Brazil has produced a number of well-known personalities that have made their mark on the modern world. These ones come from many different arenas, including sports, film, science, literature and politics. Just some of the best-known Brazilian personalities include:

Oscar Niemeyer: This architect was born in 1907 and has earned international acclaim for his incredible designs. However, he is also famous for getting married to Vera Lucia Cabriera in 2006, at the impressive age of 99 years. His structures are characterised by their open, spacious nature, with the generous use of empty areas and unconventional patterns. Some of his buildings include the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, the Serpentine Gallery Summer Pavilion in Hyde Park, London, and the tombstone for Carlos Marighella in Salvador da Bahia.

Carmen Miranda: Born in 1909, this singer was known for her sultry samba as well as her acting on Broadway and in Hollywood. She was famous for the signature fruit hat that she wore in The Gang’s All Here (1943). In 1955, Carmen Miranda was performing live on The Jimmy Durante Show in Beverley Hills when, during a dance number, she collapsed. Although she recovered and continued with the performance, she died later that night of a second heart attack. Her body was flown back to Rio de Janeiro and approximately 60 000 people attended her mourning ceremony.

Francisco Costa: Born in May 1964, this designer is best known for his contribution to Calvin Klein. He is the Women’s Creative Director for this collection and won the 2006 and 2008 Council of Fashion Designers America award in the category of Womenswear Designer of the Year.

Rubens Barrichello: Barrichello was born in 1972 and is one of the world’s top Formula One racing drivers. In fact, he became the world’s most experienced driver in Formula One history at the 2008 Turkish Grand Prix. In 2010, he also became the first driver to achieve 300 Grand Prix entries and 300 starts.

Pelé: Edison "Edson" Arantes do Nascimento, known to most as Pelé, has been a World Cup Champion three times in his football career, making him one of the best known Brazilian sportsmen of all time. He was born in 1943 and was voted the Football Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) in 1999. He also works hard to implement policies that are aimed at social upliftment of the poor. He retired from football in 1977, but continues to act as an ambassador for this sport.