Biographies

Zhang Li Yin (Zhang Liyin) — Chinese singer active in Korea and China Zhang Li Yin Zhang Li Yin (张力尹, Zhāng Lì Yǐn), born in Chengdu, is a Chinese vocalist trained in South Korea under SM Entertainment; known for bilingual ballads, the duet “Timeless,” and cross-…

Zhang Qun (Chang Ch'ün): Chinese statesman and diplomat (1889–1990) Zhang Qun Zhang Qun (Chang Ch'ün) was a prominent Kuomintang statesman who served as Premier of the Republic of China (1947–48), foreign minister and governor of Sichuan; noted for long invo…

Zhang Tianfu: Chinese Tea Agronomist and Oolong Processing Pioneer Zhang Tianfu Zhang Tianfu (1910–2017) was a Chinese agronomist and tea specialist who introduced mechanized processing to oolong production, taught and researched tea science, endured political…

Zhang Wannian: Chinese PLA General and CCP Politburo Member Zhang Wannian Overview of Zhang Wannian (1928–2015), a senior People's Liberation Army general who served on the CCP Central Committee and Politburo; summary of his career, ranks, party roles an…

Zhang Xianliang — Chinese novelist, poet, and political prisoner Zhang Xianliang Chinese novelist and poet (1936–2014) whose work was shaped by decades of political persecution; known for Half of Man Is Woman and Grass Soup and for leading Ningxia's writers' as…

Zhang Ziyi: career and influence of a Chinese film actress Zhang Ziyi Zhang Ziyi (章子怡; b. 1979) is a Chinese film actress who achieved international recognition in the early 2000s for roles in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero, House of Flying Dag…

Zhantoro Satybaldiyev Kyrgyz politician who served as Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan from September 2012 to March 2014; his tenure addressed economic and energy challenges amid debates over natural resour…

Zhao Zhongxiang — Chinese television presenter and news anchor Zhao Zhongxiang Zhao Zhongxiang (1942–2020) was a prominent Chinese television host and Xinwen Lianbo news anchor. A long-serving figure at China Central Television, he presented major national br…

Zheng He — Ming dynasty admiral and maritime explorer Zheng He Zheng He (1371–1433) was a Chinese admiral and diplomat who led state-sponsored voyages across the Indian Ocean in the early Ming dynasty, expanding trade, tribute ties, and diplom…

Zhivko Gospodinov (Bulgarian footballer) Zhivko Gospodinov Bulgarian attacking midfielder and playmaker (1957–2015) who played domestically for several clubs including Spartak Varna, Cherno More and Beroe and had a spell in Portugal with A…

Zhores Medvedev: Soviet Biologist, Dissident and Historian (1925–2018) Zhores Medvedev Concise biography of Zhores A. Medvedev, a Soviet-born agronomist and biologist who exposed the Kyshtym nuclear disaster, wrote on Soviet history, signed the Humanist Manifesto and…

Zhou Youguang — Chinese linguist and developer of Hanyu Pinyin Zhou Youguang Zhou Youguang (1906–2017) was a Chinese linguist and economist best known for leading the development of Hanyu Pinyin, the standard romanization for Mandarin used for education, si…

Zhu Xi — Leading Song‑dynasty Neo‑Confucian Scholar Zhu Xi Zhu Xi (1130–1200) was a Chinese Confucian scholar who systematized Neo‑Confucian thought, compiled influential commentaries on the Four Books, and shaped East Asian education and…

Zhu Xu — Chinese film and stage actor Zhu Xu Overview of Zhu Xu (1930–2018), a respected Chinese actor known for roles in The King of Masks and Shower, his career, background, and legacy.

Zhu Yuli — Chinese aerospace executive and government official (1934–2020) Zhu Yuli Profile of Zhu Yuli, a Chinese government official and manager who led national technology supervision and the state aviation corporation in the 1990s; overview of roles, context,…

Zhuge Liang: Shu Han Chancellor, Strategist, and Cultural Icon Zhuge Liang Zhuge Liang (181–234), courtesy name Kongming, was the chief strategist and later regent of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era, known for his military campaigns, administration,…

Ziaur Rahman — Bangladeshi military leader and president Ziaur Rahman Ziaur Rahman (1936–1981) was a Bangladeshi military officer, liberation-era figure and statesman who served as president and founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Zienia Merton Burmese–British actress Zienia Merton (1945–2018) was best known as Sandra Benes in Space: 1999 and enjoyed a long career in British television across drama, soap and genre series.

Zig Ziglar: American Salesman, Motivational Speaker, and Author Zig Ziglar Profile of Hilary Hinton "Zig" Ziglar (1926–2012): his life, work as a salesman and motivational speaker, major themes, career development, and legacy in sales training and self‑he…

Zigmas Zinkevičius — Lithuanian linguist and historian of the language Zigmas Zinkevičius Overview of Zigmas Zinkevičius (1925–2018), a leading Lithuanian linguist: career, research on Lithuanian language history, dialects and onomastics, publications, awards and legacy…

Žigmund Pálffy (Ziggy) — Slovak professional ice hockey forward Žigmund Pálffy Slovak-Hungarian ice hockey forward Žigmund “Ziggy” Pálffy is a high-scoring NHL veteran who later returned to play in the Slovak Extraliga for HK 36 Skalica and represented Slovak…

Zilda Arns: Brazilian pediatrician and founder of the Children's Pastoral Zilda Arns Zilda Arns (1934–2010), Brazilian physician who founded the Children's Pastoral, a large volunteer-based program teaching basic child health and preventing infant deaths across Bra…

Zilda Cardoso Brazilian comedic actress (1936–2019) known for her work on popular television comedy programs such as Praça da Alegria, A Praça é Nossa and Escolinha do Professor Raimundo.

Zilpha Keatley Snyder American author of children's and young adult fiction, known for imaginative novels that blend realism and fantasy; three of her books received Newbery Honor recognition.

Zin Mar Aung — Burmese activist and 2012 International Women of Courage Awardee Zin Mar Aung Zin Mar Aung (born 14 June 1976) is a Burmese pro-democracy and women's rights activist honored by the U.S. State Department in 2012. She has worked with civil society to promote c…

Zindzi Mandela: South African diplomat, activist, and member of the Mandela family Zindzi Mandela Zindziswa 'Zindzi' Mandela (1960–2020) was a South African activist and diplomat, daughter of Nelson and Winnie Mandela, who served as ambassador to Denmark and played a public rol…

Zito (José Ely de Miranda) — Brazilian midfielder, Santos captain and youth developer Zito (footballer, born 1932) José Ely de Miranda (Zito, 1932–2015) was a Brazilian defensive-minded midfielder noted for leadership, tactical intelligence and work at Santos FC; two-time World Cup winner with…

Zizi Jeanmaire — French ballet star and stage performer Zizi Jeanmaire Zizi Jeanmaire (1924–2020) was a French ballet dancer and entertainer celebrated for her title role in Roland Petit's Carmen (1949) and for a long career across ballet, theatre, ca…

Zizinho (Thomaz Soares da Silva) — Brazilian footballer and 1950 World Cup star Zizinho Zizinho (Thomaz Soares da Silva, 1921–2002) was a Brazilian attacking midfielder known for technical skill, vision and set-piece mastery; a leading player of the 1940s–1950s and in…

Zlatko Škorić — Croatian goalkeeper and 1964 Olympic squad member Zlatko Škorić Profile of Zlatko Škorić (1941–2019), a Croatian-born goalkeeper who played for Dinamo Zagreb, clubs in Germany and the Yugoslavia national team, including at the 1964 Olympics.

Zodiac Killer: overview of crimes, ciphers, investigation, and legacy Zodiac Killer Summary of the Zodiac Killer — an unidentified murderer active in Northern California in 1968–69 — covering victims, letters and ciphers, investigations, suspects, and cultural imp…

Zoe Caldwell Zoe Caldwell (1933–2020) was an Australian-born stage and screen actress celebrated for commanding Broadway performances, four Tony Awards, film and voice work, and a legacy as a p…

Zoe Kazan American actress, playwright and screenwriter known for films like The Savages and Revolutionary Road, for writing Ruby Sparks, and for an Emmy-nominated role in the HBO miniseries…

Zohra Sehgal — Indian Dancer, Actress and Cultural Figure Zohra Sehgal Comprehensive overview of Zohra Sehgal’s life and career as a dancer, choreographer and character actress whose work spanned stage, film and television across India and the UK.

Zola (Bonginkosi Dlamini) — South African Kwaito Artist, Actor and Presenter Zola (musician) Bonginkosi 'Zola' Dlamini is a South African Kwaito musician, actor and TV presenter, best known for his role in Yizo Yizo and the community programme Zola 7; he raps in isiZulu an…

Zola Skweyiya: South African public servant and social development leader Zola Skweyiya Biography of Zola Skweyiya (1942–2018), ANC politician who helped reshape the post‑apartheid public service and led the Social Development ministry from 1999 to 2009.

Zoltan Istvan — transhumanist thinker, journalist, and political candidate Zoltan Istvan Profile of Zoltan Istvan: American transhumanist, writer and entrepreneur who has campaigned for public office and promoted life‑extension, AI and futurist policies in journalism a…

Zoltán Peskó — Hungarian conductor and composer Zoltán Peskó Zoltán Peskó (1937–2020) was a Hungarian conductor and composer known for his advocacy of contemporary music and for leadership posts in European and Portuguese orchestras.

Zoltan Sarosy — Hungarian-Canadian Chess Master and Centenarian Zoltan Sarosy Hungarian-born chess master who won tournaments in Hungary, survived wartime displacement, emigrated to Canada and became a longstanding figure in Canadian chess; inducted into the…

Zora Neale Hurston: Writer, Folklorist, and Voice of Black Southern Life Zora Neale Hurston Overview of Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960), American novelist and folklorist of the Harlem Renaissance, her major works, anthropological fieldwork, stylistic features, and enduring…

Zoran Marojević Yugoslav basketball player Zoran Marojević (1942–2019) won a silver medal with the Yugoslav team at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Born in Matulji, he was part of a generation that…

Zoran Mirković (Serbian footballer) Zoran Mirković Serbian former professional footballer (born 1971), a versatile defender who played for FK Partizan and clubs in Italy and Turkey; capped by Serbia and Montenegro and later worked…

Zoran Modli — Serbian Radio Presenter, DJ and Aviator (1948–2020) Zoran Modli Serbian journalist and influential radio DJ who hosted Ventilator 202, Modulacije and ZAIR; long-time commercial pilot with Jat Airways and Prince Aviation. A prominent cultural fi…

Zoroaster (Zarathushtra) — Founder of Zoroastrianism Zoroaster Zoroaster (Zarathushtra) was an ancient Iranian prophet and founder of Zoroastrianism. His life date is uncertain; his teachings reshaped Persian religion and influenced later fait…

Zuleyka Rivera — Puerto Rican model, actress, and Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera Encyclopedic profile of Zuleyka Rivera, Puerto Rican beauty queen who won Miss Universe 2006, and her subsequent career in modeling, acting, and public activities.

Zulkifli Abdhir (Marwan) — Malaysian bomb maker and militant (1966–2015) Zulkifli Abdhir Malaysian extremist and expert bomb maker known as Marwan, on the FBI Most Wanted Terrorists list with a $5 million reward. Linked to Jemaah Islamiyah and Kumpulan Mujahidin Malays…

Zurlon Tipton — American football running back (1990–2016) Zurlon Tipton Profile of Zurlon Tipton, a running back who played college football at Central Michigan and signed with the Indianapolis Colts; covers his career, playing style and untimely death…

Zvi Arad — Israeli mathematician and long-serving president of Netanya Academic College Zvi Arad Zvi Arad (1942–2018) was an Israeli mathematician known for work in algebra and representation theory, author of monographs on table algebras, and president of Netanya Academic Col…