May 18 has gifted us with a diverse array of famous personalities like Pope John Paul II, Nicholas II , Frank Capra, Fred Perry, Dame Margot Fonteyn, Nobby Stiles, Rick Wakeman, Robert Kilroy-Silk, Toyah Wilcox, John Higgins, and more. Their contributions span across a wide spectrum of fields, including sports, arts, science, academia, religion, politics, and entertainment. Today, we celebrate the birth of these individuals who have left indelible marks on their respective domains.
Join us as we explore the lives, achievements, and legacies of some of the most famous people born on May 18.
Who Are The Famous People’s Born Today: May 18?
Today, we celebrate the birthdays of famous people whose contributions have left indelible marks globally. Scroll down to discover and explore the famous people born on this day, May 18:
Nicholas II will have been 156 years old today.
Today, May 18, is the birthday of Nicholas II, the last Emperor of Russia, King of Congress Poland, and Grand Duke of Finland. His reign marked the end of the Romanov dynasty.
Nicholas II was born in the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoye Selo, near Saint Petersburg, on May 18, 1868, and the eldest child of Tsesarevich Alexander Alexandrovich and Tsesarevna Maria Feodorovna.
Nicholas II ascended to the throne on November 1, 1894, following his father’s death, Alexander III. His reign saw significant events and challenges, including the Russo-Japanese War, the 1905 Revolution, and World War I. Nicholas’s tenure was marked by a struggle to maintain autocratic rule amid growing social unrest and political pressure for reform.
Despite his intentions to preserve the autocratic tradition, Nicholas was forced to make concessions, such as establishing the State Duma after the 1905 Revolution.
Nicholas II’s reign saw industrial advancements and the expansion of the Trans-Siberian Railway, which helped modernize Russia’s economy and improve connectivity across the vast empire.
Nicholas II married Princess Alix of Hesse, who became Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, on November 26, 1894. They had five children: Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia, and Alexei.
The hardships of World War I, combined with domestic unrest and economic instability, led to the February Revolution of 1917, which forced Nicholas II to abdicate the throne on March 15, 1917. The Romanov family was placed under house arrest and eventually moved to Yekaterinburg.
On the night of July 17, 1918, Nicholas II, along with his wife, children, and loyal servants, were executed by Bolshevik forces. Their deaths marked the tragic end of the Romanov dynasty and a turning point in Russian history.
Quick Fact About Nicholas II
- Nicholas II was born during the reign of his paternal grandfather, Emperor Alexander II.
- He ascended to the throne on November 1, 1894, following his father’s death, Alexander III.
- His reign was marked by domestic unrest and economic instability.
- He died at the age of 50, along with his family, by execution.
Frank Capra will have been 127 years old today.
Frank Capra was one of America’s most influential directors during Hollywood’s golden age. He was born in Bisacquino, Sicily, Italy, on May 18, 1897; at the age of five, he emigrated to the United States with his family, and they settled in Los Angeles, California.
Capra attended Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles. He gained admission at the California Institute of Technology, graduating in 1918 with a degree in chemical engineering. However, after a brief stint in the U.S. Army during World War I as a second lieutenant and teaching mathematics during his time there, he was discharged on medical grounds.
Frank Capra’s entry into the film industry was unorthodox. After struggling to find work, he began his career in 1922 by directing silent films for a small studio in San Francisco.
Capra’s breakthrough came in the 1930s when he started working with Harry Cohn’s studio, now Columbia Pictures. His collaboration with screenwriter Robert Riskin led to a series of successful films, including “It Happened One Night” (1934), which became the first film to win all five major Academy Awards: Best Director, Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Capra continued to direct hit films throughout the 1930s and 1940s, including “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town” (1936), “You Can’t Take It with You” (1938), and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939).
One of Capra’s most enduring films, “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), although initially not a commercial success, has since become a beloved classic, celebrated for its heartfelt exploration of community and redemption.
Frank Capra received numerous awards and honors throughout his illustrious career. He won three outstanding Academy Awards for Best Director for “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town,” “It Happened One Night,” and “You Can’t Take It with You.” In 1982, he received the American Film Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his contributions to the art of cinema.
Frank Capra married twice. His first marriage to actress Helen Howell ended in divorce. In 1932, he married Lucille Warner, with whom he had four children. Their marriage lasted until she died in 1984.
He died at the age of 94 on September 3, 1991, in La Quinta, California.
Quick Fact About Frank Capra
- Frank Capra real name is Francesco Rosario Capra.
- He was four times the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and three times the president of the Directors Guild of America.
- Frank served in the United States Army during the First World War and Second World War.
- He won six Academy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.
Fred Perry will have been 115 years old today.
Fred Perry, the renowned British tennis player and table tennis champion, was born on May 18, 1909, in Portwood, Stockport, England. He is celebrated as one of the greatest tennis players ever after winning 10 Majors and for his significant contributions to tennis and fashion. He died at the age of 85 on February 2, 1995.
Fred Perry attended Ealing Grammar School for Boys in London, where he developed an interest in sports, particularly table tennis and tennis. At the age of 14, he began playing at a public court near his home.
Perry’s career began in table tennis in 1922 when he participated in the Czechoslovak Open and English Open, where he won the World Table Tennis Championship in 1929. He then transitioned to tennis, where he achieved remarkable success. Perry’s aggressive playstyle, powerful forehand, and exceptional speed on the court quickly distinguished him as a formidable competitor.
In tennis, Fred Perry achieved extraordinary success during the 1930s. He won three consecutive Wimbledon singles titles from 1934 to 1936, becoming the first player to win all four Grand Slam singles titles, a feat known as a Career Grand Slam, which he achieved at the age of 26. His Grand Slam victories include:
- Australian Open: 1934
- French Open: 1935
- Wimbledon: 1934, 1935, 1936
- U.S. Open: 1933, 1934, 1936
Perry also contributed to Britain’s Davis Cup victories, helping the team secure wins in 1933, 1934, 1935, and 1936. He was ranked as the World No. 1 tennis player for five years between 1934 and 1938.
Throughout his life, Fred Perry received numerous awards and honors in recognition of his contributions to tennis. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1975. A statue of Perry was unveiled at Wimbledon in 1984 to commemorate the anniversary of his first singles championship.
Fred Perry was married four times. His first marriage was to actress Helen Vinson in 1935, but the couple divorced in 1940. He married Sandra Breaux in 1941, but this marriage also ended in divorce. Perry’s third marriage was to Lorraine Walsh in 1945, and they divorced in 1949. His fourth and final marriage was to Barbara Riese in 1952, and they remained together until his death.
Quick Fact About Fred Perry
- Fred Perry’s full name is Frederick John Perry.
- He became the first player to win all four Grand Slam singles titles.
- Fred has three consecutive Wimbledon Grand Slam singles titles.
- He became an American citizen in 1939 and served in the United States Army during the Second World War.
Dame Margot Fonteyn will have been 105 years old today.
Dame Margot Fonteyn was a renowned ballerina of the 20th century. She was born Margaret Evelyn Hookham on May 18, 1919, in Reigate, Surrey, England, to Felix John Hookham and Hilda Acheson Fontes. Her extraordinary talent and enduring partnership with Rudolf Nureyev made her an iconic figure in the world of ballet.
Margot Fonteyn began her ballet training at a young age. After moving to China with her family, she continued her ballet studies under the tutelage of Russian emigre teacher Georgy Goncharov. Upon returning to England at the age of 14, she trained at the Vic-Wells Ballet School, where she studied under the renowned Ninette de Valois.
Fonteyn’s career took off in late 1935 when she joined the Vic-Wells Ballet and made her solo debut in “The Haunted Ballroom” as Young Tregennis. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a prima ballerina by age 20.
She excelled in both classical and contemporary ballets, with standout roles including Aurora in “The Sleeping Beauty,” Giselle in “Giselle,” and Odette/Odile in “Swan Lake.
One of the most significant milestones in her career was her partnership with the young Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev. Their onstage chemistry was unparalleled, and they became one of the best international performers. Their performances together included “Le Corsaire Pas de Deux,” “Les Sylphides,” “La Bayadère,” and “Swan Lake.”
She danced with the Royal Ballet for over four decades, becoming its prima ballerina assoluta, the highest honor a ballerina can achieve. Her influence extended beyond her performances, as she played a crucial role in popularizing ballet and bringing it to a broader audience.
Throughout her illustrious career, Margot Fonteyn received numerous awards and honors. In 1956, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her services to ballet. She was awarded the title of prima ballerina assoluta by Queen Elizabeth II in 1979.
In 1955, Margot Fonteyn married Dr. Roberto Arias, a Panamanian diplomat and politician. Margot Fonteyn passed away on February 21, 1991, at the age of 71.
Quick Fact About Margot Fonteyn
- Margot Fonteyn’s career started in 1935 when he joined the Vic-Wells Ballet.
- career started
- Margot Fonteyn’s real name is Margaret Evelyn Hookham.
- She became a prima ballerina by age 20.
- She died at the age of 71.
Nobby Stiles will have been 82 years old today.
Nobby Stiles was a legendary English footballer who played a pivotal role in England’s 1966 World Cup victory. He was born on May 18, 1942, in Collyhurst, Manchester, England.
Nobby Stiles grew up in a working-class family in Manchester. He received his education primarily at St Patrick’s Secondary School in Collyhurst, where he developed a passion for football and began playing for England Schools boys at the age of 15.
Stiles began his professional football career with Manchester United, signing with the club in 1959. He quickly established himself as a hard-working and resilient midfielder. Despite his small stature, he was known for his aggressive tackling and defensive prowess, earning the nickname “the Toothless Tiger.”
Stiles was a key player under Sir Matt Busby’s management at Manchester United. He helped the team win two First Division titles (1964–65 and 1966–67) and was an integral part of the squad that won the European Cup in 1968, where United defeated Benfica 4-1 in the final.
Nobby Stiles’s most significant achievement came in 1966 when he played a crucial role in England’s World Cup-winning team. As a defensive midfielder, his marking of Portugal’s Eusebio in the semi-final and his overall performance in the tournament were instrumental to England’s success.
Nobby Stiles received several honors for his contributions to football, including Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2000 and Induction into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
Nobby Stiles married Kay Giles in 1963. The couple had three children and remained together until his death.
After retiring from professional football in 1973, Stiles had a brief stint in management and coaching, including roles at Preston North End, Vancouver Whitecaps, and as a youth coach at Manchester United. He played a significant role in developing young talents, including future stars like David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, and Paul Scholes.
Nobby Stiles passed away on October 30, 2020, at the age of 78.
Quick Fact About Nobby Stiles
- Nobby Stiles’s full name is Norbert Peter Stiles.
- He was part of the England World Cup-winning squad in 1968.
- He spent most of his club career at Manchester United, winning two league titles and the European Cup.
- Nobby Stiles married Kay Giles in 1963. The couple had three children.
- He died at the age of 78 years old.
More Famous People’s Birthday Today: May 18.
Pope John Paul II will have been 104 years old today.
Year: 1920
Place Of Birth: Wadowice, Poland
Profession: Former head of the Catholic
Rick Wakeman is 75 years old today.
Year: 1949
Place Of Birth: Perivale, United Kingdom
Profession: Keyboard player and composer
Robert Kilroy-Silk is 82 years old today.
Year: 1942
Place Of Birth: Birmingham, United Kingdom
Profession: Former politician and broadcaster
Toyah Wilcox is 66 years old today.
Year: 1958
Place Of Birth: King’s Heath, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Profession: Singer and actress
John Higgins is 49 years old today.
Year: 1975
Place Of Birth: Wishaw, United Kingdom
Profession: Professional snooker player
