Famous people born on May 14th

May 14 brings together a notably wide-ranging set of birthdays, spanning royalty, political leaders, innovators, and enduring voices in the arts. The date showcases impact across centuries, from early modern courts to modern technology and cinema. It is a cross-section of people who shaped public life, culture, and the way we communicate.

Notable highlights

• Mark Zuckerberg (1984) - Co-founded Facebook, helping redefine social networking and online identity for billions of users.
• Cate Blanchett (1969) - Acclaimed for transformative roles on stage and screen, with major awards for both dramatic and biographical performances.
• George Lucas (1944) - Created the Star Wars saga and pushed film technology forward through innovations in sound and visual effects.
• Bobby Darin (1936) - A pop and jazz chameleon whose hits and reinventions made him a standout showman of his era.
• Eric Morecambe (1926) - Half of Morecambe and Wise, a defining figure in British television comedy and variety entertainment.
• Franjo Tudjman (1922) - Led Croatia during its independence period, becoming a central political figure of the 1990s Balkans.
• Marguerite de Valois (1553) - Queen of Navarre whose life sat at the crossroads of French court politics and religious conflict.
• B. C. Forbes (1880) - Founded Forbes magazine, shaping modern business journalism and the culture of entrepreneurship coverage.
• Tim Roth (1961) - Known for intense, distinctive performances, particularly in influential independent and auteur-driven films.

On this day

• 1607 - English settlers establish Jamestown in Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in North America.
• 1643 - Louis XIV becomes king of France after the death of Louis XIII, beginning one of Europe’s most famous reigns.
• 1796 - Edward Jenner administers the first successful smallpox vaccination, a milestone in medical history.
• 1948 - Israel declares independence, reshaping Middle Eastern politics in the modern era.