Notable Alumni of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” [Sorted List]

1. Ivaylo Vulchev

1972-. (aged 54)

poet screenwriter politician

Ivaylo Vanev Valchev is a Bulgarian poet, screenwriter, lyricist, and politician of There is Such a People (ITN). He was elected member of the European Parliament in 2024.

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2. Mihail Mikov

1960-. (aged 66)

politician

Mihail Raykov Mikov is a Bulgarian politician who was Chairman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) from 2014 to 2016. He is a parliamentarian with six consecutive terms as a deputy in the National Assembly. His career in the legislature culminated in his election as Chairman of the 42nd National Assembly on May 21, 2013. Mikov was Minister of Interior...

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3. Assen Razcvetnikov

1897-1951 (aged 54)

writer librarian children's writer translator poet

Assen Raztsvetnikov was a Bulgarian poet, writer and translator.

4. Boris Velchev

1962-. (aged 64)

judge politician

Boris Vladimirov Velchev is a Bulgarian jurist who served as the chief prosecutor of Bulgaria between 2006 and 2012, being the youngest person to hold the position.

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5. Rumiana Jeleva

1969-. (aged 57)

university teacher politician

Rumiana Ruseva Jeleva was Bulgaria's minister of foreign affairs (July 2009 – January 2010), the third woman to hold this office after Irina Bokova and Nadezhda Mihailova. Jeleva was a key figure in the "GERB" political party which won the 2009 parliamentary elections. From 2007 to 2009, she served as Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and headed the Bulgarian...

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6. Boyko Vasilev

1970-. (aged 56)

journalist television presenter

Boyko Vassilev Petrov is a Bulgarian journalist who is the producer and presenter of the weekly TV show Panorama that airs on Bulgarian National Television.

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7. Milen Ruskov

1966-. (aged 60)

linguist writer translator

Milen Ruskov is a Bulgarian writer and translator. He graduated from Sofia University in 1995.

8. Pavel Chernev

1969-2016 (aged 47)

lawyer politician

Pavel Mihaylov Chernev was a Bulgarian politician and lawyer. He was also one of the MPs who opposed the Independence of Kosovo.

9. Christo Pimpirev

1953-. (aged 73)

geologist explorer polar explorer

Christo Pimpirev is a Bulgarian scientist (geologist) and polar explorer.

10. Eizzaldin al-Manasrah

1946-2021 (aged 75)

academic poet literary critic university teacher

Izz Al-Din Manasirah Arabic: عز الدين المناصرة — 11 April 1946 – 5 April 2021) was a Palestinian poet, critic, intellectual and academic born in the town of Bani Naim, Hebron Governorate, Palestine. Winner of several prizes as a cadet and an academic, he was a poet of the Palestinian resistance from the late 1960s on, and his name was...

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11. Blagovest Sendov

1932-2020 (aged 88)

university teacher politician diplomat statesperson mathematician

Blagovest Hristov Sendov was a Bulgarian mathematician, diplomat and politician.

12. Lyuben Berov

1925-2006 (aged 81)

university teacher economist politician

Lyuben Borisov Berov was a Bulgarian economist who served as the Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 1992 to 1994. A political independent, he previously held the role of an economic adviser to President Zhelyu Zhelev.

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13. Stanke Dimitrov

1889-1944 (aged 55)

politician

Stefan Dimitrov Todorov, better known as Stanke Dimitrov (Станке Димитров) or under the pseudonym Marek (Марек), was a high-ranking Bulgarian Communist Party activist and anti-fascist.

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14. Ivailo Petrov

1923-2005 (aged 82)

writer painter

Ivailo Petrov was a Bulgarian writer, who authored a number of short stories. His work focuses on traditional village life in Bulgaria.

15. Miroslav Borshosh

1972-. (aged 54)

cultural studies scholar politician entrepreneur film producer radio personality

Miroslav Laslo Borshosh; born 8 December 1972) is a Bulgarian politician serving as minister of tourism since 2025. From 2014 to 2017, he served as director of the National Palace of Culture.

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16. Alek Popov

1966-2024 (aged 58)

writer playwright opinion journalist screenwriter

Alek Vasilev Popov was a Bulgarian novelist, short story writer, essayist and scriptwriter, author of the novel Mission London.

17. Dimo Hadzhidimov

1875-1924 (aged 49)

journalist politician

Dimo Hadzhidimov or Dimo Hadži Dimov was a Macedonian Bulgarian teacher, revolutionary and politician who was among the leaders and main ideologist of the left-wing of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO). He was also member of the Bulgarian Workers' Social Democratic Party, and later the Bulgarian Communist Party, from which he became a deputy in the Bulgarian Parliament.

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18. Petar Poparsov

1868-1941 (aged 73)

teacher politician

Petar Poparsov or Petar Pop Arsov (Macedonian: Петар Поп Арсов; 14 August 1868 – 1 January 1941) was a Macedonian Bulgarian revolutionary, teacher and one of the founders of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO). He was also a founder of the Young Macedonian Literary Society.

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19. Pavel Shatev

1882-1951 (aged 69)

lawyer teacher revolutionary politician

Pavel Potsev Shatev was an anarchist, socialist, revolutionary, lawyer, and member of the left-wing of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO) from Macedonia. As a member of the anarchist group Boatmen of Thessaloniki, he participated in the Thessaloniki bombings in 1903. Following World War I, Shatev worked as an agent of the Soviet Union and the Communist International. In 1945...

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20. Rumyana Bachvarova

1959-. (aged 67)

politician

Rumyana Bachvarova is a Bulgarian GERB politician. Since November 7, 2014 she was Deputy Prime Minister in charge of coalition policy and state administration in the Second Borisov Cabinet. On 11 March 2015, the Minister of Interior Veselin Vuchkov was replaced by Rumyana Bachvarova, who also kept her position as a Deputy PM. She has been credited with being a...

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21. Venko Markovski

1915-1988 (aged 73)

poet writer politician

Venko Markovski, born Veniyamin Milanov Toshev (Bulgarian: Вениямин Миланов Тошев, romanized: Veniyamin Milanov Toshev; Macedonian: Вениамин Миланов Тошев, romanized: Veniamin Milanov Tošev; March 5, 1915 – January 7, 1988), was a Bulgarian and Macedonian writer, poet, partisan and Communist politician. He participated in the Macedonian Literary Circle. Markovski contributed to the creation of a Macedonian literary language and alphabet. After...

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22. Dimitar Vlahov

1878-1953 (aged 75)

military officer teacher politician diplomat political commissar

Dimitar Vlahov was a politician, communist activist and member of the left-wing of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO) from the region of Macedonia. Vlahov was a member of the Ottoman Parliament, as well as a member and co-founder of People's Federative Party (Bulgarian Section). He was a co-founder and leader of IMRO (United). After World War II, he took...

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23. Denitsa Sacheva

1973-. (aged 53)

businessperson politician

Denitsa Evgenieva Sacheva is a Bulgarian politician serving as a member of the National Assembly since 2021. From 2019 to 2021, she served as minister of labor and social policy.

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24. Radan Kanev

1975-. (aged 51)

lawyer politician

Radan Milenov Kanev is a Bulgarian politician who is currently a Member of the European Parliament. A member of the DSB party, which he led from 2013 to 2017, he previously served as Member of the National Assembly from 2014 to 2017.

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25. Georgi Bliznashki

1956-. (aged 70)

university teacher politician

Georgi Petkov Bliznashki is a Bulgarian politician who served as Prime Minister of Bulgaria in 2014, leading a caretaker government. A member of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, from which he was expelled in 2014, Bliznashki consecutively served as Observer and Member of the European Parliament from 2005 to 2007. He was also a Member of the National Assembly from 1991...

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26. Lyuben Dilov

1927-2008 (aged 81)

writer science fiction writer

Lyuben Dilov Ivanov, occasionally spelled Luben Dilov, Ljuben Dilov or Liuben Dilov was a Bulgarian science fiction writer of the Communist era and the author of acclaimed children's fiction and non-fiction works. He is the father of Bulgarian politician and screenwriter Lyuben Dilov Jr., who currently serves in the 49th National Assembly.

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27. Iva Miteva

1972-. (aged 54)

jurist politician

Iva Miteva Yordanova-Rupcheva is a Bulgarian lawyer and politician who was the Speaker of the 45th National Assembly and the 46th National Assembly.

28. Petar Beron

1940-. (aged 86)

cave biologist speleologist zoologist parasitologist entomologist

Petar Beron, born 14 March 1940 in Sofia, Bulgaria, is a Bulgarian academic and politician. He was leader of the United Democratic Forces (SDS) in from August 1990 to 4 December 1990 (heading the second-largest political party at the time). He was a vice-presidential candidate in 1992 and a presidential candidate in 2001 and 2006.

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29. Emil Koshlukov

1965-. (aged 61)

journalist politician

Emil Iliev Koshlukov is a Bulgarian journalist, media manager and former politician.

30. Margarita Popova

1956-. (aged 70)

politician

Margarita Stefanova Popova is a Bulgarian jurist, prosecutor, educator who was the vice president of Bulgaria from 2012 to 2017. She previously served as Minister of Justice from 27 July 2009 to 4 September 2011 in the cabinet of Boyko Borisov. As the running mate of presidential candidate Rosen Plevneliev in the October 2011 presidential election, she was elected as...

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31. Daniel Valchev

1962-. (aged 64)

politician docent

Daniel Vasilev Valchev is a Bulgarian politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Science from 2005 to 2009. A member of the NDSV party, he was previously a Member of the National Assembly from 2001 to 2005. Valchev is now politically inactive and has served as the Dean of the Faculty of Law at Sofia...

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32. Aleksandar Lilov

1933-2013 (aged 80)

politician philosopher

Aleksandar Vasilev Lilov was a Bulgarian politician and philosopher. At his career's height during the People's Republic of Bulgaria, he was described as the second most powerful man of the regime; however, he fell out of favor in 1983 and lost his power. He made a strong political comeback during the democratic transition and was elected chairman of the Bulgarian...

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33. Radostin Vasilev

1985-. (aged 41)

politician

Radostin Petev Vasilev is a Bulgarian politician who served as Minister of Youth and Sports from 2021 to 2022.. Formerly affiliated with the ITN and PP parties successively, he also served as Member of the National Assembly from 2021 to 2024. In 2024, Vasilev founded his own political party, Morality, Unity, Honour, and became its leader.

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34. Philip Dimitrov

1955-. (aged 71)

jurist judge diplomat lawyer politician

Philip Dimitrov Dimitrov is a Bulgarian politician, Prime Minister of Bulgaria 1991–2, MP in the 36th (1991–1994), 37th (1994–1997) and the 40th (2005–2007) National Assembly, and MEP from January 2007 to May 2007.

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35. Leda Mileva

1920-2013 (aged 93)

journalist linguist writer translator poet

Leda Mileva was a Bulgarian writer, translator and diplomat. She was the daughter of Bulgarian poet Geo Milev.

36. Mara Buneva

1902-1928 (aged 26)

revolutionary

Mara Buneva was a Macedonian Bulgarian revolutionary, a member of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization, who assassinated Velimir Prelić, a former Serbian Chetnik commander and Yugoslav legal official of the Skopje Oblast. She shot herself in the chest, and subsequently died in a hospital a few hours after the attack, while Prelić died a few days later.

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37. Anton Donchev

1930-2022 (aged 92)

screenwriter writer politician

Anton Nikolov Donchev was a Bulgarian writer of historical novels and screenwriter of Bulgarian historical drama films. In 2003 he was elected an academic at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. He is well known in the country and abroad with his novel Time of Parting.

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38. Yana Yazova

1912-1974 (aged 62)

poet writer

Liouba Todorova Gancheva, better known by her pen name Yana Yazova, was a Bulgarian writer and intellectual born in 1912 who died in 1974.

39. Sotir Tsatsarov

1966-. (aged 60)

prosecutor

Sotir Stefanov Tsatsarov is a Bulgarian jurist who served as the chief prosecutor of Bulgaria from December 2012 until December 2019. Tsatsarov allegedly owes his appointment to Delyan Peevski, a media mogul and member of Bulgaria's Parliament, and Prime Minister Boyko Borisov. His time in office has been overshadowed by controversial investigations of political opposition leaders, famous businessmen, and independent...

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40. Daniel of Bulgaria

1972-. (aged 54)

Eastern Orthodox bishop

Patriarch Daniil is a prelate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, currently serving as Patriarch of All Bulgaria since June 2024. Prior to his election, he was the Metropolitan Bishop of Vidin (2018–2024) and bishop of Dragovitia (2008–2018).

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41. Zvezdelina Stankova

1969-. (aged 57)

mathematician

Zvezdelina Entcheva Stankova is a Bulgarian and American mathematician who is a professor of mathematics at Mills College and a teaching professor at the University of California, Berkeley, the founder of the Berkeley Math Circle, and an expert in the combinatorial enumeration of permutations with forbidden patterns.

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42. Gergana

1984-. (aged 42)

singer

Gergana Georgieva Katsarska is a Bulgarian pop-folk singer, often referred to as "the Barbie doll of pop-folk". Her early career (2003–2004) was marked by the runaway success of her debut single "Губя те бавно" followed by a best-selling debut album.

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43. Meglena Kuneva

1957-. (aged 69)

jurist politician journalist

Meglena Shtilianova Kuneva is a Bulgarian and EU politician.

44. Angel Dzhambazki

1979-. (aged 47)

politician

Angel Chavdarov Dzhambazki is a Bulgarian politician who served as Member of the European Parliament from 2014 to 2024. He is also a member of the far-right party VMRO-BND and served as its co-chairman, having joined the nationalist party's youth organization in 1997 and gradually progressed through its ranks.

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45. Tatyana Doncheva

1960-. (aged 66)

lawyer politician

Tatyana Doncheva Toteva is a Bulgarian politician from the Movement 21 political party, of which she is the chairperson. She has been a member of four National Assemblies. - the 38th, 39th, 40th and 45th.

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46. Nadezhda Neynski

1962-. (aged 64)

politician

Nadezhda Nikolova Neynsky is a Bulgarian politician and diplomat serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs, a position she previously held from 1997 to 2001. Neynsky was also a Member of the European Parliament from 2009 to 2014 and led the SDS party from 2002 to 2005.

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47. Maxim of Bulgaria

1914-2012 (aged 98)

Eastern Orthodox priest

Patriarch Maxim was the head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church from 1971 until his death.

48. Bozhidar Dimitrov

1945-2018 (aged 73)

historian politician

Bozhidar Dimitrov Stoyanov was a Bulgarian nationalist historian and politician, in the sphere of Medieval Bulgarian history, the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria and the Macedonian Question. He was the director of the National Historical Museum. Formerly a Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) member, he later became affiliated with the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) political party.

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49. Solomon Passy

1956-. (aged 70)

computer scientist mathematician politician

Solomon Isaac Passy is a Bulgarian scientist and public figure. According to Alpha Research, he is the most recognized Bulgarian of Jewish descent.

50. Ran Bosilek

1886-1958 (aged 72)

jurist poet writer translator children's writer

Ran Bosilek, born Gencho Stanchev Negentsov (Bulgarian: Генчо Станчев Негенцов), was a Bulgarian author of children's books. Three years before his death, in 1955, he translated Astrid Lindgren's children's book "Karlsson-on-the-Roof" into Bulgarian.

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51. Traycho Kostov

1897-1949 (aged 52)

stenographer military officer politician

Traycho Kostov Dzhunev was a Bulgarian politician. He was a leading figure of the Bulgarian Communist Party.

52. Georgi Lozanov

1926-2012 (aged 86)

pedagogue psychiatrist psychologist

Georgi Lozanov, known as 'the father of accelerated learning', was a Bulgarian scientist, neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist and educator, creator of suggestology, suggestopedia (or 'suggestopaedia', an experimental branch of suggestology for use in pedagogy), and integrated psychotherapy.

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53. Dora Gabe

1885-1983 (aged 98)

teacher theatrologist poet essayist translator

Dora Petrova Gabe was а Bulgarian Jewish poet, writer and translator. She published poetry for adults and children as well as travel books, short stories and essays. In her later years, she also did extensive work in translation.

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54. Alan Woods

1944-. (aged 82)

journalist writer

Alan Woods is a British Trotskyist political theorist and author. He is one of the leading members of the Revolutionary Communist International (RCI) and was a founder of Socialist Appeal (now the Revolutionary Communist Party). He is political editor of the RCI's In Defence of Marxism website. Woods was a leading supporter within the Militant tendency within the Labour Party...

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55. Ognyan Gerdzhikov

1946-. (aged 80)

jurist lawyer university teacher politician

Ognyan Stefanov Gerdzhikov is a Bulgarian politician and jurist who served as the interim prime minister from 27 January 2017 to 4 May 2017, following the resignation of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and the failure of Bulgarian parties to form a government.

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56. Lena Borislavova

1989-. (aged 37)

lawyer politician

Lena Zdravkova Borislavova is a Bulgarian politician who is a current Member of the National Assembly. A member of the PP party, she previously served as Head of the political cabinet in the Petkov Government, an equivalent position to the chief of staff in other countries.

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57. Valeri Petrov

1920-2014 (aged 94)

physician writer journalist diplomat playwright editing staff

Valeri Petrov, was a popular Bulgarian poet, screenplay writer, playwright and translator of paternal Jewish origin.

58. Boyko Rashkov

1954-. (aged 72)

university teacher civil servant lawyer jurist politician

Boyko Iliev Rashkov is a Bulgarian lawyer, state official and politician, deputy to the National Assembly in 2021, Deputy Prime Minister for Public Order and Security. He was Minister of the Interior in the first and second Stefan Yanev government and in the Kiril Petkov government.

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59. Daniel Mitov

1977-. (aged 49)

politician

Daniel Pavlov Mitov is a Bulgarian politician. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria from 2014 to 2017.

60. Nikolaos Tsitiridis

1994-. (aged 32)

comedian television presenter

Nikolaos Tsitiridis is a Greek-born Bulgarian comedian, writer, screenwriter and television presenter.

61. Stefan Tsanev

1936-. (aged 90)

playwright poet writer translator essayist

Stefan Nedelchev Tsanev is a contemporary Bulgarian writer, known for his essays, plays, poems, and historical novels.

62. Boris Christoff

1914-1993 (aged 79)

opera singer actor singer musician

Boris Christoff was a Bulgarian opera singer, widely considered one of the greatest basses of the 20th century.

63. Atanas Dalchev

1904-1978 (aged 74)

linguist poet translator

Atanas Hristov Dalchev was a Bulgarian poet, critic and translator. He was among the leading Bulgarian poets of the 1920s and 1930s. Dalchev was also a prominent translator of poetry and fiction from French, Spanish, English, German and Russian authors. He was a recipient of the Herder Prize in 1972 (for his overall literary work) and the Znak Pocheta Order...

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64. Yordanka Fandakova

1962-. (aged 64)

school teacher politician

Yordanka Asenova Fandakova is a Bulgarian politician and former Mayor of Sofia. She was the first woman to hold this position. She was elected on 15 November 2009, after defeating the Bulgarian Socialist Party contender Georgi Kadiev. Fandakova is a member of the conservative GERB party.

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65. Elisaveta Bagryana

1893-1991 (aged 98)

translator literary editor poet writer

Elisaveta Bagryana, born Elisaveta Lyubomirova Belcheva (Bulgarian: Елисавета Любомирова Белчева), was a Bulgarian poet who wrote her first verses while living with her family in Veliko Tarnovo in 1907–08. She, along with Dora Gabe (1886–1983), is considered one of the "first ladies of Bulgarian women's literature". She was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature three times.

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66. Petar Stoyanov

1952-. (aged 74)

jurist lawyer politician

Petar Stefanov Stoyanov is a Bulgarian statesman and politician who served as the president of Bulgaria from 1997 to 2002. A member of the Union of Democratic Forces, he won the second democratic election in modern Bulgarian history. Throughout Stoyanov’s presidency, Bulgaria made substantial progress in its efforts of joining NATO and the European Union.

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67. Dame Gruev

1871-1906 (aged 35)

teacher

Damyan Yovanov Gruev was а Macedonian Bulgarian teacher, revolutionary and leader of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO) in the Ottoman regions of Macedonia and Thrace. He was one of the six founders of IMRO. Gruev is seen as a national hero in Bulgaria and North Macedonia but his ethnicity is disputed between both countries.

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68. Blaže Koneski

1921-1993 (aged 72)

university teacher writer linguist translator poet

Blaže Koneski was a Macedonian poet, writer, literary translator, and linguistic scholar, who had a major contribution to the codification of the standard Macedonian language, for which he earned the reputation of father of the Macedonian literary language. He is the key figure who shaped Macedonian literature and intellectual life in the country. During his life and after his death,...

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69. Rosen Zhelyazkov

1968-. (aged 58)

politician

Rosen Dimitrov Zhelyazkov is a Bulgarian politician who has served as Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 2025 to 2026. He resigned on 11 December 2025 following mass protests and is currently serving in caretaker capacity. He previously served as Minister of Transport from 2018 to 2021, Member of the National Assembly from 2021 to 2025, and Speaker of the National...

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70. Hristo Ivanov

1974-. (aged 52)

jurist politician

Hristo Lyubomirov Ivanov is a Bulgarian politician who served as Member of the National Assembly from 2021 to 2024. A member of the Yes, Bulgaria! party, which he founded and led from 2017 to 2024, he previously served as Minister of Justice from 2014 to 2015 and briefly as Deputy Prime Minister in 2014.

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71. Tsetska Tsacheva

1958-. (aged 68)

politician legal counselor

Tsetska Tsacheva Dangovska is a Bulgarian politician and jurist. A member of centre-right conservative GERB political party, Dangovska has served as the Minister of Justice from 4 May 2017 to 5 April 2019. She had previously held the position of Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Bulgaria on two occasions. She was the first woman to ever chair the National...

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72. Geo Milev

1895-1925 (aged 30)

painter poet writer translator journalist

Geo Milev was a Bulgarian poet, translator, and journalist. He is perhaps best known for his epic poem Septemvri, written during the Bulgarian September Uprising.

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73. Ivan Mihailov

1896-1990 (aged 94)

writer politician

Ivan Mihaylov Gavrilov, also known as Vancho Mihaylov (Bulgarian: Ванчо Михайлов; Macedonian: Ванчо Михајлов), was a Macedonian Bulgarian revolutionary in interwar Macedonia and the last leader of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO).

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74. Georgi Parvanov

1957-. (aged 69)

historian politician

Georgi Sedefchov Parvanov is a Bulgarian historian and politician who was the president of Bulgaria from 2002 to 2012. He was elected after defeating incumbent Petar Stoyanov in the second round of the November 2001 presidential election. He took office on 22 January 2002. He was reelected in a landslide victory in 2006, becoming the first Bulgarian president to serve...

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75. Petar Mladenov

1936-2000 (aged 64)

diplomat politician

Petar Toshev Mladenov was a Bulgarian communist diplomat and politician. He was the last leader of the Bulgarian People's Republic from 1989 to 1990, and briefly the first President of the Bulgarian Republic in 1990.

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76. Neophyte of Bulgaria

1945-2024 (aged 79)

bishop Eastern Orthodox priest university teacher

Patriarch Neophyte was the Patriarch of All Bulgaria, head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church from 24 February 2013 until his death on 13 March 2024. Prior to his election, he was the Metropolitan Bishop of Ruse (2001–2013) and Bishop of Dorostol and Cherven (1994–2001).

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77. Dimitar Talev

1898-1966 (aged 68)

writer children's writer journalist politician

Dimitar Talev was a Bulgarian writer, journalist, political prisoner, and member of the Bulgarian National Assembly.

78. Bogdan Filov

1883-1945 (aged 62)

anthropologist art historian university teacher politician historian

Bogdan Dimitrov Filov was a Bulgarian archaeologist, art historian and politician. He was prime minister of Bulgaria during World War II. During his tenure, Bulgaria became the seventh nation to join the Axis powers.

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79. Ivan Krastev

1965-. (aged 61)

university teacher political scientist writer

Ivan Krastev, is a political scientist, the chairman of the Centre for Liberal Strategies in Sofia, permanent fellow at the IWM (Institute of Human Sciences) in Vienna, and 2013-4-17 Richard von Weizsäcker fellow at the Robert Bosch Stiftung in Berlin.

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80. Aleksandar Tsankov

1879-1959 (aged 80)

university teacher economist politician

Aleksandar Tsolov Tsankov was a leading Bulgarian politician during the period between the two World Wars.

81. Iván Cepeda Castro

1962-. (aged 64)

human rights defender writer politician

Iván Cepeda Castro is a Colombian socialist politician, philosopher, and human rights activist who has served as a Senator since 2014. A member of the Historic Pact party, he served as a member of the Chamber of Representatives from 2010 to 2014.

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82. Lyudmila Zhivkova

1942-1981 (aged 39)

historian politician

Lyudmila Todorova Zhivkova was a senior Bulgarian Communist Party functionary and Politburo member. She was the daughter of Bulgarian Communist leader Todor Zhivkov, and primarily known for her interest in preserving and promoting Bulgarian arts and culture on the international stage. Zhivkova was also a controversial figure within the former Soviet Bloc because of her interests in esoteric Eastern religion...

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83. Yordan Yovkov

1880-1937 (aged 57)

playwright poet writer editing staff prose writer

Yordan Stefanov Yovkov, Aka Jordan Jovkov or Iordan Iovkov (November 9, 1880 – October 15, 1937) was a prominent Bulgarian writer from the interwar period.

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84. Korneliya Ninova

1969-. (aged 57)

jurist politician

Korneliya Petrova Ninova is a Bulgarian politician, a former leader and MP of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). She was chairwoman of BSP from 2016 to 2024. She currently leads Nepokorna Bulgaria, a centre-left political movement.

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85. Boyan Petrov

1973-2018 (aged 45)

mountaineer speleologist zoologist

Boyan Petrov was a Bulgarian zoologist and mountaineer, who worked at the National Museum of Natural History in Sofia.

86. Iliana Yotova

1964-. (aged 62)

journalist politician

Iliana Malinova Iotova is a Bulgarian politician and journalist who has served as the president of Bulgaria since 23 January 2026. She is the first woman to hold the position. A member of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), Iotova previously served as the vice president under Rumen Radev from 2017 to 2026.

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87. Georgi Gospodinov

1968-. (aged 58)

writer playwright poet screenwriter

Georgi Gospodinov Georgiev is a Bulgarian writer, poet and playwright. His novel Time Shelter received the 2023 International Booker Prize, shared with translator Angela Rodel, as well as the Strega European Prize. His novel The Physics of Sorrow received the Jan Michalski Prize and the Angelus Award. His works have been translated into 25 languages.

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88. Zhelyu Zhelev

1935-2015 (aged 80)

philosopher politician non-fiction writer

Zhelyu Mitev Zhelev was a Bulgarian politician and former dissident who served as the first democratically elected and non-Communist president of Bulgaria, from 1990 to 1997. Zhelev was one of the most prominent figures of the 1989 Bulgarian Revolution, which ended the 35 year rule of President Todor Zhivkov. A member of the Union of Democratic Forces, he was elected...

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89. Stoyanka Mutafova

1922-2019 (aged 97)

actor

Stoyanka Mutafova was a Bulgarian actress. During her career, she starred in over 53 theatrical plays and 25 films

90. Dimcho Debelyanov

1887-1916 (aged 29)

translator poet military officer writer

Dimcho Debelyanov was a Bulgarian poet and author.

91. Julia Kristeva

1941-. (aged 85)

novelist linguist university teacher sociologist literary critic

Julia Kristeva is a Bulgarian-French philosopher, literary critic, semiotician, psychoanalyst, feminist, and novelist who has lived in France since the mid-1960s. She has taught at Columbia University, and is now a professor emerita at Université Paris Cité. The author of more than 30 books, including Powers of Horror, Tales of Love, Black Sun: Depression and Melancholia, Proust and the Sense...

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92. Tzvetan Todorov

1939-2017 (aged 78)

philosopher literary critic semiologist literary theorist geologist

Tzvetan Todorov was a Bulgarian-French historian, philosopher, structuralist literary critic, sociologist and essayist. He was the author of many books and essays, which have had a significant influence in anthropology, sociology, semiotics, literary theory, intellectual history and culture theory.

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93. Ahmed Doğan

1954-. (aged 72)

politician

Ahmed Demir Dogan is a Turkish Bulgarian oligarch and politician who founded the DPS party in 1990 and remained its leader until he stepped down in 2013, from which point he continued to be its honorary chairman until 2025.

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94. Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov

1900-1986 (aged 86)

teacher philosopher writer

Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov was a Bulgarian philosopher, pedagogue, mystic, and esotericist. A leading 20th-century teacher of Western Esotericism in Europe, he was a disciple of Peter Deunov (Beinsa Douno), the founder of the Universal White Brotherhood.

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95. Elena Poptodorova

1951-. (aged 75)

diplomat politician

Elena Poptodorova is a Bulgarian diplomat who served as Bulgarian Ambassador to the United States from 2002 to 2008 and from 2010 to 2016. A former politician, she previously served as Member of the National Assembly from 1991 to 2001.

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96. Ivan Kostov

1949-. (aged 77)

politician economist

Ivan Yordanov Kostov is a Bulgarian politician who served as Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 1997 to 2001. A member of the SDS party, which he led from 1994 to 2001, he was previously Minister of Finance from 1990 to 1992. Following his premiership, Kostov founded a new political party, the DSB, and served as Member of the National Assembly...

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97. Krasimir Karakachanov

1965-. (aged 61)

historian jurist politician

Krasimir Donchev Karakachanov is a Bulgarian politician. He was the leader of VMRO from 1991 until 2022.

98. Damyan Velchev

1883-1954 (aged 71)

military personnel politician diplomat military officer minister

Damyan Velchev or Velcev was a Bulgarian politician and general.

99. Ivan Bagryanov

1891-1945 (aged 54)

diplomat military officer politician

Ivan Ivanov Bagryanov was a leading Bulgarian politician who briefly served as Prime Minister during the Second World War.

100. Rayko Aleksiev

1893-1944 (aged 51)

painter caricaturist journalist

Rayko Nikolov Aleksiev was a Bulgarian painter, caricaturist, and writer of feuilletons. He established Shturets, a hugely successful satirical newspaper, in 1932.

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