WikiPeru • The Encyclopedia of Peru
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Alfonso Santistevan - Playwright and actor

Alfonso Santistevan

Playwright and actor

Alfredo Bryce Echenique - Novelist

Alfredo Bryce Echenique

Novelist

Ana María Intili - Writer and poet

Ana María Intili

Writer and poet

Ángela Leyva - Volleyball player

Ángela Leyva

Volleyball player

Antonio Raimondi - Italian-Peruvian naturalist and geographer

Antonio Raimondi

Italian-Peruvian naturalist and geographer

Arturo Zambo Cavero - Singer and percussionist

Arturo Zambo Cavero

Singer and percussionist

Atahualpa - Last Inca emperor

Atahualpa

Last Inca emperor

Beatriz Merino - Politician, former prime Minister

Beatriz Merino

Politician, former prime Minister

Beto Ortiz - Journalist and TV host

Beto Ortiz

Journalist and TV host

Blanca Varela - Poet

Blanca Varela

Poet

Cahuide - Inca warrior

Cahuide

Inca warrior

Carlos Alcántara - Actor and comedian

Carlos Alcántara

Actor and comedian

Carlos Bustamante - Biophysicist

Carlos Bustamante

Biophysicist

Carlos Germán Belli - Poet

Carlos Germán Belli

Poet

Carlos Monge Medrano - Doctor and researcher

Carlos Monge Medrano

Doctor and researcher

Carlos Rodríguez-Pastor - Businessman, Interbank group

Carlos Rodríguez-Pastor

Businessman, Interbank group

César Hildebrandt - Journalist and writer

César Hildebrandt

Journalist and writer

César Vallejo - Poet and writer

César Vallejo

Poet and writer

Chabuca Granda - Singer and songwriter

Chabuca Granda

Singer and songwriter

Ciro Alegría - Writer

Ciro Alegría

Writer

Claudia Llosa - Film director, Berlin Golden Bear winner

Claudia Llosa

Film director, Berlin Golden Bear winner

Claudio Pizarro - Football player

Claudio Pizarro

Football player

Clorinda Matto de Turner - Writer and journalist

Clorinda Matto de Turner

Writer and journalist

Daniel Alcides Carrión - Doctor and scientist

Daniel Alcides Carrión

Doctor and scientist

Deborah Valença - Photograph

Deborah Valença

Photograph

Deysi Cori - Chess player

Deysi Cori

Chess player

Eduardo Hochschild - Industrialist

Eduardo Hochschild

Industrialist

Edwin Donayre - Former general

Edwin Donayre

Former general

Elmer Huerta - Specialist in public health

Elmer Huerta

Specialist in public health

Érika Villalobos - Actress and singer

Érika Villalobos

Actress and singer

Eva Ayllón - Afro-Peruvian music singer

Eva Ayllón

Afro-Peruvian music singer

Federico Villarreal - Mathematician and engineer

Federico Villarreal

Mathematician and engineer

Felipe Huamán Poma de Ayala - Indigenous chronicler

Felipe Huamán Poma de Ayala

Indigenous chronicler

Fernando Cabieses Molina - Neurologist and anthropologist

Fernando Cabieses Molina

Neurologist and anthropologist

Fernando de Szyszlo - Painter

Fernando de Szyszlo

Painter

Flavio Maestri - Football player

Flavio Maestri

Football player

Francisco Bolognesi - National hero, military leader

Francisco Bolognesi

National hero, military leader

Francisco González Prada - Intellectual and reformer

Francisco González Prada

Intellectual and reformer

Gastón Acurio - Chef and entrepreneur

Gastón Acurio

Chef and entrepreneur

Gerardo Privat - Fashion designer

Gerardo Privat

Fashion designer

Gian Marco - Singer-songwriter

Gian Marco

Singer-songwriter

Gisela Valcárcel - TV presenter

Gisela Valcárcel

TV presenter

Gladys Tejeda - Marathon runner

Gladys Tejeda

Marathon runner

Guaman Poma - Indigenous Peruvian chronicler

Guaman Poma

Indigenous Peruvian chronicler

Gustavo Gutiérrez - Theologian

Gustavo Gutiérrez

Theologian

Héctor Chumpitaz - Former national team captain

Héctor Chumpitaz

Former national team captain

Hernán Garrido Lecca - Economist and former health minister

Hernán Garrido Lecca

Economist and former health minister

Inés Huaylas Yupanqui - Inca princess

Inés Huaylas Yupanqui

Inca princess

Jaime Bayly - Writer and television host

Jaime Bayly

Writer and television host

Jaime Guardia - Folk musician

Jaime Guardia

Folk musician

Javier Heraud - Poet and guerrilla

Javier Heraud

Poet and guerrilla

Javier Pérez de Cuéllar - Former UN secretary-general

Javier Pérez de Cuéllar

Former UN secretary-general

Javier Wong - Chef, known for fusion cuisine

Javier Wong

Chef, known for fusion cuisine

Jefferson Farfán - Football player

Jefferson Farfán

Football player

Jorge Chávez - Peruvian aviation pioneer

Jorge Chávez

Peruvian aviation pioneer

Jorge Eduardo Eielson - Poet and artist

Jorge Eduardo Eielson

Poet and artist

José Carlos Mariátegui - Marxist philosopher and writer

José Carlos Mariátegui

Marxist philosopher and writer

José Graña Miró Quesada - Industrialist and businessman

José Graña Miró Quesada

Industrialist and businessman

José María Arguedas - Novelist and ethnologist

José María Arguedas

Novelist and ethnologist

José Sabogal - Painter and muralist

José Sabogal

Painter and muralist

Juan Diego Flórez - Opera tenor

Juan Diego Flórez

Opera tenor

Juan José Cueva - Fashion designer

Juan José Cueva

Fashion designer

Juan Landázuri Ricketts - Cardinal of Lima

Juan Landázuri Ricketts

Cardinal of Lima

Juan Pablo Varillas - Peruvian tennis player

Juan Pablo Varillas

Peruvian tennis player

Juan Reynoso - Football coach

Juan Reynoso

Football coach

Juan Santos Atahualpa - Leader of the indigenous rebellion

Juan Santos Atahualpa

Leader of the indigenous rebellion

Juan Valer Sandoval - Military hero

Juan Valer Sandoval

Military hero

Leoncio Prado - War of the Pacific hero

Leoncio Prado

War of the Pacific hero

Lina Medina - The youngest mother in history

Lina Medina

The youngest mother in history

Lourdes Flores Nano - Politician

Lourdes Flores Nano

Politician

Lucha Reyes - Creole music singer

Lucha Reyes

Creole music singer

Lucho Horna - Tennis player

Lucho Horna

Tennis player

Lucho Quequezana - Musician

Lucho Quequezana

Musician

Luis Alberto Sánchez - Writer and politician

Luis Alberto Sánchez

Writer and politician

Luis Bedoya Reyes - Politician and founder of the Christian Democratic Party

Luis Bedoya Reyes

Politician and founder of the Christian Democratic Party

Luis Fernando Figari - Founder of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae

Luis Fernando Figari

Founder of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae

Luis Guillermo Lumbreras - Archaeologist and anthropologist

Luis Guillermo Lumbreras

Archaeologist and anthropologist

Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro - Military leader and politician

Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro

Military leader and politician

Magaly Medina - Television host

Magaly Medina

Television host

Magaly Solier - Actress and singer

Magaly Solier

Actress and singer

Margarita Checa - Contemporary sculptor

Margarita Checa

Contemporary sculptor

María Elena Moyano - Women’s rights activist

María Elena Moyano

Women’s rights activist

María Julia Mantilla - Beauty queen

María Julia Mantilla

Beauty queen

María Luisa Aguilar - Astrophysicist

María Luisa Aguilar

Astrophysicist

María Parado de Bellido - Heroine of independence

María Parado de Bellido

Heroine of independence

María Reiche - Mathematician and archaeologist

María Reiche

Mathematician and archaeologist

María Rostworowski - Historian and anthropologist

María Rostworowski

Historian and anthropologist

Mariano Ignacio Prado - Military figure and historical figure

Mariano Ignacio Prado

Military figure and historical figure

Mario Testino - Fashion photographer

Mario Testino

Fashion photographer

Mario Vargas Llosa - Writer, Nobel Prize in Literature, Politician

Mario Vargas Llosa

Writer, Nobel Prize in Literature, Politician

Mateo Pumacahua - Revolutionary leader

Mateo Pumacahua

Revolutionary leader

Máxima Acuña - Environmental activist

Máxima Acuña

Environmental activist

Micaela Bastidas - Leader of the indigenous rebellion

Micaela Bastidas

Leader of the indigenous rebellion

Michael Spitzer - Musician from Gaia band

Michael Spitzer

Musician from Gaia band

Miguel Grau - War hero

Miguel Grau

War hero

Miguel Iglesias - Military leader and politician

Miguel Iglesias

Military leader and politician

Mitsuharu Tsumura - Chef, known for Nikkei cuisine

Mitsuharu Tsumura

Chef, known for Nikkei cuisine

Natalia Málaga - Volleyball coach and former player

Natalia Málaga

Volleyball coach and former player

Nélida Sifuentes - Environmental activist

Nélida Sifuentes

Environmental activist

Nicola Porcella - Television personality

Nicola Porcella

Television personality

Oswaldo Reynoso - Writer

Oswaldo Reynoso

Writer

Paolo Guerrero - Football player

Paolo Guerrero

Football player

Patricia García - Epidemiologist and former health Minister

Patricia García

Epidemiologist and former health Minister

Pedro Paulet - Inventor and aerospace pioneer

Pedro Paulet

Inventor and aerospace pioneer

Pedro Ruiz Gallo - Soldier and inventor

Pedro Ruiz Gallo

Soldier and inventor

Pedro Suárez Vértiz - Rock singer

Pedro Suárez Vértiz

Rock singer

Pía León - Chef and co-owner of Central restaurant

Pía León

Chef and co-owner of Central restaurant

Ramón Castilla Márquez - Painter

Ramón Castilla Márquez

Painter

Raúl Ruidíaz - Football player

Raúl Ruidíaz

Football player

Rebeca Escribens - TV presenter and actress

Rebeca Escribens

TV presenter and actress

Ricardo Blume - Actor

Ricardo Blume

Actor

Ricardo Palma - Writer and historian

Ricardo Palma

Writer and historian

Rosa María Palacios - Journalist and lawyer

Rosa María Palacios

Journalist and lawyer

Ruth Shady - Archaeologist, founder of Caral site

Ruth Shady

Archaeologist, founder of Caral site

Saint Martin de Porres - Monk and Saint

Saint Martin de Porres

Monk and Saint

Saint Rose of Lima - Saint, patron of Latin America

Saint Rose of Lima

Saint, patron of Latin America

Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo - Physicist and engineer

Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo

Physicist and engineer

Sofía Mulanovich - World champion surfer

Sofía Mulanovich

World champion surfer

Sofía Rocha - Actress

Sofía Rocha

Actress

Sophie Jallais - Oncologist

Sophie Jallais

Oncologist

Susana Baca - Singer, Latin Grammy winner

Susana Baca

Singer, Latin Grammy winner

Susana Villarán - Former mayor of Lima

Susana Villarán

Former mayor of Lima

Tania Libertad - Singer

Tania Libertad

Singer

Tatiana Astengo - Actress

Tatiana Astengo

Actress

Teodoro Fernández - Former football player

Teodoro Fernández

Former football player

Teodoro Núñez Ureta - Painter

Teodoro Núñez Ureta

Painter

Teófilo Cubillas - Former football player

Teófilo Cubillas

Former football player

Tilsa Tsuchiya - Painter

Tilsa Tsuchiya

Painter

Titu Cusi Yupanqui - Inca leader

Titu Cusi Yupanqui

Inca leader

Toribio de Mogrovejo - Archbishop, saint

Toribio de Mogrovejo

Archbishop, saint

Túpac Amaru II - Leader of the indigenous rebellion

Túpac Amaru II

Leader of the indigenous rebellion

Túpac Katari - Revolutionary indigenous leader

Túpac Katari

Revolutionary indigenous leader

Víctor Andrés Belaunde - Diplomat and intellectual

Víctor Andrés Belaunde

Diplomat and intellectual

Víctor Delfín - Sculptor and painter

Víctor Delfín

Sculptor and painter

Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre - Political leader, founder of APRA

Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre

Political leader, founder of APRA

Violeta Bermúdez - Lawyer and Former prime minister

Violeta Bermúdez

Lawyer and Former prime minister

Virgilio Martínez - Chef of Central restaurant

Virgilio Martínez

Chef of Central restaurant

Vladimiro Montesinos - Former head of secret services

Vladimiro Montesinos

Former head of secret services

Wendy Sulca - Popular singer

Wendy Sulca

Popular singer

Yirko Sivirich - Fashion designer

Yirko Sivirich

Fashion designer

Yma Sumac - Exotic music singer

Yma Sumac

Exotic music singer

César Hildebrandt - Investigative Journalist and Icon of Peruvian Journalism

César Hildebrandt - Journalist and writer

César Hildebrandt is one of Peru's most respected and influential journalists, primarily known for his work as an investigative journalist. With a career spanning several decades, Hildebrandt has shaped Peruvian journalism by uncovering numerous political and economic scandals. His professional rigor and commitment to truth have made him a central figure in the fight for a free and independent press in the country.

Early life and beginnings in journalism

César Hildebrandt was born on January 7, 1948, in Lima, Peru. From a young age, he was interested in the world of writing and journalism. Initially, he studied law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, but his passion for writing and current events led him to enter journalism. His early experiences in local media saw him quickly stand out for his incisive style and his refusal to bow to censorship or self-censorship.

During the 1970s, Hildebrandt began to gain renown as a columnist and investigative journalist, particularly for his political coverage. It was during this period that he earned respect for his commitment to truth, often at the expense of his own safety.

Pioneer of investigative journalism in Peru

Investigative journalism has always been César Hildebrandt's focus. Early in his career, he decided to dedicate himself to exposing abuses of power and corruption within the Peruvian political class. This choice earned him many enemies, but it also cemented his status as an emblem of journalistic integrity in the country.

Hildebrandt became a familiar face to millions of Peruvians through his television show « En Persona », where he delved into political events of the time, openly criticizing the authorities. His rigorous investigations often brought to light corruption cases that had previously been ignored or hidden by more conservative mainstream media.

Conflicts with power and censorship

Throughout his career, César Hildebrandt faced numerous attempts at censorship. Authoritarian or corrupt political regimes repeatedly tried to silence his critical voice. During the government of Alberto Fujimori in the 1990s, Hildebrandt was one of the few media figures who dared to denounce state abuses, human rights violations, and widespread corruption, particularly by Vladimiro Montesinos, the head of intelligence services at the time.

Due to his commitment, several of his programs were shut down, and he was fired from multiple media outlets for refusing to bow to political or economic pressures. However, these situations never deterred him from continuing his work. Each attempt to silence him only strengthened his determination to reveal the truth to the public.

The importance of press freedom

Throughout his career, César Hildebrandt has been a strong advocate of press freedom. For him, the press plays a crucial role in democracy by holding authorities accountable and ensuring that citizens are transparently and impartially informed. His strong stance in favor of an independent press has influenced generations of journalists in both Peru and Latin America.

In 2010, he launched his own newspaper, « Hildebrandt en sus trece », a weekly publication he directs. The aim of this paper is to continue his investigative work without the constraints imposed by large media groups. True to his style, Hildebrandt uses this outlet to expose power abuses, political and economic scandals, and social injustices, all while upholding the principles of a free and independent press.

Recognition and impact

Over the years, César Hildebrandt has become an emblematic figure in Latin American journalism. His influence transcends Peru’s borders, and he is often invited to speak at international conferences on press freedom and investigative journalism. Though controversial at times, his integrity and perseverance have made him a role model for many journalists, both in Peru and abroad.

Hildebrandt has been recognized for his bravery and commitment to truth, receiving multiple awards for his contributions to journalism. He is widely respected for his uncompromising approach, even when faced with threats or economic pressures. His work has helped uncover numerous political scandals, often shaping public opinion and influencing political decisions.

Style and influence on modern journalism

César Hildebrandt’s journalistic style is often described as direct, incisive, and uncompromising. Unlike many other journalists, Hildebrandt never hesitated to name those responsible for corruption or abuses of power, even if it meant confronting influential figures or powerful institutions. This approach earned him a loyal audience, especially among those seeking unfiltered information free of commercial or political interests.

As a mentor to younger journalists, Hildebrandt has also influenced how investigative journalism is perceived and practiced in Peru. His articles, television reports, and now his publications in « Hildebrandt en sus trece » are often studied as examples of journalism committed to truth and justice.

A lasting legacy

César Hildebrandt has left an indelible mark on Peruvian journalism. With a career spanning several decades, his commitment to freedom of expression and transparency has transformed the country’s media landscape. Through his work, he has revealed uncomfortable truths that the public often found hard to accept, contributing to the creation of a more informed and critical society.

Hildebrandt remains active in journalism and continues to inspire new generations of journalists. His legacy is that of a man who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of truth, never being intimidated by censorship, threats, or economic pressures. He has shown that journalism can be a powerful tool for social and political change when journalists remain true to their principles.

Conclusion

César Hildebrandt is one of Peru’s most respected and influential journalists. His career is a testament to the power of investigative journalism and the importance of press freedom in a democracy. By exposing corruption, denouncing abuses of power, and refusing to bow to external pressures, Hildebrandt has helped transform Peru’s political and media landscape. His work continues to inspire journalists and press freedom advocates worldwide.