There is a category of people who shaped in a significant way the Panamanian culture and history. They are simply remarkable individuals who have one thing in common: are not easy to stereotype.

The following people made their mark on both the local and international scenes. They are just some of many famous Panamanians who have lifted Panama’s name worldwide and made a difference in our world. Their purpose and stories inspired awe if not greatness.

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:: List of Famous People from Panama ::

Ruben Blades
Is a Panamanian salsa singer, songwriter, lawyer, actor, Latin jazz musician, and politician, performing musically most often in the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz genres. Ruben Blades is often called the Renaissance man of Salsa. “As songwriter, Blades brought the lyrical sophistication of Central American nueva canción and Cuban nueva trova as well as experimental tempos and political inspired Nuyorican salsa to his music, creating thinking persons’ (salsa) dance music”. An innovative thinker who has worked also as a poet, philosopher and politician, Ruben Blades is the most recognized Panamanian in the world.

Justine Pasek
Panama is famous not only for its breathtaking scenery and idyllic islands, but also for the beautiful women. Justine Pasek is a Panamanian model, goodwill ambassador, and former Miss Universe in 2002. Justine championed the cause of HIV/AIDS and established the first HIV/AIDS prevention center in Panma. She worked with the Global Health Council, the Harvard AIDS Institute, AmFAR, and the Center for Disease Control’s “Act Now” campaign. Pasek has since modeled for Christian Dior, among other fashion campaigns.

Daphne Rubin Vega
Is a famous Panamanian dance music singer and Broadway actress. Daphne Rubin-Vega first lit up on Broadway with her debut as Mimi in “Rent” with Wilson Jermaine Heredia, with whom she also starred in the 1999 film Flawless. It earned her a Theater World Award, a Tony nomination as Best Actress in a musical and one for the Drama Desk Award.

Luis Russell
Luis Russell is the first international Panamanian jazz musician. Russell’s band became one of the top jazz groups after he moved to the United States. His band was borrowed for gigs and recording dates by such jazz notables as Red Allen, Jelly Roll Morton, and Louis Armstrong; Armstrong wound up taking over the band as front man in 1929 although Russell remained the music director.

Camilo A. Alleyne
Alleyene is a prominent Panamanian gynecologist. He performed in 1990 the first successful in vitro fertilization in Panama. The baby, Kicia Karen Smith, was born on December 18, 1990.

Hilario Zapata
Is a former Panamanian boxer who was a two time world Jr. Flyweight champion and a one time world flyweight champion. Zapata had a record of 43 wins and 10 losses, with 1 draw, and 15 wins by knockout.

Roberto Lewis
Roberto Lewis was an outstanding painter and sculptor. He was an educator and influenced the first generation of Panamanian artists, among them Humberto Ivaldi, Juan Manuel Cedeño and Eudoro Silvera. e was an accomplished portraitist and numbered among his sitters many political figures, including numerous Panamanian governors and all the presidents of Panama from 1904 to 1948.

Roberto Durán
Duran is a retired professional boxer who is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest boxers of all-time. “Manos de Piedra,” which translates to “Hands of Stone” was how people characterized him. He held world titles at four different weights – lightweight (1972-79), welterweight (1980), junior middleweight (1983-84) and middleweight (1989). He was the second boxer to have fought in five different decades.