List of Famous people born in Thuringia, Germany

Marlies Göhr is a former East German track and field athlete, the winner of the 100 metres at the inaugural World Championships in 1983. She ranked in the top 10 of the 100 m world rankings for twelve straight years, ranking first in six of those years. During this time she won many medals as a sprinter at major international championships and set several world records.

Nicole Resch is a German jurist and secretary general of the International Biathlon Union (IBU).

Hans Heinrich Josef Meyer was a German geographer from Hildburghausen, who was the son of publisher Herrmann Julius Meyer (1826-1909). Hans Meyer is credited with being the first European to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro 5,895 m (19,341 ft). Kilimanjaro has three peaks: Shira, 3,962 m (12,999 ft); Mawenzi, 5,149 m (16,893 ft); and Kibo, whose summit was reached by Meyer in 1889.

Gerald Hüther is a German neurobiologist and author of popular science books and other writings.

Friedrich Wilhelm August Fröbel or Froebel was a German pedagogue, a student of Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, who laid the foundation for modern education based on the recognition that children have unique needs and capabilities. He created the concept of the kindergarten and coined the word, which soon entered the English language as well. He also developed the educational toys known as Froebel gifts.

Norbert Loch is a German luger. He competed in the men's singles event at the 1984 Winter Olympics.

Jonathan Hilbert is a German racewalker. He won the silver medal in the men's 50 kilometres walk at the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan. In 2019, he competed in the men's 50 kilometres walk at the 2019 World Athletics Championships held in Doha, Qatar. He finished in 23rd place.

Norman Theuerkauf is a German footballer who plays for 1. FC Heidenheim.

Michael Praetorius was a German composer, organist, and music theorist. He was one of the most versatile composers of his age, being particularly significant in the development of musical forms based on Protestant hymns.

Werner Nekes was a German experimental film director, and a collector of historical optical objects.