# List of Hmong people

This is a list of some well-known Hmong individuals throughout the world. The Hmong are an Asian ethnic group from the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.

## Academics

* Dia Cha, author, former professor and anthropologist, St. Cloud State University, Minnesota
* Mai Na Lee, historian and University of Minnesota professor
* Vang Pobzeb, PhD. Laos and Hmong Scholar; founder and past President of Lao Human Rights Council, Inc.

## Actors

* Ahney Her, actress, best known as Sue Lor in Gran Torino
* Bee Vang, actor, best known as Thao Vang Lor in Gran Torino
* Brenda Song, Disney channel actress/teen star, known for The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and The Suite Life on Deck; Song is an anglicized spelling of "Xiong"
* Chen Zi You, 陈子由, Miao model and actor
* Doua Moua, actor, known for Gran Torino and Disney's Mulan.
* Sandy'Ci Moua, Hmong American actress; community organizer; production assistant and consultant
* Song Jia Ling, 宋佳玲, Miao actor and sister of Song Zuying
* Yang Xi Zi, 杨肸子, Miao actress and singer, starred in Love and Redemption and Immortal Samsara

## Athletes

* Long Qingquan, 龙清泉, Miao Olympian; won a gold medal in Men's 56 kg weightlifting for China in the 2008 Beijing Olympics
* Megan Khang, first Hmong professional golfer, started playing golf at 5 1/2 yrs old, from Massachusetts
* Sunisa Lee, artistic gymnast, first Hmong-American to qualify for the US Olympic Team, 2020/2021 all-around Olympic gold medalist, and 2024 all-around Olympic Bronze Medalist
* Xiong Chaozhong, Xiong Zhong Zhao, 熊朝忠, Miao (Hmong) light flyweight boxer of Wenshan, China
* Yia Moua, known as the Bull, former Muay Thai kickboxing champion
* Zou Shiming, 邹市明, the most successful amateur boxer from the People's Republic of China; won two world titles in 2005 and 2007 and the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the light flyweight (-48 kg) division

## Politicians

* Blong Xiong, first Asian American and Hmong American to serve on the Fresno City Council (2006)
* Cy Thao, Minnesota State Representative
* Foung Hawj (侯祝福 | ຝົງ ເຮີ), pioneer Hmong-American broadcaster; media artist; Minnesota State Senator elected in 2012
* Joe Bee Xiong, first Hmong American elected to public office in the state of Wisconsin, serving two terms as Eau Claire City councilman
* Kristy Yang, first elected Hmong American Judge.
* Kazoua Kong-Thao, first Hmong American to serve on the Saint Paul School Board of Education
* Lormong Lo, former Omaha City Councilman
* Mai Vang, first Hmong woman elected to the Sacramento City Council
* Mary Thao, first Hmong woman elected to office in Wisconsin.
* Mayyer Thao, appointed as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority by Governor Tony Evers.
* Mee Moua, Minnesota State Senator
* Nattaphone Suepsakwong (Keng Yang), the first Hmong person to be elected into the Royal Thai Parliament. He was also an actor.
* Noah Lor, first Hmong American to be elected Mayor Pro-Tempore in the City of Merced's history; elected as city councilman in Merced in 2007 and re-elected again in 2011
* Pa Kao Her, after the Secret War in Laos, Her fled to Thailand and organized a political movement to take back the country of Laos.
* Pany Yathotou, the first Hmong woman to become the vice president of Laos and is currently serving alongside Bounthong Chitmany. She was the chairwoman and governor of the Bank of the Lao P.D.R from 1988 to 1997. She was also the President of the National Assembly of Laos from 2010 to 2021.
* Sheng Thao, First Hmong Woman to serve on the Oakland City Council
* SomXai Vue First Hmong American served in the Thornton City Council in Colorado.
* Steve Ly, First Mayor in the United States of America of Hmong descent - Mayor of Elk Grove, California
* Dr. Tony Vang, first Hmong elected as a member of the Fresno Unified school board in Fresno, California
* Touby Lyfoung, Hmong politician in Laos, served in several ministries in the Royal Lao Government, and key adviser to the King. After the war, Lyfoung was captured and tortured to death by the Communist Pathet Lao.
* Yee Leng Xiong, Elected to the DC Everest School Board, Marathon County Board, and Village of Weston Board in Wisconsin. He is currently the Board Vice President of the DC Everest Board of Education.
* Vuong Chinh Duc (1865 - 1947) ( RPA : Vaj Tsoov Loom ) was a H'Mong king ( also known as King Meo ) with his kingdom in Dong Van district, Ha Giang province, Vietnam

## Artists

* April Yang, YouTube star with over 2 million subscribers
* Asee Her, the first Hmong man crowned as Mister Universe Laos 2023.
* Cao Lu, idol singer of Korean group Fiestar
* Fei Yang, YouTube star with over 1 million subscribers. Her channel is called, heyitsfeiii.
* Fres Thao, hip hop and spoken word artist
* Ge Lee, music critic and first known certified Hmong translator as well as Social Media Heavyweight. Also a videographer
* Johnny Plastik - Founder of Kind Beats, a Hmong DJ group formed in Minnesota.
* Laolee Xiong, founder of The Vocal Network a cappella group and Techapella singing showcase
* Lei Ahyouduo, ethnic Miao Chinese singer
* Lexus ”Lexi” Vang, contestant of survival show A2K and member of American/Korean girl group VCHA produced by JYP Entertainment
* Leekong Xiong, famous singer from Laos
* Luo Zheng, 罗正, Miao singer, actor, and former member of the Chinese project boy group MR-X
* Luj Yaj, singer from Thailand
* Pao Houa Her, photographer, first Hmong graduate of Yale University's Photography MFA program, 2023 Guggenheim Fellow, featured artist in the 2022 Whitney Biennial.
* Payengxa Lor, the first Hmong woman to be crowned as Miss Universe Laos 2022 and was one of the Top 16 contestants in Miss Universe 2022.
* Song Zuying, 宋祖英, ethnic Miao Chinese singer
* Tou Ger Xiong, diversity consultant, comedian, storyteller, and rapper
* Trinity Vang, Hmong-American storyteller and digital creator. Founder of TRIN Collective which was featured at Urban Outfitters. First Hmong-American woman to be presented the Inna Meiman Human Rights award by the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities.
* Yasmi Pajyi Yang, Hmong international singer, songwriter, actress, model, entrepreneur

## Authors

* Houa Vue Moua, author and community activist
* Ka Vang, writer
* Kao Kalia Yang, Hmong American writer; author of The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir; her work has appeared in the Paj Ntaub Voice Hmong Literary Journal and numerous other publications
* Lori M. Lee, author of the book, Pahua and The Soul Stealer
* Mai Neng Moua, writer
* Shen Congwen, 沈从文, Miao Chinese writer from the May Fourth Movement

## Journalists

* Doualy Xaykaothao, freelance American journalist and radio producer known for her work with NPR
* Zoua Vang, first Hmong-American mainstream television journalist

## Religious leaders

* Chervang Kong Vang, Reverend; a Hmong minister who established United Christians Liberty Evangelical Church, the first Hmong independent church organization, and also the creator of the Nyiakeng Puachue Hmong script.
* Wang Zhiming, Miao pastor; memorialized above the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey

## Military leaders

* Lieutenant Colonel Hang Sao
* Pa Chay Vue, a leading member of the Madman's War, a rebellion against the French colonialism in Southeast Asia, especially in Vietnam.
* Qin Liangyu, 秦良玉, Miao Chinese General of the Ming Dynasty; highest ranking female general of Chinese history
* Vang Pao, Royal Lao Army Major General; revered Hmong Leader; commander of CIA-supported Hmong forces during the Laotian Civil War
* Vu Pa Chay (Hmong: Vwj Paj Cai, Hmong Vietnamese: Vux Pax Chai, a Hmong leader who revolted against the French imperialist in northern Vietnam and Laos
* Zong Zoua Her, a Hmong anti-Pathet Lao and leader of a resistant group in Laos.

## Community leaders

* Cherzong Vang, St. Paul Community Leader; Lao and Hmong veterans' leader, Lao Veterans of America
* Wangyee Vang, President of Lao Veterans of America Institute; Lao and Hmong community veterans' leader

## Entrepreneurs

* Cheng Kue, first Hmong American footwear designer and Hmong entrepreneur to appear on ABC Shark Tank [Season 15 Episode 21] April 19th, 2024
* Xao "Jerry" Yang, 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion and currently owner of several sushi-inspired restaurants in Las Vegas and California.

## Other notable people

* Chai Vang, ex-National Guardsman; convicted multiple murderer
* Lan Yezhen (蓝业珍) or Lan Ni (蓝妮), granddaughter of Lan Heguang (蓝和光), a Miao king in Jianshui County, Yunnan, and mistress of Sun Fo, son of Sun Yat-sen.
* Lia Lee, subject of the 1997 book The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
* Calvin Cha, student of Western Washington University
* Angela Z Yang, badass