List of Famous people born in Free State, South Africa

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was an English writer, poet, philologist, and academic, best known as the author of the high fantasy works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

Pieter Willem Botha,, commonly known as P. W. and Afrikaans: Die Groot Krokodil, was a South African politician. He served as the last Prime Minister from 1978 to 1984 and the first executive State President from 1984 to 1989.

Johannes Radebe is a South African dancer and choreographer.

Zola Pieterse is South African a middle-distance and long-distance runner. She competed at the 1984 Olympic Games for Great Britain and the 1992 Olympic Games for South Africa, both times in the 3000 metres. In 1984 (unratified) and 1985, she broke the world record in the 5000 metres. She was also a two-time winner at the World Cross Country Championships (1985–1986). Budd's career was unusual in that she mainly trained and raced barefoot. She moved with her family to South Carolina in 2008, and competes at marathons and ultramarathons. She volunteers as assistant coach at Coastal Carolina University in Conway. Her mile best of 4:17.57 in 1985, still stands as the British record.

Jan Nathaniel du Plessis is a South African rugby union player, who plays as a prop for Montpellier in the French Top 14 and the Lions in Super Rugby. He played for the Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup and the Cheetahs in Super Rugby until 2007, when he joined Durban-based side the Sharks, where he played until 2015. He won 70 caps for South Africa between 2007 and 2015.

Herbert Kretzmer, OBE was an English journalist and lyricist. He was best known as the lyricist for the English-language musical adaptation of Les Misérables and for his long-time collaboration writing the English-language lyrics to the songs of French songwriter Charles Aznavour.

Ben Kruger, was a South African actor and author, best known for his roles in the popular serials Snake Island, Binnelanders and Zero Tolerance.

François Philippus Lodewyk Steyn is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the South Africa national team and Cheetahs in Pro 14. He usually plays at inside centre or fullback. He is one of only two South African rugby players to have won two Rugby World Cups.

Lauren Brant is a South African-Australian television personality and actress. Brant is a former member of the Australian children's musical group Hi-5.

James Thomas Kruger was a South African-born politician who was part of the conservative National Party government which championed apartheid. He rose to the position of Minister of Justice and the Police in the cabinet of Prime Minister John Vorster from 1974 to 1979. He was also President of the Senate from 1979 until 1980, when it was abolished.