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TIME100 2025: Meet the Six Latinos Shaping the World
TIME just dropped its 2025 TIME100 list, the yearly who’s who of the most influential people in the world, and six Latinos made the cut. From artists to activists, presidents to fashion disruptors, here are all the names that appeared on the list
Diego Luna
Diego Luna has been involved in storytelling since he was a kid hanging out backstage in the theater. Widely recognized for his role as Cassian Andor in Star Wars, his influence extends way beyond a single character. Luna uses his platform to infuse depth, dignity, and complexity into Latin American characters and narratives that Hollywood often overlooks.
Whether he’s acting, directing, or producing, each project he tackles has a purpose. His longtime friend Gael García Bernal talked about Luna’s journey, highlighting the joy and authenticity he brings to the screen and everyone around him. “His laughter resonates and expands,” Gael noted. That line captures it all.
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Willy Chavarria
When designer Willy Chavarria sends a collection down the runway, it’s not just about the clothes. It’s about who gets to wear them. It’s about whose stories get told. And for Latinos, especially Chicanos, his work feels like recognition in an industry that hasn’t always made space for them.
Becky G, who walked in his show during Paris Fashion Week, shared how deeply his designs affected her. “When I wear Willy Chavarria, I feel badass,” she wrote. And beyond just aesthetics, she called his creativity “groundbreaking” for the way it centers culture, pride, and people who have often been left out of the fashion conversation. Willy makes fashion personal, political, and powerfully rooted in identity.
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María Corina Machado
In Venezuela, María Corina Machado has become a symbol of resistance. As a longtime opposition leader, she’s consistently challenged the Maduro regime, even though she’s been banned from leaving the country and faces numerous political roadblocks. Her leadership isn’t just for show. It’s brave, unwavering, and founded on her strong belief in a free and democratic Venezuela.
Senator Marco Rubio, who has known her for over a decade, described her as “the personification of resilience.” Despite every hurdle, she’s stayed committed to her vision. For many people across Latin America, her voice represents hope.
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Javier Milei
Few leaders have shaken things up on the global stage this year like Javier Milei, Argentina’s president. Known for his daring economic reforms and polarizing rhetoric, he’s been described as a political outlier armed with a chainsaw (both literally and symbolically).
Since taking office, he’s rolled out aggressive changes aimed at controlling inflation and reorganizing Argentina’s political landscape. Political analyst Ian Bremmer admits he was skeptical at first, but now sees Milei as the G-20 leader taking the biggest risks with real outcomes. Poverty rates have dropped, and inflation is slowing down. His policies have stirred debate, but he’s shifted the country’s trajectory.
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Anthony D. Romero
Born to Puerto Rican parents in the Bronx, Anthony D. Romero made history as the first Latino and first openly gay executive director of the ACLU. Since 2001, he’s guided the organization through pivotal moments, from post-9/11 civil liberties cases to today’s battles for voting rights, LGBTQ+ protections, and free speech. Darren Walker lauded Romero as one of the giants of American civil rights, likening him to leaders such as Thomas Jefferson and John Stuart Mill. Romero’s influence shines not just in what he stands for, but in how he does it: with clarity, consistency, and an unwavering belief in equality.
Sandra Díaz
Argentinian ecologist Sandra Díaz has spent her career diving deep into the wonders of the natural world, not just tallying up species, but uncovering the essential roles each one plays in keeping ecosystems thriving. Her pioneering research on functional biodiversity has been a game-changer, influencing global discussions on climate change, extinction, and conservation.
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema likened Díaz to a remarkable teacher: someone who doesn’t just memorize every student’s name, but truly grasps how they interact, develop, and transform together. That’s how Sandra views the Earth. She’s not just a scientist; she’s a passionate advocate. And in the face of serious environmental challenges, her perspective is vital.
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The Latinos on this year’s TIME100 list remind us that influence comes in many shapes. It might look like a red carpet, a protest, a lab, a political rally, a courtroom, or even a runway. It’s about showing up with purpose, standing firm in your identity, and using your platform, no matter the size, to drive change. These are the voices that are helping to redefine what leadership looks like today.
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