1. Elisaveta Bagriana (1893)

Bulgarian Poet

Poet and pioneer of Bulgarian women's literature who was nominated for a Nobel Prize. Her best-known poems include "The Well," "The Eternal," and "The Elements."

2. Nina Dobrev (1989)

Bulgarian-canadian Actress And M

Became known to television audiences for her Teen Choice Award-winning role as Elena Gilbert/Katherine Pierce on The Vampire Diaries. Her film credits include The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Roommate.

3. Stoyanka Mutafova (1922)

Actress

Actress who appeared in almost 20 films over the course of her career. She also co-founded the Aleko Konstantinov Satiric Theatre.

4. Orlin Pavlov (1979)

Pop Singer

First known as the lead singer of the band Kaffe, which competed in the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest. He would later launch a solo career and make reality appearances in...

5. Alexis Weissenberg (1929)

Bulgarian Musician

Pianist, recording artist, and music educator who did a film recording of Stravinsky's Three Movements from Petrushka.

6. Vasko Vassilev (1970)

Bulgarian Vioninist

Bulgarian violinist who has taught at prestigious schools like the Trinity College of Music in London and has served as the conductor at the Royal Albert Hall. In 2011, he...

7. Tzvetan Todorov (1939)

Bulgarian Philosopher

A philosopher known for his contributions to literary, cultural, and thought history, including his definition of the Fantastic.

8. Georgi Minchev (1939)

Composer

Music production editor for Bulgarian National Radio. He was one of the most decorated composers from Bulgaria. He wrote a stage ballet in the 1990s based on "Fahrenheit 451" by...

9. Kiril Marichkov (1944)

Bulgarian Musician

Multi-instrumentalist who founded Radio Gong and has performed with many different rock bands, including Shturtzite.

10. Poli Genova (1987)

Bulgarian Singer

Two-time Eurovision Song Contest representative of Bulgaria who finished in fourth place in her 2016 attempt to win the title with her song "If Love Was a Crime." She released...

11. Albena Bakratcheva (1961)

Bulgarain Americanist

Philosopher best known for her work on the theory of American Transcendentalism.

12. Lazar Angelov (1984)

Bodybuilder

Bodybuilder and personal trainer who began competing in 2006, never taking home less than bronze in competition. He earned his personal training certificate from the National Sports Academy.

13. Elena Boeva (1985)

American Model And Actor

Bulgarian model and actress who went to India to participate in the dance reality show Nach Baliye 5 on the Star Plus network.

14. Alexandra Fol (1981)

Bulgarian Composer

Bulgarian-Canadian composer who arranged more than 40 works that were performed by a variety of orchestras, including the Sofia Philharmonic.

15. Stanislav Ianevski (1985)

Bulgarian Actor

Actor best known for his portrayal of Viktor Krum in the 2005 film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In 2011, he played Bernhardt in Resistance. 

16. Alice Panikian (1985)

Canadian Model

After winning the 2006 Miss Universe Canada beauty pageant, she advanced to the top ten in the 2006 Miss Universe pageant.

17. Mihaela Marinova (1998)

Pop Singer

Bulgarian singer who shot to stardom after finishing third on the third season of the Bulgarian edition of The X Factor. Her debut single, "Stapka Napred," became a hit in...

18. KrisKo (1988)

DJ

Award-winning Bulgarian rapper and producer known for the songs "You Cannot Stop Me" and "Do You Know Who I Saw." He is also co-owner of the label Adamant Records.

19. Zlatina Jekova (1992)

Instagram Star

Fashion and travel blogger who has worked with more than 150 brands including Mac, Havaianas and Hard Rock Cafe. She has also accrued more than 800,000 followers on Instagram.

20. Kubrat Pulev (1981)

Bulgarian Boxer

Official contender for the world boxing title against Wladimir Klitschko who is known as The Cobra. The match was scheduled for November of 2014.

21. Nikolay Mihaylov (1988)

Bulgarian Footballer

Bulgarian professional football player who is known for his work as a goalkeeper for the Levski club as well the the Omonia club. He is also known for his work...

22. Hristo Shopov (1964)

Actress

Actor who portrayed Pontius Pilate in The Passion of the Christ, directed by Mel Gibson. He also starred in Operation Shmenti Capelli and Love.net.

23. Ani Hoang (1991)

Pop Singer

Pop star who began receiving major airplay in Bulgaria with her second single, "Medication for a Man," in 2011. She has continued to build her fan base with hits like...

24. Tervel Pulev (1983)

Boxer

Heavyweight Olympic boxer who took home bronze at the 2012 London Olympic Games. He also took home silver medals in 2010 and 2011 at the European Amateur Championships.

25. Nickolai Stoilov (1968)

Actor

Well known for providing his voice for several video game roles in the Call of Duty, Tom Clancy, and Socom U.S. Navy Seals franchises, he also lent his voice for...

26. Yordanka Donkova (1961)

Athletics (sport) Competitor

Bulgarian former hurdler who set four world records in 1986 alone. In 1988, she won an Olympic gold medal in the 100 meter hurdles.

27. Albena Denkova (1974)

Figure Skater

Bulgarian figure skater and ice dancer who competed in the Olympics and numerous European championships.

28. Mihail Alexandrov (1985)

Swimmer

Mihail Alexandrov also known as Mike Euro and The Script is an Olympic swimmer from Bulgaria. He swam for Bulgaria at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. Alexandrov has been swimming...

29. Neli Boteva (1974)

Bulgarian Badminton Player

Neli Boteva is a female badminton player from Bulgaria. Boteva competed in badminton at the 2004 Summer Olympics in women's doubles with partner Petya Nedelcheva. They were defeated by...

30. Anton Vergilov (1985)

Bulgarian Footballer

Anton Vergilov is a Bulgarian football defender who currently plays for Oborishte.

31. Eleonora Kezhova (1985)

Olympic Gymnast

Eleоnora Valerieva Kezhova is a retired Bulgarian rhythmic gymnast. She is a two-time member of the Bulgarian rhythmic gymnastics team at the World Championships and contributed to a silver medal...

32. Nik Dashev (1991)

Bulgarian Footballer

Nik Dashev is a Bulgarian football player currently playing for Cherno More as a goalkeeper.

33. Tervel Dlagnev (1985)

Bulgarian American Wrestler

Tervel Dlagnev is a Bulgarian American wrestler who won the 2012 U. S. Olympic Trials at 120 kg FS.

34. Rosen Dimitrov (1982)

Bulgarian Martial Artist

Rosen Dimitrov is a Bulgarian Sambo practitioner who is three times world champion in Combat Sambo. He is the trainer of the Bulgarian national team of combat sambo. He is...

35. Zhana Bergendorff (1985)

Bulgarian Singer

Zhana Bergendorff is a Bulgarian singer and songwriter. She is the winner of the second season of Bulgarian X Factor in 2013.

36. Evgeni Ivanov (volleyball) (1974)

Bulgarian Volleyball Player

Evgeni Ivanov is a Bulgarian volleyball player. He is currently playing for BEEM Mazandaran in Iranian Volleyball Super League. He started his career playing for the team of CSKA Sofia....

37. Radoslav Rangelov (1985)

Bulgarian Footballer

Radoslav Rangelov is a Bulgarian footballer currently playing for as a midfielder.

38. Lyuben Nikolov (1985)

Bulgarian Footballer

Lyuben Nikolov is a Bulgarian footballer who currently plays as a defender for Dinamo Brest in Belarus.

39. Strashimira Filipova (1985)

Bulgarian Volleyball Player

Strashimira Filipova is a Bulgarian volleyball player. She represented the Bulgaria national team at the 2005 Women’s European Volleyball Championship which marked her debut for the national side.

40. Georgi Stanchev (1985)

Bulgarian Footballer

Georgi Stanchev is a Bulgarian football striker currently playing for Kaliakra Kavarna. He was raised in Spartak's youth teams but in 2004 signed first professional contract with Kaliakra Kavarna.

41. Troyan Radulov (1974)

Bulgarian Footballer

Troyan Radulov is a Bulgarian former footballer. In his career Radulov played as a midfielder for Slavia Sofia Vidima-Rakovski Sevlievo Spartak Varna and Akademik Sofia in the Bulgarian A Professional...

42. Eva Yaneva (1985)

Bulgarian Volleyball Player

Eva Yaneva is a Bulgarian volleyball player. She currently plays for JT Marvelous in Japan.

43. Boyko Velichkov (1974)

Bulgarian Footballer

Boyko Velichkov is a former Bulgarian footballer.

44. Stoycho Mladenov, Jr. (1985)

Bulgarian Footballer

Stoycho Mladenov Jr. is a former Bulgarian football player who was played as a midfielder. He started his career in CSKA Sofia. He played for a few clubs including...

45. Daniel Shmedin (1991)

Bulgarian Footballer

Daniel Shmedin is a Bulgarian footballer. He currently plays as a striker for Slivnishki geroi on loan from Levski Sofia.

46. Ventsislav Bonev (1980)

Bulgarian Footballer

Ventsislav Bonev is a Bulgarian professional footballer who currently plays as a defender for Marek Dupnitsa. He is a central and left defender. He had previously played for Lokomotiv Sofia...

47. Tomi Kostadinov (1991)

Bulgarian Footballer

Tomislav Kostadinov Kostadinov is a Bulgarian footballer. He currently plays as a midfielder for Greek side Chania.

48. Anjela Nedyalkova (1991)

Actress

49. Blagoy Paskov (1991)

Bulgarian Footballer

Blagoy Paskov is a Bulgarian footballer currently playing for Spartak Varna as a striker.

50. Simona Peycheva (1985)

Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnast

Simona Peycheva is an Individual Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnast.