Spain has produced many remarkable women whose influence spans art, literature, sports, and leadership. This list honors the 100 most famous Spanish women of all time.
The 100 Most Famous Spanish Women of All Time
| No. | Name | Occupation | Meaning / Why Famous |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isabel I de Castilla | Queen | United Spain, financed Columbus’s voyage |
| 2 | Isabel II de España | Queen | Queen of Spain (1833–1868) |
| 3 | Isabel de Valois | Queen Consort | Third wife of King Philip II of Spain |
| 4 | Juana la Loca (Joanna of Castile) | Queen | Daughter of Ferdinand & Isabella, Queen of Castile |
| 5 | Catalina de Aragón (Catherine of Aragon) | Queen Consort | First wife of Henry VIII of England |
| 6 | María Teresa de España | Queen Consort | Wife of Louis XIV of France |
| 7 | Sofía de Grecia y Dinamarca | Queen | Queen consort of Juan Carlos I |
| 8 | Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano | Queen | Current Queen of Spain |
| 9 | Infanta Elena de Borbón | Royalty | Daughter of Juan Carlos I |
| 10 | Infanta Cristina de Borbón | Royalty | Daughter of Juan Carlos I |
| 11 | Pilar de Borbón | Royalty | Sister of Juan Carlos I |
| 12 | Carmen Franco | Aristocrat | Only child of dictator Francisco Franco |
| 13 | Clara Campoamor | Politician | Advocated women’s suffrage in Spain |
| 14 | Dolores Ibárruri (La Pasionaria) | Politician | Communist leader, icon of Spanish Civil War |
| 15 | Federica Montseny | Politician | First female minister in Western Europe |
| 16 | Margarita Nelken | Politician | Feminist and socialist politician |
| 17 | Carmen Conde | Writer | First woman in the Royal Spanish Academy |
| 18 | Emilia Pardo Bazán | Writer | Novelist, feminist, intellectual |
| 19 | Rosalía de Castro | Poet | Pioneer of modern Spanish and Galician poetry |
| 20 | María Zambrano | Philosopher | Influential Spanish philosopher |
| 21 | Ana María Matute | Writer | Renowned novelist, Cervantes Prize winner |
| 22 | Carmen Laforet | Writer | Author of Nada, important post-war novel |
| 23 | Montserrat Caballé | Opera Singer | World-famous soprano |
| 24 | Victoria de los Ángeles | Opera Singer | Internationally acclaimed soprano |
| 25 | Teresa Berganza | Opera Singer | Famous mezzo-soprano |
| 26 | Rocío Jurado | Singer | Icon of Spanish copla and flamenco |
| 27 | Lola Flores | Singer/Dancer | “La Faraona,” flamenco legend |
| 28 | Isabel Pantoja | Singer | Famous copla and pop singer |
| 29 | Sara Montiel | Actress/Singer | First Spanish actress in Hollywood |
| 30 | Penélope Cruz | Actress | Oscar-winning actress |
| 31 | Paz Vega | Actress | Internationally recognized Spanish actress |
| 32 | Elsa Pataky | Actress | Hollywood actress, model |
| 33 | Maribel Verdú | Actress | Award-winning Spanish actress |
| 34 | Carmen Maura | Actress | Leading actress in Almodóvar films |
| 35 | Ángela Molina | Actress | Critically acclaimed Spanish actress |
| 36 | Rossy de Palma | Actress | Unique actress, muse of Almodóvar |
| 37 | Victoria Abril | Actress | Known for roles in Almodóvar films |
| 38 | Najwa Nimri | Actress/Singer | Star of Money Heist, musician |
| 39 | Blanca Suárez | Actress | Popular actress in film/TV |
| 40 | Belén Rueda | Actress | Star of The Orphanage, Spanish cinema |
| 41 | María Valverde | Actress | Known for Tres metros sobre el cielo |
| 42 | Clara Lago | Actress | Star of Ocho apellidos vascos |
| 43 | Amaia Salamanca | Actress | Popular TV and film actress |
| 44 | Ester Expósito | Actress | Global fame from Élite |
| 45 | Úrsula Corberó | Actress | Star of Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) |
| 46 | Alba Flores | Actress | Famous for Money Heist and Vis a Vis |
| 47 | Itziar Ituño | Actress | Star of Money Heist |
| 48 | Najat El Hachmi | Writer | Moroccan-Spanish writer, feminist voice |
| 49 | Carmen Martín Gaite | Writer | Prominent 20th-century novelist |
| 50 | Rosa Montero | Writer | Award-winning journalist and novelist |
| 51 | Almudena Grandes | Writer | Famous novelist (Las edades de Lulú) |
| 52 | Concha Velasco | Actress | Iconic Spanish actress |
| 53 | Nuria Espert | Actress/Director | Legendary stage actress |
| 54 | Lina Morgan | Actress | Popular comedy actress |
| 55 | Lola Herrera | Actress | Celebrated theatre actress |
| 56 | Ana Belén | Singer/Actress | Famous singer and actress |
| 57 | Massiel | Singer | Won Eurovision Song Contest (1968) |
| 58 | Mónica Naranjo | Singer | Pop icon with international fame |
| 59 | Rosalía (Rosalía Vila) | Singer | Global flamenco-pop superstar |
| 60 | Aitana Ocaña | Singer | Pop star from Operación Triunfo |
| 61 | Malú | Singer | Pop singer, niece of Paco de Lucía |
| 62 | Vanesa Martín | Singer | Popular Spanish pop singer |
| 63 | Pastora Soler | Singer | Eurovision contestant, flamenco-pop singer |
| 64 | Ruth Lorenzo | Singer | Represented Spain in Eurovision |
| 65 | Edurne | Singer | Eurovision singer, pop star |
| 66 | Soraya Arnelas | Singer | Eurovision contestant, pop singer |
| 67 | María Dolores Pradera | Singer | Legendary singer of Spanish/Latin music |
| 68 | Marta Sánchez | Singer | Spanish pop icon |
| 69 | Ana Torroja | Singer | Lead vocalist of Mecano |
| 70 | Cristina Pedroche | TV Presenter | Popular TV personality and influencer |
| 71 | Pilar Rubio | TV Presenter | Presenter, actress, model |
| 72 | Sara Carbonero | Journalist | Famous sports journalist |
| 73 | Georgina Rodríguez | Model/Influencer | Partner of Cristiano Ronaldo |
| 74 | Inés Arrimadas | Politician | Liberal politician, former Ciudadanos leader |
| 75 | Manuela Carmena | Politician | Former Mayor of Madrid |
| 76 | Ada Colau | Politician | Mayor of Barcelona |
| 77 | Yolanda Díaz | Politician | Current Deputy Prime Minister of Spain |
| 78 | Esperanza Aguirre | Politician | Former President of Madrid region |
| 79 | Ana Botella | Politician | Former Mayor of Madrid |
| 80 | Carme Chacón | Politician | First female Defense Minister |
| 81 | Margarita Robles | Politician | Current Defense Minister |
| 82 | María Teresa Fernández de la Vega | Politician | First female Deputy PM of Spain |
| 83 | Irene Montero | Politician | Minister of Equality |
| 84 | Teresa Ribera | Politician | Minister for Ecological Transition |
| 85 | Carmen Calvo | Politician | Former Deputy PM |
| 86 | Isabel Díaz Ayuso | Politician | President of Madrid region |
| 87 | Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo | Politician | Prominent conservative MP |
| 88 | Concepción Arenal | Writer/Reformer | Pioneer in women’s rights, social reform |
| 89 | Santa Teresa de Ávila | Saint/Writer | Mystic, Doctor of the Church |
| 90 | Santa Teresa Jornet | Saint | Patron saint of elderly people |
| 91 | Santa María de la Cabeza | Saint | Wife of Saint Isidore the Farmer |
| 92 | Beata Mariana de Jesús | Blessed | Spanish nun, mystic |
| 93 | Montserrat Roig | Writer | Catalan novelist and journalist |
| 94 | Carmen Posadas | Writer | Award-winning novelist |
| 95 | Almudena Ariza | Journalist | TVE correspondent, reporter |
| 96 | Sonsoles Ónega | Journalist/Writer | Popular journalist and novelist |
| 97 | Ángeles Caso | Journalist/Writer | Novelist, journalist, TV presenter |
| 98 | Pilar Miró | Film Director | Acclaimed Spanish film director |
| 99 | María Blasco | Scientist | Leading cancer researcher |
| 100 | Margarita Salas | Scientist | Pioneering biochemist, disciple of Severo Ochoa |
Read more: The 100 Most Famous Spanish Men of All Time
In conclusion,
From visionary artists and powerful leaders to athletes and cultural icons, these 100 famous Spanish women embody the strength, talent, and spirit of Spain. Their achievements continue to inspire generations and highlight the vital role women have played in shaping both Spanish and global history.
Hello! I’m Emma Carter, born in 1990, and a passionate child development specialist. Alongside my work, I have a deep love for helping parents discover beautiful and meaningful baby names. I believe a name is more than just a label — it’s the beginning of a child’s story. I draw inspiration from languages, cultures, traditions, and even the hidden meanings behind names to help find the perfect fit for every little one’s bright future.