List of Famous people born in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Matthias Frings is a German journalist, TV presenter and writer. He was born in Aachen and spent his childhood there. He pursued English studies, German studies and linguistics at RWTH Aachen University. In 1974, Frings was a founding member of the gay student group Aachener Printenschwestern. After completing his university studies, Frings became a resident of Berlin. In the late 1970s, he was a member of theater group Zan Pollo.

Nina Hemmer is a German freestyle wrestler. She competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in the women's freestyle 53 kg division. She finished in 14th place after losing to Zhong Xuechun of China in the first round.

Elke Schmitter is a German journalist, novelist, and poet.

Stefan Brasas is a German football trainer and former footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.

Heinrich Breloer is a German author and film director. He has mainly worked on docudramas related to modern German history and has received many awards. Breloer's 2005 docudrama Speer und Er was described as a milestone in the understanding of Nazi Germany by the German people.

Lukas Schmitz is a German footballer who plays as a left back for Dutch club VVV-Venlo.

Andreas Pinkwart is a German politician and academic who currently serves as State Minister for Economic Affairs, Digitization, Innovation and Energy in the government of Minister-President Armin Laschet. He previously was the Dean of HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management and holder of the Stiftungsfonds Deutsche Bank Chair of Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship.

Ilona Maria Gusenbauer is a retired Austrian high jumper. She competed at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics and finished in eighth and third place, respectively. She held the world record for more than a year starting in 1971, and was the Austrian champion in 1966–1973, 1975 and 1976.

Ali Çamdalı is a German footballer of Turkish descent who most recently played as a midfielder for Turkish club Manisa FK.

Kevin Kratz is a German footballer who last played as a midfielder for Atlanta United of Major League Soccer.