Emma Thompson

Valentina Zelyaeva, born on October 11, 1982, in Ulan-Ude, Russia, is a celebrated supermodel and wellness advocate. She gained prominence through her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and has walked runways for top brands like Victoria’s Secret and Chanel. Zelyaeva has also authored books on health and beauty, and she actively shares her

Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, born on May 11, 1932, in Voghera, Italy, is an iconic fashion designer whose influence spans decades. He founded the Valentino fashion house in 1960, creating timeless haute couture that dressed celebrities like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and earned him honors such as the Legion of Honour. Throughout his career, Garavani has

Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko, born on April 7, 1949, in Shepetivka, Ukrainian SSR (now Ukraine), is a prominent Russian politician and stateswoman. She has had a distinguished career, serving as Governor of Saint Petersburg from 2003 to 2011 and, since 2011, as Chairwoman of the Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament. Matviyenko is

Valentina Anatolyevna Shevchenko, born on March 7, 1988, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, is a celebrated mixed martial artist and former UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion. With a background in Muay Thai and kickboxing, she has won multiple world titles and is known for her exceptional striking, resilience, and dominance in the octagon. Shevchenko’s career highlights include defending

Valee, born in 1994 in Chicago, Illinois, is an American rapper and songwriter known for his minimalist flow and introspective lyrics. Rising to fame through SoundCloud in the late 2010s, he gained attention with hits like “Womp Womp” and collaborations with artists such as Jeremih and Lil Uzi Vert. His career highlights include releasing critically

Valentin Aleksandrovich Chmerkovskiy, born on March 24, 1986, in Odesa, Ukraine, is a celebrated professional dancer, choreographer, and television personality. He gained widespread recognition through his appearances on Dancing with the Stars, where he has won multiple Mirrorball trophies and showcased his exceptional talent alongside partners like Rumer Willis and Laurie Hernandez. Chmerkovskiy’s career also

Val Edward Kilmer, born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, California, is a celebrated American actor known for his iconic roles in films like Top Gun, The Doors, and Batman Forever. Over his decades-long career, Kilmer has earned critical acclaim, including a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of Jim Morrison, and has shared

Val McDermid, born on June 4, 1955, in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, is a celebrated Scottish author renowned for her gripping crime novels and thrillers. With a prolific career spanning decades, she has written bestselling series like the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan books, earning prestigious awards such as the Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger. McDermid’s

Vagit Alekperov, born on September 1, 1950, in Baku, Azerbaijan, is a renowned Russian businessman and philanthropist. He rose to prominence as the founder and former CEO of Lukoil, one of the world’s largest oil companies, transforming it into a global energy giant. Alekperov’s career highlights include building a multi-billion-dollar enterprise from humble beginnings, earning

Valmond Maurice Guest, known professionally as Val Guest, was born on December 11, 1911, in London, England. A pioneering figure in British cinema, he enjoyed a prolific career as a film director, screenwriter, and producer, spanning over five decades. Guest is renowned for directing iconic science fiction films like “The Day the Earth Caught Fire”

Václav Klaus, born on June 19, 1941, in Prague, Czechoslovakia, is a distinguished Czech economist and politician. He served as the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from 1992 to 1997 and as President from 2003 to 2013, playing a pivotal role in the country’s transition from communism to a market economy. Klaus is celebrated

Vaclav Smil, born on December 9, 1943, in Plzeň, Czechoslovakia, is a distinguished scientist and author known for his interdisciplinary work on energy, environment, and society. As Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba, he has written over 40 books and countless articles, offering critical insights into global challenges. Smil’s notable achievements include being

Vaani Kapoor, born on August 23, 1992, in Delhi, India, is a prominent Bollywood actress celebrated for her versatile roles in films like “Shuddh Desi Romance” (2013), “Befikre” (2016), and “War” (2019). She has earned nominations for awards such as the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut and has built a strong presence in Indian

Nicholas Vachel Lindsay, born on November 10, 1879, in Springfield, Illinois, was a visionary American poet renowned for his innovative style that blended rhythm, chant, and performance. His career highlights include publishing influential works like “The Congo” and “General William Booth Enters into Heaven,” which earned him acclaim as a pioneer of modern poetry readings.

Václav Havel, born on October 5, 1936, in Prague, Czechoslovakia, was a renowned playwright, dissident, and statesman who became a symbol of peaceful resistance and democratic reform. He led the Velvet Revolution in 1989, ending communist rule, and served as the first president of the Czech Republic from 1993 to 2003. Havel’s career was marked

Victor Sawdon Pritchett, known as V. S. Pritchett, was born on December 16, 1900, in Ipswich, England. A celebrated British writer, critic, and short story master, he authored numerous works, including novels, essays, and autobiographies, earning accolades like the Companion of Honour in 1968 and the PEN/Macmillan Silver Pen Award. Pritchett’s career spanned over six

Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul, widely known as V. S. Naipaul, was born on August 17, 1932, in Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago. A towering figure in literature, he became renowned for his sharp, unflinching examinations of post-colonial societies, identity, and human experiences. Naipaul’s career spanned decades, earning him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2001 for his

Uzodinma Iweala, born on November 18, 1982, in Washington, D.C., to Nigerian parents, is a celebrated Nigerian-American author and cultural leader. He gained prominence with his debut novel, “Beasts of No Nation” (2005), a powerful exploration of child soldiers that was adapted into an acclaimed film starring Idris Elba. Iweala’s career also includes roles as

Victoria Elizabeth Schwab, born on July 7, 1987, in California, USA, is a celebrated American author known for her immersive fantasy novels that explore deep human themes. With bestselling works like the “Shades of Magic” series and “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue,” she has earned critical acclaim, including multiple awards and a spot on

Uwe Boll, born on June 22, 1965, in Wermelskirchen, Germany, is a filmmaker renowned for his bold adaptations of video games into movies, such as “House of the Dead” and “Alone in the Dark.” His career is marked by controversy, including public feuds with critics and even boxing matches to defend his work, showcasing his