Fortune is said to favor the bold, and Minnesota is called home for many who have gone above and beyond, screens big or small, and in our hearts and hopefully yours, too. We are showcasing a few of these bold Minnesotans right here on our "Famous Minnesotans" page. Then, we encourage you to find out more about them on your down time. So, click on a name to navigate to a brief biography about them.
Born 1902/02/04 - Departed 1974/08/26
This bold Minnesotan flew the first transatlantic flight from New York City to Paris! Lindbergh took off in "The Spirit of St. Louis" aircraft on May 20th of 1927 and landed the next on the 21st. Lindbergh worked as a United States Postal Office Air Mail pilot preceding the flight to Paris. During his time as an Air Mail pilot, he had to eject a multiple occasions due to plane equipment failure and landed on the ground without serious injury each time. After ejecting from the planes and landing safe on the ground, Lindbergh saw to his duty as a Postal service worker and endeavored to locate his cargo to ensure that delivery would be made regardless of the incidents. What a pilot!
Born 1958/06/07 - Departed 2016/04/21
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, this multi-award winning Minnesotan musician's music and life-inspiring work captivates the spirit of the Twin Cities and The Star of the North. His music was bold and beautiful. He released nearly 40 albums in total before passing away. Born and departed right here in Minnesota.
Born 1922/11/26 - Departed 2000/02/12
Minnesotan Charles Schulz is famous for his iconic "Peanuts" cartoon still featured in newspapers across the country and all over the globe. Schulz was drafted into the United States Army when the Second World War began. Schulz is also famous for "A Charlie Brown Christmas" that aired in 1965, still viewed yearly today. Schulz was born in Minneapolis and is a true Star of the North!
Born 1984/10/18 - Departed not
Lindsey Vonn is a Minnesotan that excels in skiing. Representing America in the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vonn placed 1st and received a Gold Medal in the Downhill race becoming the first American to do so. Vonn retired from competition in 2019 after a few injuries, sidelining the competitor further missing out on the 2014 Winter Olympics held in Russia. This Minnesotan, born in St. Paul, is a model athelete that aspiring skiers may look up to for generations to come.
Born 1922/06/10 - Departed 1969/06/22
Minnesotan Judy Garland is world famous for her role as Dorothy in the musical "The Wizard of Oz". Garland was also a top music artist and won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year becoming the first woman to do so. Born in Grand Rapids, Garland's legacy remains celebrated in Minnesota.
Born 1959/09/25 - Departed not
Ann Bancroft is the first woman to reach the North Pole after a 56-day expedition with 5 other team members in 1986. Not only has Bancroft reached and stood at the North Pole, but the South Pole as well making her the first woman to do it and doing it on skis with 3 other ladies in a 4-woman expedition! Bancroft grew up in St. Paul and graduated from the University of Oregon with a Physical Education Degree in 1981. Her fame brings us pure joy here in Minnesota! A Star of the North!
