lieutenant general (1966–2017) Valery Asapov Valery Asapov (1966–2017) was a Russian lieutenant general and senior military adviser in Syria. He received state honours and was killed near Deir ez-Zor in 2017, according to the…

Valery Belousov Russian ice hockey player and coach (1948–2015). Longtime figure in Soviet and Russian hockey who played from the 1960s to the 1980s and later coached several professional clubs, i…

Valery Bolotov (leader in the 2014 Donbass unrest) Valery Bolotov Ukrainian pro‑Russian militant leader who headed the self‑proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic during part of 2014 and played a prominent role in the early Donbass conflict.

Valery Bykovsky — Soviet cosmonaut and three‑flight space veteran Valery Bykovsky Valery Bykovsky (1934–2019) was a Soviet cosmonaut who flew Vostok 5, Soyuz 22 and Soyuz 31. He took part in early long‑duration solo flight, earth observation and Intercosmos inte…

Valery Rozov — Russian high‑altitude wingsuit and BASE jumping pioneer Valery Rozov Profile of Valery Rozov (1964–2017), a Russian BASE jumper noted for record high‑altitude wingsuit jumps from the Everest massif and other Himalayan peaks, his methods, achievement…

Valmiki — Adi Kavi and Author of the Ramayana Valmiki Valmiki, revered in Indian tradition as the Adi Kavi (first poet), is credited with composing the Sanskrit epic Ramayana and shaping the śloka poetic form; his life and legacy blen…

Valyantsin Byalkevich — Belarusian Footballer and Dynamo Kyiv Playmaker Valyantsin Byalkevich Belarusian attacking midfielder best known for a long spell at Dynamo Kyiv (1996–2008), club record in assists, and contributions to the Belarus national team. Died in 2014 after c…

Van Cliburn: American Pianist and Cultural Icon Van Cliburn Van Cliburn (1934–2013) was an American classical pianist who gained worldwide fame after winning the 1958 International Tchaikovsky Competition. His recordings, concerts and the c…

Van Johnson: American actor and entertainer Van Johnson American film and stage actor Van Johnson (1916–2008) was a popular MGM leading man of the 1940s and beyond, known for his work in wartime dramas, musicals, television and theatre.

Van Miller (American sports announcer) Van Miller Longtime American radio and television sportscaster best known as the voice of the Buffalo Bills; celebrated for a decades‑long association with a single NFL team and his influence…

Văn Tiến Dũng: Vietnamese general and commander of the 1975 Ho Chi Minh Campaign Văn Tiến Dũng Biography of General Văn Tiến Dũng (1917–2002): his revolutionary beginnings, military career, leadership of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, senior party and defense roles, and legacy in…

Vaná (Vanailson Luciano de Souza Alves) — Brazilian goalkeeper Vaná Vanailson Luciano de Souza Alves (born April 25, 1991), known as Vaná, is a Brazilian professional goalkeeper who plays for Coritiba. Overview of his background, position, typical…

Vander Lee — Brazilian singer-songwriter Vander Lee Overview of Vander Lee, a Brazilian singer-songwriter from Belo Horizonte known for blending rock, pop and jazz influences; career beginnings, musical style, and legacy through his…

Vanessa Marquez: career, life, and the circumstances of her death Vanessa Marquez Overview of actress Vanessa Marquez, known for ER and Stand and Deliver; summary of her career, health challenges, the 2018 police shooting, and the public discussion that followed…

Vanessa Minnillo (Vanessa Lachey) — American television host, model and actress Vanessa Minnillo American television personality, model and actress. Miss Teen USA 1998; former MTV VJ and Entertainment Tonight correspondent, later known professionally as Vanessa Lachey.

Vann Nath: Cambodian artist, survivor, and witness Vann Nath Vann Nath (1946–2011) was a Cambodian painter, sculptor, writer and human-rights advocate. A survivor of the Khmer Rouge prison S-21, he documented atrocities and helped revive Cam…

Vannozza dei Cattanei Italian noblewoman (1442–1518) best known as the long-term mistress of Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia (later Pope Alexander VI) and mother of several of his prominent children, including…

Vano Zodelava — Mayor of Tbilisi (1998–2004) Vano Zodelava Biography of Ivane 'Vano' Zodelava (1957–2019), Georgian politician who served as mayor of Tbilisi from 1998 to 2004, his career, tenure, later accident and death.

Varduhi Varderesyan — Romanian‑born Armenian stage and film actress Varduhi Varderesyan Overview of Varduhi Varderesyan (1928–2015), a Romanian‑born Armenian actress noted for stage and screen roles, major films, honors including honorary citizenship of Yerevan, and h…

Vasco da Gama: navigator who opened the sea route from Europe to India Vasco da Gama Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama (c.1460s–1524) led the first successful European sea voyage from Europe to India around Africa, initiating direct maritime trade and the Portugues…

Vasco Núñez de Balboa: Spanish explorer who first saw the Pacific from the New World Vasco Núñez de Balboa Vasco Núñez de Balboa (c.1475–1519) was a Spanish explorer and colonial leader who crossed the Isthmus of Panama in 1513 and became the first European from the Atlantic colonies to…

Vasiľ Biľak: Slovak communist leader and 1968 hardliner Vasiľ Biľak Slovak-born communist politician (1917–2014). A long-serving KSČ functionary, Biľak was a leading conservative voice during the Prague Spring and remained a controversial figure af…

Vasil Bykaŭ: Belarusian Writer of War, Moral Choice, and Civic Voice Vasil Bykaŭ Vasil Bykaŭ (1924–2003) was a leading Belarusian writer whose wartime fiction and public engagement shaped modern Belarusian literature and civic debate.

Vasil Levski: Bulgarian revolutionary leader and national hero Vasil Levski Vasil Levski (Vasil Ivanov Kuncev, 1837–1873) was a Bulgarian revolutionary who organized a nationwide internal network for liberation from Ottoman rule and is remembered as the 'A…

Vasil Metodiev — Bulgarian footballer and coach Vasil Metodiev Vasil Metodiev (1935–2019) was a Bulgarian midfielder and later a successful coach, best known for playing at the 1966 World Cup and for leading Levski Sofia to multiple domestic t…

Vasile Alecsandri — Romanian poet, playwright, diplomat and cultural leader Vasile Alecsandri Vasile Alecsandri (1821–1890) was a leading 19th-century Romanian poet, dramatist and statesman who promoted national theatre, collected folk material and helped shape modern Roman…

Vasile Huțanu (Romanian ice hockey player) Vasile Huțanu Vasile Huțanu (1954–2014) was a Romanian ice hockey player best known for representing Romania at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck as a member of the national team.

Vasili Berezutski: Russian defender, international stalwart and coach Vasili Berezutski Profile of Vasili Berezutski, Russian former central defender and current coach, covering his playing career, international milestones, style, honours and transition into coaching.

Vasili Blagov — Soviet-era pair skater Vasili Blagov Biographical summary of Vasili Vyacheslavovich Blagov (1954–2019), a Russian pair skater who competed for the Soviet Union, his main results, partners, and legacy in 1970s figure s…

Vasili Zhupikov — Soviet footballer and Russian coach Vasili Zhupikov Vasili Mikhailovich Zhupikov (1954–2015) was a Soviet-era footballer who represented the USSR national team and later served as a coach in Russia. Debuted in 1977 and participated…

Vasiliy Mikhailovich Peskov: Russian naturalist, journalist and photographer Vasiliy Mihaylovich Peskov Vasiliy M. Peskov (1930–2013) was a Soviet and Russian journalist, photographer, traveller and nature writer known for popularising natural history through print and the TV series…

Vasily Chuikov (1900–1982) — Soviet commander best known for Stalingrad Vasily Chuikov Soviet military leader Vasily Chuikov commanded the 62nd Army at Stalingrad, later led forces in the final 1945 offensives, and rose to Marshal of the Soviet Union with numerous ho…

Vasily Ivanovich Petrov (1917–2014), Soviet marshal and military leader Vasily Ivanovich Petrov Soviet military officer Vasily I. Petrov rose from Red Army service before World War II to become a Marshal of the Soviet Union; he later advised foreign forces and remained a nota…

Vasily Likhachyov — Russian politician and diplomat (1952–2019) Vasily Likhachyov Overview of Vasily N. Likhachyov, a Russian politician and diplomat who held regional and federal offices, served as Russia's representative to European institutions, and was a Sta…

Vasily Smyslov — Soviet World Chess Champion and Endgame Master Vasily Smyslov Vasily Smyslov (1921–2010) was a Soviet-Russian chess grandmaster, World Champion 1957–58, celebrated for technical skill, endgame mastery, longevity, and musical talent.

Vasily Vereshchagin — Russian painter noted for stark, realist war scenes Vasily Vereshchagin Vasily V. Vereshchagin (1842–1904) was a Russian painter renowned for direct, sometimes controversial depictions of war and its human cost. He traveled widely and influenced debate…

Vasily Zaytsev, Soviet sniper and Stalingrad figure Vasily Zaytsev Vasily Zaytsev (1915–1991) was a Soviet sniper famed for his role in the Battle of Stalingrad, credited with hundreds of kills, influential in sniper tactics and later memorialized…

Vaslav Nijinsky: pioneering dancer and choreographer of early 20th‑century ballet Vaslav Nijinsky Concise encyclopedia entry on Vaslav Nijinsky: life, technique, major works with Ballets Russes, later illness and long-term influence on dance and choreography.

Vatroslav Mimica — Croatian film director and screenwriter Vatroslav Mimica Vatroslav Mimica (1923–2020) was a prominent Croatian director and screenwriter known for his animated shorts and later psychologically and historically themed feature films across…

Vaughn O. Lang — U.S. Army lieutenant general and communications officer Vaughn O. Lang Vaughn Olin Lang (1927–2014) was a United States Army lieutenant general who served in communications and procurement roles beginning at Fort Monmouth in 1952 and later during the…

Vavá (Edvaldo Izidio Neto) — Brazilian striker and two-time World Cup scorer Vavá Edvaldo 'Vavá' Izidio Neto (1934–2002), nicknamed 'Peito de Aço', was a prolific Brazilian centre forward known for his goals in two World Cup finals and his influential club caree…

Veeru Devgan — Indian stunt choreographer and film director Veeru Devgan Veeru Devgan (1934–2019) was an Indian stunt and action choreographer and film director credited on more than 80 Hindi films; he directed Hindustan Ki Kasam and was the father of a…

Vegeta: Saiyan prince and character from Dragon Ball Vegeta Vegeta, the Saiyan prince from Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball, evolves from antagonist to rival and ally of Goku. Noted for pride, powerful transformations, family ties, and wide cul…