List of Famous people born in Sofia Province, Bulgaria
Sylvie Vartan
Sylvie Vartan is a Bulgarian-French-Armenian singer and actress. She is known as one of the most productive and tough-sounding yé-yé artists. Her performances often featured elaborate show-dance choreography, and she made many appearances on French and Italian TV. With 50 million records and CD's sold worldwide, 2000 magazine covers and being the number one French female singer with concerts and audience worldwide, Sylvie Vartan is considered a true Legend and Icon.
Dobre Dobrev
Dobri Dimitrov Dobrev, better known as Grandpa Dobri, Elder Dobri or The Saint of Bailovo, was a Bulgarian ascetic who walked over 20 kilometres (12 mi) each day to sit or stand in front of the Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky in Sofia to collect money for charitable causes. Dobrev donated all the money he collected to charities, orphanages, churches, and monasteries. He turned 100 in July 2014. In Bulgarian, his name translates as "good" or "kind".
Todor Zhivkov
Todor Hristov Zhivkov was a Bulgarian communist statesman who served as the de facto leader of the People's Republic of Bulgaria (PRB) from 1954 until 1989 as General Secretary of the Bulgarian Communist Party. He was the youngest and second longest-serving leader in the Eastern Bloc.
Ivaylo Yordanov
Ivaylo Stoimenov Yordanov is a Bulgarian retired footballer. Known for his professional approach to the game, he played mainly as a striker.
Lyudmila Zhivkova
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 and spirituality.
Valko Chervenkov
Vâlko Velyov Chervenkov was a Bulgarian communist politician. He served as leader of the Communist Party between 1949 and 1954, and Prime Minister between 1950 and 1956. His rule was marked by the consolidation of the Stalin model, rapid industrialisation, collectivisation and large-scale persecution of political opponents.
Petko Karavelov
Petko Stoichev Karavelov was a leading Bulgarian liberal politician who served as Prime Minister on four occasions.
Yordanka Fandakova
Yordanka Asenova Fandakova is a Bulgarian politician and Mayor of Sofia. She is 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.
Lyuben Karavelov
Lyuben Stoychev Karavelov was a Bulgarian writer and an important figure of the Bulgarian National Revival.
Elin Pelin
Elin Pelin, born Dimitar Ivanov Stoyanov is arguably considered Bulgaria’s best narrator of country life.