List of personalities of the city of Sofia
The following list contains the personalities born in Sofia and temporarily living there as well as the honorary citizens of the city, each listed chronologically according to the year of birth. The list does not claim to be complete.
Personalities born in Sofia
To 1900
- Manoliki Taschew (1835–1878), businessman, politician and, in 1878, first mayor of Sofia
- Ferdinand Bruckner (1891–1958), actually Theodor Tagger, writer and theater director
- Petko Petkow (1891-1924), politician
- Vladimir Stoychev (1892–1990), major general, diplomat and member of the International Olympic Committee
- Elisaweta Bagrjana (1893–1991), poet
- Nikola Petkow (1893–1947), politician
- Boris III (1894-1943), Tsar
- Cyril of Bulgaria (1895–1945), Prince Regent
- Trajtscho Kostow (1897–1949), politician
- Iwan Stranski (1897–1979), physical chemist
- Veselin Beševliev (1900–1992), philologist
1901-1920
- Jacques Natan (1902–1974), economist and economic historian
- Mary Meerson (1902–1993), ballet dancer, model and archivist at the Cinémathèque française
- Lubo D'Orio (1904–1983), musician and orchestra leader
- Dimitar Fingow (1906–1983), Bulgarian-German architect
- Vladimir Avramow (1909–2007), violinist and music teacher
- Parashkew Chadschiev (1912–1992), composer
- Ljubomir Romansky (1912–1989), conductor
- Stojko Stojkow (1912-1969), linguist
- Susanne Miller (1915–2008), German historian
- Ivan Baschew (1916–1971), politician
- Ivan Wenedikow (1916–1997), archaeologist, historian and thraccologist
- Eugen Philippow (1917–1991), engineer and university professor
- Petar Christoskow (1917–2006), composer, violinist and music teacher
- Maria Corelli (1920–2007), opera singer (soprano, chamber singer of the Berlin State Opera)
- Leda Mileva (1920–2013), writer and diplomat
- Valery Petrov (1920–2014), writer and translator
1921-1930
- Stojanka Mutafowa (1922–2019), theater and film actress
- Peter Zazoff (1922–2011), German classical archaeologist of Bulgarian origin
- Juri Bukow (1923-2006), pianist
- Peter Stupel (1923–1997), composer
- Boris Karlow (1924–1964), accordion player
- Lyuben Berow (1925–2006), economist, politician and Prime Minister
- André Boucourechliev (1925–1997), composer and music writer
- Atanas Nakowski (1925-2014), writer
- Aleksandar Stalijski (1925-2004), politician
- Georgi Losanow (1926–2012), educator and psychologist
- Kiril Cibulka (1927–1997), composer
- Radka Donnell (1928–2013), poet
- Shlomo Kalo (1928-2014), Israeli writer
- Welisar Welkow (1928–1993), archaeologist and historian
- Bogdan Denitch (1929-2016), American sociologist
- Georgi Markow (1929–1978), writer
- Alphonse Max (* 1929), writer
- Wera Mutaftschiewa (1929–2009), writer and historian
- Alexis Weissenberg (1929–2012), pianist
- Lyubomir Dimitrov (1930-2001), actor
- Raphael Mechoulam (* 1930), Israeli university professor
- Ivan Tatarchev (1930–2008), lawyer
1931-1940
- Elka Bakalowa (* 1931), art historian
- Stefan Marinow (1931–1997), physicist
- Dimitar Owtscharow (1931–2013), medieval archaeologist
- Valentin Argirov (* 1932), German doctor and novelist of Bulgarian origin
- Kristina Böttrich-Merdjanowa (1933–2012), German-Bulgarian graphic designer, graphic designer and author
- Alexandar Fol (1933–2006), historian and thracologist
- Marran Gosov (* 1933), filmmaker and writer
- Stefan Abadschiew (* 1934), football player and coach
- Emilia N. Bayer (* 1934), German sculptor
- Anton Diakov (1934–2016), Bulgarian-Swiss opera and concert singer
- Yizhak Sadai (1935–2019), Israeli composer and music teacher
- Georgi Danailow (1936–2017), writer and screenwriter
- Simeon Sakskoburggotski (* 1937), Tsar and Prime Minister
- Michael Bar-Zohar (* 1938), Israeli historian, politician and writer of Bulgarian origin
- Tania Velmans (* 1938), French art historian and Byzantinist of Bulgarian origin
- Maria Dundakova (* 1939), Swiss artist working on multimedia
- Mile Markowski (1939-1975), writer
- Ljuben Stoew (1939–2016), painter and graphic artist
- Tsvetan Todorow (1939-2017), sociologist
- Aleksandar Jossifow (1940–2016), composer of classical music
- Alexander Klee (* 1940), painter, graphic artist and art collector
- Wenzeslaw Konstantinow (1940–2019), writer and translator
- Ivan Slawkow (1940–2011), sports official and chairman of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee and the Bulgarian Football Association
1941-1950
- Petar Krumow (* 1941), wrestler
- Stanislaw Stratiew (1941–2000), writer and playwright
- Lyudmila Zhivkova (1942–1981), politician
- Ivan Shekov (* 1942), composer
- Georgi Asparukhov (1943–1971), football player
- Otto von Helversen (1943–2009), German biologist
- Nora Nova (* 1943), pop singer
- Simeon Schterew (1943-2020), flautist
- Lyuben Spassow (* 1943), chess player
- Neofit (* 1945), Orthodox theologian, bishop and since 2013 patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church
- Valentin Aleksandrov (1946–2008), politician
- Pascha Christowa (1946–1971), pop and chanson singer
- Christo Projkow (* 1946), bishop
- Wladimir Damgow (1947-2006), physicist, mathematician, union leader and parliamentarian
- Bisser Schinew (1947–2009), theater director
- Angel Angelow (born 1948), boxer
- Mario Stantchev (* 1948), jazz musician
- Andrey Todorov (1948–2012), mathematician
- Julia Tsenova (1948–2010), composer, pianist and music teacher
- Ivan Kostov (* 1949), politician
- Viktor Paskow (1949–2009), writer and musician
- Boschidar Spassow (* 1949), composer and violinist
- Tania Botewa-Malo (* 1950), writer
1951-1960
- Aleksandar Boschkow (1951–2009), politician
- Magarditsch A. Hatschikjan (* 1951), German historian of Armenian origin
- Stefan Sofijanski (* 1951), politician
- Ljubomir Widenow (* 1951), baritone
- Irina Bokowa (* 1952), politician
- Vera Ilieva (1952-2018), mezzo-soprano
- Stojan Stalew (* 1952), lawyer and diplomat
- Kristalina Georgiewa (* 1953), politician
- Georgi Rajkow (1953-2006), wrestler
- Edwin Sugarew (* 1953), writer, literary critic and politician
- Ekaterina Trendafilowa (* 1953), legal scholar
- Alexandar Tomow (* 1954), politician
- Filip Dimitrov (* 1955), writer, diplomat, politician and former prime minister
- Irena Krastewa (* 1955), media entrepreneur
- Nikolina Schterewa (* 1955), middle-distance runner
- Boiko Zwetanow (* 1955), opera singer
- Latschesar Pravtschew (* 1956), opera singer
- Konstantin Dimitrov (* 1957), politician
- Meglena Kunewa (* 1957), politician
- Iskra Michailowa (* 1957), politician
- Ivan Tanew (* 1957), hammer thrower
- Tomislav Nedelkovic Baynov (* 1958), pianist, composer and university professor
- Valentin Rajtschew (* 1958), wrestler
- Mara Mattuschka (* 1959), Austrian film director and performance artist
- Emil Tschuprenski (* 1960), boxer
- Dejan Enew (* 1960), writer
- Anna-Maria Ravnopolska-Dean (* 1960), harpist, composer and musicologist
- Ophelia Vilarova (* 1960), dancer and choreographer
1961-1970
- Silvio Danailow (* 1961), chess player
- Krassimir Gergow (* 1961), entrepreneur
- Emil Ivanov (* 1962), wrestler
- Romelia Lichtenstein (* 1962), German opera, operetta, oratorio, lied and concert singer (soprano)
- Nadeschda Michajlowa (* 1962), politician
- Nikola Parov (* 1962), folk and world musician
- Borislaw Michajlow (* 1963), soccer goalkeeper
- Tzveta Sofronieva (* 1963), poet, essayist and prose author
- Nikolaj Iliew (* 1964), football player
- Ilijana Jotowa (* 1964), politician
- Plamen Jurukow (* 1964), politician
- Iwajlo Kalfin (* 1964), politician
- Christo Schopow (* 1964), film actor
- Ray van Zeschau (* 1964), musician and filmmaker
- Antonio Ananiew (born 1965), football player
- Slavcho Binew (* 1965), politician
- Pavel Dotschew (* 1965), football player
- Kiril Pawlikianow (* 1965), Byzantinist
- Ilija Trojanow (* 1965), German writer
- Tsvetan Tsvetanov (* 1965), politician
- Louis C. Oberlander (* 1966), composer
- Lyuboslaw Penew (* 1966), football player and coach
- Alek Popow (* 1966), writer
- Swilen Stefanow (* 1966), art historian, artist and curator
- Milen Weltschew (* 1966), finance expert, politician and former finance minister
- Emil Kostadinow (* 1967), football player
- Andrei Kovachev (* 1967), politician
- Manuela Maleewa (* 1967), tennis player
- Lyubomir Geraskow (* 1968), Turner
- Ruscha Lasarowa (* 1968), writer
- Emil Milew (* 1968), marksman
- Dennis Satin (* 1968), German film director and screenwriter
- Anton Welkow (* 1968), football player
- Daniela Georgiewa (* 1969), sprinter
- Ilija Gruew (* 1969), soccer player
- Katerina Maleewa (* 1969), tennis player
- Georgi Donkow (* 1970), football player
- Kalin Terziyski (* 1970), writer
- Trajtscho Trajkow (* 1970), economist, politician and Minister for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism
1971-1980
- Katrin Aladjova-Kusznirczuk (* 1971), chess player and official
- Alexandar Deltschew (* 1971), chess grandmaster and trainer
- Dessislawa Dimitrova (* 1972), sprinter
- Klára Dobrev (* 1972), Hungarian economist and politician
- Nina C. Gabriel (* 1972), Bulgarian-Austrian theater actress, director, author and theater manager
- Marija Grosdewa (* 1972), marksman
- Korman Izmailov (* 1972), politician
- Daisy Lang (* 1972), boxer and martial artist
- Nikolaj Mladenow (* 1972), politician
- Vera Nemirova (* 1972), Bulgarian-German opera director
- Elena Pampoulova (* 1972), tennis player
- Kapka Kassabova (* 1973), writer, poet and travel journalist
- Plamen Konstantinow (* 1973), volleyball player
- Plamen Kralew (* 1973), racing car driver and businessman
- Rumjana Nejkowa (* 1973), rower
- Ivajlo Petrov (* 1973), football player
- Jana Torneva (* 1973), German dancer and choreographer
- Marin Balabanow (* 1974), draftsman
- Albena Denkowa (* 1974), figure skater
- Fani Kolarova (born 1974), actress
- Preslav Mantchev (* 1974), ballet dancer and choreographer
- Boriana Pertchinska (* 1974), artist
- Vladimir Sarev (* 1974), writer
- Dimitar Ivankow (* 1975), soccer goalkeeper
- Zwetelina Jantschulowa (* 1975), beach volleyball player
- Diana Kowatschewa (* 1975), lawyer, politician and Minister of Justice
- Magdalena Maleewa (* 1975), tennis player
- Sofi Marinowa (* 1975), popfolk singer with Roma roots
- Alexander Raytchev (* 1975), pianist and composer
- Christo Zhivkov (* 1975), actor
- Kristian Wigenin (* 1975), politician
- Borislaw Georgiev (* 1976), football player
- Svetoslav Stoyanov (* 1976), badminton player
- DJ Balthazar (* 1977), DJ
- Preslav Borissow (* 1977), politician
- Martin Dimitrov (* 1977), politician
- Vassil Evtimov (born 1977), basketball player
- Stefan Georgiew (* 1977), ski racer
- Kamen Petkow (* 1977), politician
- Evgenia Radanova (* 1977), short tracker and cyclist
- Toma Waszarow (* 1977), film editor and film director
- Stanislaw Angelow (* 1978), football player
- Iwan Dinew (* 1978), figure skater
- Iwajlo Gabrowski (* 1978), racing cyclist
- Petya Jantschulowa (* 1978), beach volleyball player
- Angela Litschev (* 1978), poet
- Mariana Popowa (* 1978), singer
- Angel Dschambaski (* 1979), politician
- Oda Jaune (* 1979), painter
- Adrian Pavlov (* 1979), composer, conductor and pianist
- Georgi Peew (* 1979), football player
- Antoaneta Stefanowa (* 1979), chess grandmaster, former women's world champion
- Marina Georgieva-Nikolova (* 1980), short tracker
- Deljan Peewski (* 1980), lawyer, entrepreneur, media mogul and politician
1981-1990
- Blagoj Georgiev (born 1981), football player
- Nikolaj Nikolow (* 1981), football player
- Kubrat Pulew (born 1981), boxer
- Boris Georgiev (* 1982), amateur boxer
- Aleksandar Mladenow (* 1982), football player
- Borijana Slatarewa (* 1982), ski racer
- Ilian Evtimov (born 1983), basketball player
- Monika Panayotova (* 1983), politician
- Terwel Pulew (born 1983), boxer
- Dimitar Rangelow (* 1983), football player
- Dimitar Kinow Stoyanov (born 1983), politician
- Michail Wenkow (* 1983), football player
- Tschawdar Jankow (* 1984), football player
- Iwet Lalowa (* 1984), athlete
- Zhivko Milanov (* 1984), football player
- Tervel Dlagnev (* 1985), American wrestler
- Stanislaw Janewski (* 1985), actor
- Georgi Mirtschew (* 1985), natural track tobogganist
- Alice Panikian (* 1985), Canadian model of Bulgarian-Armenian origin
- Slatomir Sdrawkow (* 1985), natural toboggan runner
- Tschawdar Arsow (* 1986), natural track tobogganist
- Martin Bogdanow (* 1986), biathlete
- Marija Kirkowa (* 1986), ski racer
- Elisabet Paissiewa (* 1986), rhythmic gymnast
- Ewa Paunowa (* 1986), politician
- Georgi Boschilow (* 1987), football player
- Galabin Bozew (* 1987), natural toboggan runner
- Poli Genova (* 1987), singer, presenter and actress
- Dimitar Kutrowski (* 1987), tennis player
- Boschidar Mitrew (* 1987), soccer goalkeeper
- Ivelin Popov (* 1987), football player
- Alek Sandar (* 1987), Bulgarian-German music producer, songwriter and musician
- Aleksandra Schekowa (* 1987), snowboarder
- Linda Setschiri (* 1987), badminton player
- Stojan Stankow (* 1987), natural toboggan runner
- Orlin Starokin (born 1987), football player
- Iwa Widenowa-Kuljašević (* 1987), chess player
- Latschesar Baltanow (* 1988), football player
- Wenzislaw Christow (* 1988), football player
- Inna Eftimowa (* 1988), athlete
- Viktor Genew (* 1988), football player
- Silwija Georgiewa (* 1988), biathlete
- Nikolaj Michajlow (* 1988), football player
- Petar Sawow (* 1988), natural toboggan runner
- Kiril Vasharov (1988–2009), ice hockey goalkeeper
- Pavel Vidanov (* 1988), football player
- Mikhail Aleksandrov (* 1989), football player
- Nina Dobrev (* 1989), actress and model
- Lubov Gazov (* 1989), Austrian sports aerobics
- Ivan Karadschow (* 1989), football player
- Sesil Karatancheva (* 1989), tennis player
- Wasko Mladenow (* 1989), tennis player
- Aleksandar Kirov (* 1990), football player
- Aleksandar Lasow (* 1990), tennis player
- Martin Toschew (* 1990), football player
From 1991
- Nik Daschew (* 1991), football player
- Isabella Schinikowa (* 1991), tennis player
- Antoni Stoitschkow (* 1991), natural track tobogganist
- Wasil Schandarow (* 1991), tennis player
- Stefan Rajkow (* 1992), natural track tobogganist
- Radoslaw Schandarow (* 1996), tennis player
- Adrian Andreew (* 2001), tennis player
Year of birth unknown
- Anton Bakarski , cameraman
People who worked on site
- Konstantin Jireček (1854–1918), Czech politician, diplomat, historian, Slavist, founder of Bohemian Balkanology and Byzantine Studies
Honorary citizen
- Benita Ferrero-Waldner (2007), EU Commissioner, for her commitment to the Bulgarian nurses convicted in Libya
See also
Web links
Commons : People of Sofia - collection of pictures, videos and audio files