Presidents of Colombia

Outstanding People in Various Fields

Religious Figures

His Eminence Cardinal Alfonso López (1935-2008).
He served as Emeritus Archbishop of Medellín and President of the Pontifical Council for the Family.
Ordained as a Cardinal by the Pope John Paul II, he received the red skull-cap and the title of S. Prisca. He was born in Villahermosa (Tolima).

Scientist

Manuel Elkin Patarroyo – Medical doctor and biochemist
An immunologist and medical researcher who developed the world's first safe and effective laboratory vaccine against Malaria, he had drug companies offer him more than 67 million dollars for the rights to the vaccine. Instead, he chose to donate them to the World Health Organization.
The scientific world has bestowed him with over 50 awards, such as "The Edinburgh Medal" which is the highest recognition England grants to a scientist, the “Prince of Asturias Prize" and the " Robert Koch Prize ".
Patarroyo has been a professor and an author of three scientific books and more than 100 publications. He was born in Ataco in 1946.

Colombian Culture and Television

Gloria Valencia de Castaño (1927–2011). Journalist, promoter of Colombian culture, TV hostess.
One of the dearest and most appreciated people in Colombia has to be Gloria Valencia. Her intellect, grace and elegance made her deserve the title of "First Lady of the Colombian television".
This great promoter of Colombian culture was an excellent television hostess, dealing with a wide range of subjects.
Among the many recognitions she received are the Nemqueteba Prize, which is awarded to the best hostess in the country, the Simón Bolívar National Prize on Journalism and the "Catalina de Oro " prize.
To honour her memory, in 2012 it was created the 'Gloria Valencia Law' to support the advancement of the country's protected areas. The new law also changes the name of Las Hermosas National Park , to ' Gloria Valencia ' National Park .
The jornalist e was born in Ibagué.