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Photo by Édouard Manet – Wikimedia

Top 10 Most Famous Haitian people

Haiti is a beautiful Caribbean country with a long, rich history. It is on the same island as the Dominican Republic which is in its East.

Several of the landmarks in this country date back to the 19^th century such as the Citadelle la Ferrière, a mountaintop fortress, and the nearby ruins of Sans-Souci Palace, the baroque former royal home of King Henry I. 

Haitians are known to be resilient, hardworking and proud of their heritage. Some of them have gone to be global icons and flown the Haitian flag high.

From artists, civil rights activists, musicians, politicians, Haitians are a force to reckon with.

Here are some of the top 10 most famous Haitian people. Some of them may surprise you.

1. Wyclef Jean – Musician

Photo by Ali Dan-Bouzoua – Wikimedia

Wyclef is a Grammy Award-winning artist who was born in Haiti. His family moved to the United States when he was 9 years old.

He has been active in Haitian politics and even attempted to run for President, but did not meet the constitutional requirements.

After the 2010 earthquake that shattered the nation, Wyclef played a big part in providing relief support to his fellow countrymen.

During his active music career, Wyclef won 3 Grammy Awards and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. 

He published his memoir, Purpose: An Immigrant’s Story in 2012.

2. Franck Étienne – Author/Poet

By Jean Laposte – Wikimedia

Étienne is known by his professional name Frankétienne. He is one of Haiti’s leading artists. He was raised by his mother after his father went back to America.

As an all-rounded artist, Etienne has excelled in writing, poetry, theatre, painting, and music. This has gotten him prestigious nominations such as the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2009.

In 2010, he was the UNESCO Artist for Peace. He is referred to as the father of Haitian letters. His writing is in French and Haitian Creole.

His abstract paintings have distinct reds and blues.   

3. Garcelle Beauvais – Model/ Actress

Beauvais is a Haitian-American actress and model. She grew up in Saint-Marc, Haiti before moving to the United States with her family.

When she turned 17, she began her modelling career and was signed up by some of the most popular brands in the United States.

Garcelle also featured in several local American shows like NYPD Blue, films and was a video vixen too.

She has a children’s jewellery line and has authored a children’s book about diversity and race titled I Am Mixed.  

Her comedic and dramatic skills on set have won the hearts of many of her fans.

4. Jeanne Duval – Actress

Photo by Édouard Manet – Wikimedia

Another famous Haitian is Jeanne Duval. She has French and Black African ancestry. Jeanne was also the muse for Charles Baudelaire, an art critic and a poet.

Duval travelled to France where she joined the arts community. It was here that she met Charles Baudelaire. The two lived together for more than 2 decades.     

While in France, Duval had roles in theatre. She is still famous and gets featured in French poems and paintings.  

5. Jacques Roumain –Politician/Activist

Roumain was a Haitian writer, politician, and avid Marxist during the first half of the 20th century. He is more famous in Europe and Latin America where ardent fans of his work are.

Some of his most famous works have been translated by Langston Hughes. His works featured the life and culture of Haitians. He wrote extensively on poverty, education and daily Haitian life.    

Roumain’s work highlighted the Haitian connection between a low education level and poverty.

Through his activism, he hoped to put an end to the Restavek system that fuelled the cycle of poverty. Restaveks lacked education. 

Restavek Freedom seeks to help disadvantaged and overlooked children from a life of poverty. Roumain died in 1944 aged 37.

6. Réginal Goreux – Footballer

Photo by Elena Rybakova – Wikimedia

Reginal was a former professional footballer who played as a defender and a midfielder. He is currently a youth team coach for Standard Liège.

He started his football career at the age of 8. Goreux suffered an injury that saw him stay out of the football field for 2 years.

In October 2014, he was part of the Haitian team that took part in the Caribbean Cup qualification. Reginal made three appearances and helped his team qualify for the tournament.

He also played an integral role after the devastating earthquake in Haiti. He established a school and provided relief aid to those affected.

7. Meta Golding – Actress

Meta was born in India to a Haitian mom and an American dad. Her father, from Manhattan, was running an aid organization in India.

Her parents met in Haiti where his father worked. After they got married, they moved to India.

Golding lived in India, Senegal, Haiti, France and Italy. While in Italy, she got into figure skating and was once a national figure skater. Her career was cut short after she suffered an injury.  

Determined, Meta got into acting and got roles in television shows such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, House, Criminal Minds, Cold Case, Lie to me and Burn Notice.

Meta has different foundations established in Haiti where she helps the vulnerable and disadvantaged.

8. Marie-Jeanne Lamartiniére – Activist

Marie-Jeanne is one of the well-known women that served in the army during the Haitian Revolution.

She was always dressed in a male uniform and fought alongside her husband. Lamartiniére displayed exceptional skills using the rifle and sword during the Battle of Crête-à-Pierrot.

When not on the battlefield, Marie-Jeanne helped nurse the wounded soldiers. As a great decision-maker, Marie-Jeanne was a valuable asset on the battleground.

9. Suzanne B̩liar РSoldier

Photo courtesy of Government of Haiti – Wikimedia

Another female soldier during the Haitian Revolution was Suzanne Béliar. She was married to an army general.

As one of the few women who fought in the army, she was nicknamed tigress.

During her time in the army, Suzanne was a sergeant and was promoted to lieutenant.

Belair was held as a prisoner of war during an attack on Corail-Mirrault. Together with her husband, they were sentenced to death. 

10. Catherine Flon – Feminist

Catherine Flon was the woman that sew the first Haitian flag in 1803. She symbolizes women’s activist groups and feminism in Haiti. During national holidays, young women dress up as Flon to pay homage to her.