Famous Figures Archives - Discover Wales

— By NanashiJanuary 31, 20250 Comments

Cerys Matthews

Early Life and Background A Musical Childhood in Wales Cerys Elizabeth Matthews was born on April 11, 1969, in Cardiff, Wales, but spent much of her early life in Swansea. Growing up in a Welsh-speaking household, she developed a deep connection to Welsh culture, literature,…

— By NanashiJanuary 25, 20250 Comments

cyclist, people

Geraint Thomas

Early Life and Background Growing Up in Cardiff Geraint Howell Thomas was born on May 25, 1986, in Cardiff, Wales. Raised in the Whitchurch area, he developed a love for cycling at an early age. His parents, Howell and Hilary, supported his budding interest in…

— By NanashiJanuary 25, 20250 Comments

actor, people

Luke Evans

Early Life and Background A Welsh Upbringing in Pontypool Luke George Evans was born on April 15, 1979, in Pontypool, Wales, and raised in the nearby town of Aberbargoed. Growing up in a working-class family, Evans was the only child of Yvonne and David Evans,…

— By NanashiJanuary 24, 20250 Comments

advocate, people, singer, songwriter

Charlotte Church

Early Life and Background A Talented Child from Cardiff Charlotte Maria Reed, known professionally as Charlotte Church, was born on February 21, 1986, in Llandaff, Cardiff, Wales. Raised in a musical family, her natural talent for singing was evident from an early age. Charlotte’s stepfather,…

— By NanashiJanuary 22, 20250 Comments

people, politician

Michael Heseltine

Early Life and Education A Welsh Upbringing Michael Ray Dibdin Heseltine was born on March 21, 1933, in Swansea, Wales. Raised in a middle-class family, his father, Rupert, was a factory owner, and his mother, Eileen, was a homemaker. Heseltine’s Welsh roots remained a point…

— By NanashiJanuary 22, 20250 Comments

hurdler, people

Colin Jackson

Early Life and Background A Childhood in Cardiff Colin Ray Jackson was born on February 18, 1967, in Cardiff, Wales, to Jamaican parents. Growing up in a close-knit family, he was encouraged to pursue athletics from an early age. Jackson attended Llanedeyrn High School, where…

— By NanashiJanuary 21, 20250 Comments

people, poet, priest

R. S. Thomas

Early Life and Education A Welsh Childhood Ronald Stuart Thomas, known as R. S. Thomas, was born on March 29, 1913, in Cardiff, Wales. Raised in a working-class family, he spent his early years in Holyhead, Anglesey, where his father worked as a merchant seaman.…

— By NanashiJanuary 20, 20250 Comments

actor, people

Michael Sheen

Early Life and Education Growing Up in Port Talbot Michael Christopher Sheen was born on February 5, 1969, in Newport, Wales, and grew up in the industrial town of Port Talbot. Known for producing acting legends like Richard Burton and Anthony Hopkins, Port Talbot became…

— By NanashiJanuary 20, 20250 Comments

people, singer

Duffy

Early Life and Background Growing Up in Nefyn Aimee Anne Duffy, known mononymously as Duffy, was born on June 23, 1984, in Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales. Raised in the coastal town of Nefyn, she grew up in a bilingual household, speaking both Welsh and English. Her…

— By NanashiJanuary 18, 20250 Comments

architect, people

Sir Clough Williams-Ellis

Early Life and Education of Williams-Ellis A Welsh Heritage Sir Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis was born on May 28, 1883, in Gayton, Northamptonshire, but his family roots were deeply tied to Wales. Raised in a family that valued culture and creativity, he spent much of his…