7 Notable alumni of Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski”
Updated: May 28, 2026 EliteDegrees
Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski” is ranked #2,425 in the world and #3 in Bulgaria by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 7 notable alumni from Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski” sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski” won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Rumen Leonidov
1953-. (aged 73)
writer
journalist
publisher
translator
poet
Rumen Leonidov is a Bulgarian poet, translator, journalist and publisher. He has published nine books and received numerous Bulgarian as well as international awards for poetry. He was born in Sofia and earned a degree in Bulgarian philology from Plovdiv University.
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2. Alexander Sekulov
1964-. (aged 62)
playwright
poet
writer
entrepreneur
publisher
Alexander Sekulov is a contemporary Bulgarian writer. He graduated professional school for stage arts as an assistant producer and Bulgarian philology as a master at the Plovdiv University Paisiy Hilendarski. Sekulov's poetry and prose had been translated into English, German, French and Hungarian.
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3. Mirela Ivanova
1962-. (aged 64)
poet
writer
translator
Mirela Ivanova is one of the most famous modern Bulgarian poets. Her poems have been translated into many different languages, including German and English.
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4. Ivan Demerdzhiev
1975-. (aged 51)
jurist
politician
Ivan Demerdzhiev is a Bulgarian attorney and politician who served in four caretaker governments during the 2021–2023 Bulgarian political crisis. He is married and has two children.
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5. Mariya Gabriel
1979-. (aged 47)
politician
Mariya Ivanova Gabriel is a Bulgarian politician, president of the Robert Schuman Institute. She served as Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2023 to 2024. A member of the GERB party, she previously served as European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth from 2019 to 2023, European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society...
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6. Ekaterina Zaharieva
1975-. (aged 51)
jurist-consultant
lawyer
politician
Ekaterina Spasova Gecheva-Zaharieva is a Bulgarian politician serving as European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation. She served as Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 2017 to 2021 and on two occasions from 2013 to 2014. A member of the GERB party, she also served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2017 to 2021, Minister of Justice from 2015 to...
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7. Hristo Aleksiev
1980-. (aged 46)
politician
Hristo Alexiev is a Bulgarian politician who has held significant positions in the Bulgarian government, including serving as Minister of Transport and Communications in three caretaker governments between 2021 and 2023. He also served as Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policies from 2022 to 2023.
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