| Author Name | Profession | Nationality |
| Yahya Jammeh | Politician | |
| Yasmeen Ghauri | Model | Canadian |
| Yasunari Kawabata | Novelist | Japanese |
| Yo Yo Ma | ||
| Yoshida Kenko | Author | Japanese |
| Yousuf Karsh | Photographer | Canadian |
| Yuan T. Lee | Scientist | Chinese |
| Yukiya Amano | Public Servant | Japanese |
| Yunjin Kim | Actress | South Korean |
| Yunus Emre | Poet | Turkish |
| Yuri Gagarin | Astronaut | Russian |
| Yusef Lateef | Musician | American |
| Yves Saint Laurent | Designer | French |
“And it was the idea that you can do a play - like a Shakespeare play, or any well-written play, Arthur Miller, whatever - and say things you could never imagine saying, never imagine thinking in your own life.”
“God's forgiveness is the only thing. And, well, I take full responsibility for the adultery. It was my fault and, you know, no matter what went on, the man has to take responsibility; and I do.”