List of Latin American Nobel laureates


The Nobel Prize is an annual, international prize first awarded in 1901 for achievements in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and [Nobel Nobel Peace Prize|Peace Prize|Peace], with an associated prize in Economics awarded since 1969. As of October 2025, Nobel Prizes had been awarded to 965 individuals, of whom 18 were Latin American recipients.
Latin Americans have received awards in four of the six award categories: seven in Peace, six in Literature, three in Physiology or Medicine, and two in Chemistry. The first Latin American recipient, Carlos Saavedra Lamas, was awarded the Peace Prize in 1936. The most recent, María Corina Machado, was awarded the Peace Prize in 2025.
Among the Latin American laureates, two served as heads of state or government of their respective countries upon receiving the Nobel Prize. Those include Óscar Arias Sánchez of Costa Rica and Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, who were presidents; both of them were awarded the Peace Prize.

Chemistry

Two Latin Americans have been given the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
YearImageLaureateCountryComment
1970Luis F. LeloirArgentina

Physiology or Medicine

Three Latin Americans have been given the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
YearImageLaureateCountryComment
1947Bernardo Alberto HoussayArgentina

Literature

Six Latin Americans have been given the Nobel Prize in Literature.
YearImageLaureateCountryComment
1945Gabriela MistralChile

Peace

Seven Latin Americans have been given the Nobel Peace Prize.
YearImageLaureateCountryComment
1936Carlos Saavedra LamasArgentina