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

Britta Waldschmidt-Nelson is the professor of transatlantic history and culture at the University of Augsburg, Germany, and has been since October 2016. Prior to this, Britta Waldschmidt-Nelson was Deputy Director at the German Historical Institute, Washington, D.C., where her research interests included African American studies, transatlantic relations, and gender and American religious history (2011–2016). Born on 9 April 1965, Waldschmidt-Nelson received her PhD summa cum laude from the University of Munich in American history and culture in 1997, and worked there as a lecturer, assistant professor, and associate professor in the same field, before becoming a professor of American history and culture in 2013.

Uwe Kröger is a musical star in the German-speaking countries of the world. Besides starring on stage, Kröger has taken part in galas and concerts, as well as making television and film appearances. He has released cast recordings and solo CDs.

Patrice Babatunde Bart-Williams, better known as Patrice, is a Sierra Leonean-German singer-songwriter, music producer and film-maker. Raised by a Sierra Leonean father and a German mother, Patrice Bart-Williams grew up listening to Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Champion Jack Dupree, Max Romeo, Buju Banton, Dancehall and Hip Hop music, writing his own songs from the age of 12.

Tobias Topic, also known mononymously as Topic, is a Croatian-German DJ, producer and musician. His song "Home" was certified platinum in Australia and Germany.

Suzie Kerstgens is a German singer and lyricist. She is the lead vocalist and co-founder of German pop band Klee.

Marcel Noebels is a German professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).

Jan Hojer is a German professional rock climber. He is known for winning one World Cup and two European Championships in bouldering. On May 2010, he climbed Action Directe, still considered to be one of the most difficult routes in the world. From 2013 to 2015, he solved several 8C (V15) boulder problems.

Norbert Dickel is a retired German football player. He spent six seasons in the Bundesliga with 1. FC Köln and Borussia Dortmund. He scored two goals in the final of the 1988–89 DFB-Pokal in 1989 for Borussia, helping them to obtain the first major trophy since 1966. He had to retire at 28 years of age due to injuries.

Martin Erdmann is a German diplomat.

Michael Sommer is a German trade unionist leader. He served for 12 years as the chairman of the German Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB).