A port wine stain, also known as Nevus Flammeus, is a birthmark associated with a capillary malformation. It is typically present at birth, but in some cases it can also develop later on. Characterized by a large, incoherent shape and dark red color, the blood vessels in a port wine stain remain wide and can occur anywhere on the body. They mostly affect the facial and head area, though.

The incidence of port wine stains is about 3-5 cases per 1,000 babies born. Despite this fairly rare occurrence, a few famous people have been affected by this anomaly, and it doesn’t seem to have in any way diminished their charisma.

Tina Turner

One of the world’s best-selling music artist of all time, The Queen of Rock’n’Roll has a prominent port wine stain on the back of her right upper arm and shoulder.

Billy Corgan

The famous American musician, songwriter, guitarist and lead singer of the Chicago band The Smashing Pumpkins has an extensive, dark purple-red port wine stain on his left arm and hand.

Mikhail Gorbachev

The former Soviet statesman and President of the Soviet Union in the 1990s probably bears the most famous port wine stain in the world – since it was very distinctively placed right on the top of his head.