Famous Puerto Ricans: R
Browse by last name.
32 people
Francisco Ramírez Medina
Leader of the Grito de Lares uprising and proclaimed the first President of the Republic of Puerto Rico during the historic revolt of September 23, 1868.
Ernesto Ramos Antonini
Pioneering attorney and politician who fought for civil rights in Puerto Rico, first Black Puerto Rican to serve as Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives.
Ángel Ramos
Media Founded El Mundo newspaper and Telemundo broadcasting network, shaping how Puerto Ricans consumed news and entertainment throughout the 20th century.
Pico Rechani
Pico Rechani became well known for his work as a journalist and broadcaster, covering important events while promoting Puerto Rican culture and public affairs through the media.
Benito Recio
History Founder of Las Marías, whose vision and leadership led to the establishment of the municipality in 1871, laying the foundation for the agricultural community that continues to thrive today.
Silvia Rexach
One of Puerto Rico's most celebrated composers, Silvia Rexach wrote dozens of beloved boleros, including Olas y Arenas and Mi Último Fracaso. Her music remains an important part of Puerto Rican popular culture.
Antonio de los Reyes Correa
Spanish Army captain and local military commander remembered for leading the successful defense of Arecibo against a British invasion in 1702. His victory earned him recognition from the Spanish Crown and secured his place as one of Puerto Rico's earliest military heroes.
Ernestina Reyes "La Calandria"
Traditional Puerto Rican singer and composer remembered for her contributions to música jíbara and Puerto Rico's rural musical traditions.
Germán Rieckehoff
Known as the "Father of Puerto Rico's Olympic Movement," Rieckehoff served for more than four decades as president of the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee. The Albergue Olímpico in Salinas bears his name in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to Puerto Rican sports.
Manuel "Manolo" Rivera Morales
Legendary Puerto Rican sports broadcaster born in Trujillo Alto whose distinctive voice became closely associated with basketball, boxing, horse racing, and other major sporting events.
Chita Rivera
Chita Rivera, born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero on January 23, 1933, in Washington, D.C., was an actress, dancer, and singer of Puerto Rican descent through her father. She made her Broadway debut in Call Me Madam in 1952 and became one of Broadway's celebrated performers. Rivera won two Tony Awards, including Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in Kiss of the Spider Woman. Known for her extraordinary dedication as a dancer, she once performed for choreographer George Balanchine despite dancing in blood-soaked ballet shoes.
Guillermo Rivera
Bibliographer, essayist, translator, and educator who taught at Harvard and Cornell universities.
Ismael "Maelo" Rivera
Although closely associated with neighboring communities, Maelo Rivera maintained strong ties to Puerto Rico's southern region and remains one of salsa music's most celebrated voices.
Marquita Rivera
Entertainment Marquita Rivera was a singer, dancer, actress, and television personality who became the first Puerto Rican actress to appear in a major Hollywood motion picture. During the 1940s and 1950s, she performed alongside many of the biggest stars of her era, helping introduce Puerto Rican talent to international audiences and becoming a pioneer for Hispanic entertainers.
Ramón Rivero "Diplo"
A pioneering comedian, actor, producer, and radio personality who became one of Puerto Rico's most beloved entertainers. His satirical humor helped define Puerto Rican comedy during the mid-20th century.
Luis Rodríguez Olmo
Major League Baseball outfielder who became the first Puerto Rican to hit a home run in the World Series. A National League All-Star, Rodríguez Olmo helped pave the way for future generations of Puerto Rican baseball players.
Dr. Fernando E. Rodríguez Vargas
A distinguished military officer, dentist, and scientific researcher, Dr. Fernando E. Rodríguez Vargas is best remembered for discovering the bacterium responsible for dental cavities. His groundbreaking work advanced the field of dentistry, and he remains the only Puerto Rican honored with a bust in Washington, D.C. for his scientific contributions.
Juan "Chi-Chi" Rodríguez
Born October 23, 1937 in Río Piedras. Legendary golfer Chi-Chi Rodríguez maintained strong ties to Isabela and helped promote golf tourism across Puerto Rico, making him closely associated with the municipality's golfing identity.
Rodríguez began as a caddy at age 6, and practiced on tin cans with a homemade golf club fashioned from a branch of a guava tree. It has been said that Puerto Rican golf was born with "Chichi," who came to prominence in the 1960s, when he was one of the top ten in the Professional Golf Circuit. In 1967 he published Chichi's Secrets of Power Golf.
María Dolores "Lola" Rodríguez
Community leader associated with civic service and culture in Hormigueros.
Pedro Rodríguez
Engineer and inventor born in 1953 in Bayamón. Rodríguez served as Director of the Test Laboratory in the Engineering Directorate at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and invented a portable, battery-operated lift seat for people suffering from knee arthritis. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez in 1976 and soon afterward joined NASA as an engineer. He earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alabama in 1986 and a doctorate in civil engineering from the University of Mississippi in 1997. Rodríguez led the Solid Rocket Booster accident investigation team following the Space Shuttle Columbia accident in February 2003 and also served as project manager for the Space Launch Initiative program.
Rubén Rodríguez
A Bayamón native and legendary point guard for the Vaqueros de Bayamón, Rubén Rodríguez led the team to multiple championships and became one of the most beloved figures in Puerto Rican basketball history. The team's arena bears his name.
Victor Rojas
Astronomy Astronomer and educator who spent much of his career at the Arecibo Observatory, helping inspire generations of scientists.
Francisco "Paco" Roque
Poet and composer recognized for his contributions to Puerto Rican décima and Naranjito's cultural heritage.
Cesáreo Rosa-Nieves
Poet and educator born in 1901 in Juana Díaz. He graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a bachelor's degree in arts and education in 1927 and later earned a master's degree in letters. In 1944, he received a doctorate in philosophy and letters from the Autonomous University of Mexico. Among his best-known works are Tres Baladas en Luna de Vísperas (1954), Siete Caminos en Luna de Sueños (1957), and Los Nísperos del Alba Maduraron (1959). He died October 3, 1974, in San Juan.
Isabel Rosado Morales
Born in Ceiba's Chupacallos barrio, Isabel Rosado Morales was a teacher, social worker, and advocate for Puerto Rican independence. She helped establish the organization now known as the Colegio de Profesionales del Trabajo Social de Puerto Rico and remained active in social and political causes throughout her long life.
Dominga Rosado
Respected educator whose dedication to public education helped shape generations of students in southwestern Puerto Rico.
Mercedes Rosado
Attorney and Superior Court judge recognized for her contributions to Puerto Rico's judicial system and public service.
Edgardo Noel Rosario Burgos
Born November 14, 1957 in Morovis, physician and former senator who represented the Arecibo district from 1989 to 1992.
Pedro Rosello
Former Governor of Puerto Rico known for infrastructure development and modernization efforts during the 1990s.
Segundo Ruiz Belvis
One of Puerto Rico's leading abolitionists and independence advocates. Ruiz Belvis fought tirelessly to end slavery and defend civil rights, becoming one of the island's most important nineteenth-century political figures. The municipality honors his legacy each year with the Maratón Segundo Ruiz Belvis.
Alejandro Ruiz Soler
Physician and public health leader who became the first Puerto Rican to serve as Commissioner of Health and founded the Sanatorio Antituberculoso in Río Piedras.
Brunilda Ruiz
Puerto Rican volleyball player who represented the island in international competition.
