Famous Albanians
Test your knowledge and see if you know them!
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa, real name Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, was born on 26 August 1910 in Skopje, then part of the Ottoman Empire (now in northern Macedonia). His family was of Albanian and Catholic ethnicity, which was itself a rarity in a region where the majority were Orthodox or Muslim.
Mother Teresa is thus linked to Albania through her language, her culture and her family. She spoke Albanian as her mother tongue and always kept in touch with her Albanian identity, even though most of her life and work took place in India. The values of his childhood – religiosity, community and helping the poor – were strongly rooted in the Albanian tradition.
Later, when her worldwide work for the poor and the sick was recognized, Albania (and especially Albanians around the world) began to regard her as a national hero and a source of pride, even though Mother Teresa herself always insisted that she was “a servant of God, not of any nation.”
In the 1990s, after the fall of the communist dictatorship in Albania, Mother Teresa visited the country and also met with its leaders. Albania awarded her high honours for her work.
Skënderbeu (Gjergj Kastrioti)
Skënderbeu (Finnish: Skanderbeg) or Gjergj Kastrioti (c. 1405-1468) is an Albanian national hero. He is considered a symbol of the Albanians’ struggle for freedom against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century.
Skënderbeu was born into an Albanian noble family.
As a young man, he was taken to the Ottoman court and raised as a Muslim and a soldier.
In adulthood, however, he rebelled, returned to Christianity and led the Albanians in a revolt against Ottoman rule in 1443.
He united many scattered Albanian tribes and founded the Lezhë League, a kind of defensive alliance against the Ottoman threat.
Skënderbeu managed to keep the Ottomans at bay for almost 25 years, an incredible feat for the time.
His connection with Albania is deep and multi-level:
He has become the most important historical symbol of Albanian independence and national identity.
In Tirana, the capital of Albania, there is Skënderbeu Square (Sheshi Skënderbej), and his statue is one of the most famous monuments in the country.
He is also respected by Albanians in Kosovo, northern Macedonia and other Balkan regions.
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Ismail Qemali
(1844-1919) is the father of Albanian independence and one of the most important figures in the country’s history.
He was born in Vlora, southern Albania, as part of an influential family.
As a young man, he worked in the Ottoman administration and was involved in many reform movements.
Although he served the Ottomans for a long time, he grew up to be a strong defender of Albanian identity and independence.
Ismail Qemal’s greatest moment was in 1912, when he led the Albanian independence movement.
He gathered representatives from all over Albania in the city of Vlora.
On 28 November 1912, he proclaimed Albania’s independence from the Ottoman Empire and raised the Albanian national flag in Vlora.
He also became the head of Albania’s first interim government, a kind of prime minister.
Without Ismail Qemal, Albania would probably not have emerged as a unified state at that very moment.
He is seen as a symbol of national unity and diplomacy.
His grave is in Vlora, and his birthday and Independence Day (28 November) are celebrated as major holidays in Albania.
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Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa is a British-Albanian pop singer and songwriter born on 22 August 1995 in London. Her parents are of Albanian origin and emigrated from Kosovo (a predominantly Albanian country) to the UK before she was born. Dua Lipa’s family roots are therefore strongly linked to Albanianism. Her father, Dukagjin Lipa, is a musician, and her mother, Anesa Lipa, works in tourism.
Dua Lipa herself has often spoken proudly of her Albanian background. She speaks Albanian and also spent part of her teenage years in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, before returning to London to pursue a career in music. He has been instrumental in promoting Kosovo’s culture and visibility worldwide, including being awarded Kosovo citizenship and the title of “Cultural Ambassador”.
He has also set up the Sunny Hill Foundation with his family, a charity that supports opportunities for young people in Kosovo – and organises the annual Sunny Hill Festival music event in Pristina.
He has posted photos and videos of Saranda on social media, which has raised awareness of the city, especially among a younger international audience.
Rita Ora
Rita Ora is a British-Albanian singer, songwriter and actress, born on 26 November 1990 in Pristina, Kosovo. Her family is of Albanian origin and they moved to London when Rita was just a baby – the family had to flee escalating political tensions and violence in Kosovo.
Rita Ora’s real name is Rita Sahatçiu Ora. “Sahatçiu” means “watchmaker” in Albanian (a word of Turkish origin), and “Ora” (“time” in Albanian) was added to facilitate and internationalise the artist’s name.
Although Rita Ora grew up and built her career in the UK, she has always emphasised her pride in her Albanian background. She has spoken publicly about her background and how important it is for her to represent the Kosovo and Albanian story worldwide. He has also been officially recognised as a citizen of Kosovo and has appeared in Pristina at major celebrations, including Kosovo Independence Day.
Era Istrefi
He is a Kosovar-Albanian singer and songwriter, born on 4 July 1994 in Pristina, Kosovo. He rose to international fame with his 2015 song “BonBon”, which combined pop, dancehall and reggaeton – and also gained a lot of attention because the song was sung in both Albanian and English.
Era Istrefi’s family has a strong musical background: her mother Suzana Tahirsylaj was a well-known Albanian singer in the 1980s and 1990s, and her sister Nora Istrefi is also a popular pop singer. This musical heritage is also clearly reflected in Era’s own career.
Era often sings in Albanian and has strong ties to Albanian culture. He is considered one of the new generation of Albanian artists who have brought Albanian music and aesthetics to international pop culture.
In 2018, Era Istrefi also performed the official song of the 2018 World Cup, “Live It Up”, alongside Will Smith and Nicky Jam – a huge international performance opportunity.
Eliza Dushku
is an American actor and producer, born December 30, 1980 in Boston, Massachusetts. He is best known for his roles in TV series such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (as Faith) and its spin-off “Angel”, and the series “Dollhouse”. She has also appeared in several films, including Bring It On, True Lies and Wrong Turn.
Eliza Dushku has strong Albanian roots: her father, Philip Dushku, is a native Albanian from Albania. Her mother is of Danish and English background. Eliza has spoken a lot in public about her Albanian background and has visited Albania several times. She also became an Albanian citizen in 2011 and has been a supporter of many cultural projects in Albania.
In addition, Eliza Dushku has been involved in a documentary project called “Dear Albania”, which showcases the beauty and culture of Albania – a kind of travel and identity journey to her own roots.
Jim Belushi
is an American actor, comedian and musician, known for his role in the television series According to Jim and films such as Red Heat and K-9. He was born on 15 June 1954 in Chicago, Illinois, and is the younger brother of the well-known actor John Belushi.
Jim Belushi has strong Albanian roots. His father, Adam Anastas Belushi, was an Albanian immigrant from the village of Qytezë in the Korçë region of southern Albania. His mother, Agnes Demetri Samaras, was born in Ohio to parents of Albanian origin. Jim is therefore of full Albanian ancestry.
Jim Belushi is proud of his Albanian heritage and has actively nurtured his links with Albania. In 2009 he was granted Albanian citizenship and in 2008 he was awarded the country’s highest civilian honour, the “Nderi i Kombit” or “Honour of the Nation”.Wikipedia
In 2023, Belushi visited Albania and met Prime Minister Edi Rama to discuss the legalisation of cannabis for medicinal use. He expressed his wish to bring his expertise and experience to Albania in the cultivation and use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Jim Belushi has also documented his travels and experiences in Albania, and has spoken openly about how his Albanian background has influenced his life and career.
John Belushi
John Belushi was an American actor and comedian, born January 24, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois. He rose to fame in the 1970s, particularly as an original member of Saturday Night Live and for films such as Animal House and The Blues Brothers.
John Belushi’s family had strong Albanian roots. His father, Adam Anastas Belushi, was an Albanian immigrant who came to the United States from Qytezë, Albania. His mother, Agnes Demetri (née Samaras), was also of Albanian background. John grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, and his family was active in the Albanian Orthodox Church. He was buried with Orthodox rites, highlighting his connection to Albanian culture.
Although John Belushi has not often spoken publicly about his Albanian background, his family and especially his brother Jim Belushi have been active supporters of Albanian culture and community. Jim has been granted Albanian citizenship and has served as a cultural ambassador for the country.
John Belushi’s legacy lives on through his iconic roles and influence in the world of comedy. His Albanian background is part of his identity and cultural heritage, which has been nurtured and promoted by his family.
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Ismail Kadare
(s. 28.1.1936 – 1.7.2024)
is one of Albania’s best-known writers. He is the author of novels, poems and essays and is widely respected as a writer internationally. Kadare is particularly famous for bringing Albanian culture and history to the forefront of world literature.
He began his career as a poet, but later moved more into writing novels. His works combine history, mythology and political symbolism.
Kadare has won several international awards, including the Man Booker International Prize in 2005. He has also been nominated several times for the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Born and raised in Albania, much of Kadare’s literary output deals with Albanian history, traditions and society.
He lived most of his youth under the communist Enver Hoxha regime. Many of his works depict life in the shadow of the dictatorship, often with hidden messages and symbols, because direct criticism was dangerous.
In 1990, Kadare went into exile in France, just before the fall of the Albanian communist regime. Since then he has lived mainly in Paris, but his literary identity has always remained strongly Albanian.
He is still considered one of the most important representatives of Albanian culture and national identity in the world.
William George Gregory
(born May 14, 1957 in Lockport, New York) is an American former NASA astronaut and Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force. He is best known for his participation in the STS-67 space mission in 1995.
Gregory graduated from the US Air Force Academy in 1979 and received his Master’s degree from Columbia University in 1980. He served as a fighter pilot and test pilot before being selected for NASA astronaut training in 1990. He flew into space on the Endeavour shuttle during the STS-67 mission, which lasted more than 16 days and was the longest space shuttle mission at the time.
William Gregory is of Albanian descent; his family roots are in the village of Dardhë in the Korçë region of Albania.His father, an Albanian military pilot, emigrated to the United States when William was two years old. (atlantiku.com)
Gregory is proud of his Albanian roots. He was baptized at St. Elijah’s Albanian Orthodox Church in Jamestown, New York. He has also taken a small Albanian flag with him on his space flight, paying tribute to his origins.
Gregory’s achievements have made him a prominent figure in the Albanian-American community, and his legacy inspires many young people who dream of a career in aviation and space exploration.
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Luiza Gega
is an Albanian track and field athlete who has achieved remarkable results, particularly in the 3000 m steeplechase. Born on 5 November 1988 in Dibër, Albania, she has represented her country in international competitions since 2013.(Luiza Gega Biography – Pantheon World, Luiza Gega: Middle-Distance Runner, Biography … – Sportsmatik)
Gega specialises in middle and long distance running, especially the 3000m steeplechase.
Won the gold medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2022 European Athletics Championships in Munich, which was Albania’s first European Athletics Championship.
Won a silver medal in the same event at the 2016 European Championships in Amsterdam.
Is the Albanian record holder in several running distances, including 800 m, 1500 m, 3000 m, 5000 m, 10 000 m and marathon. (History maker! Luiza Gega … – European Athletics – Facebook , Sport in Albania, Luiza Gega Biography – Pantheon World)
Olympics: Gega has participated in both the Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. He was Albania’s flag bearer at both opening ceremonies. In Tokyo, she advanced to the final of the 3000m steeplechase, the first time an Albanian athlete reached the final of an Olympic Games.(She wants the final in “Paris 2024″/ Luiza Gega shows her emotions)
Luiza Gega has strong links with her native Albania. She has represented her country in international competitions and is a member of the Albanian armed forces, serving as a military police officer. Her career has inspired many Albanians and she has been recognised both at home and internationally.
Gega’s career is an example of how commitment and hard work can lead to great achievements, and he is a source of pride for Albania.
Lorik Cana
He was born in 1983 in Pristina (then part of Yugoslavia, now Kosovo), but his family is of Albanian origin.
Cana played as a defender and midfielder and was a long-time captain of the Albanian national team.
During his career, he played for several major European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Marseille, Sunderland, Galatasaray and Lazio.
Lorik Cana is a truly important figure in Albanian football history, and he is highly respected for leading the Albanian national team to its historic first qualification: the European Championship in 2016.
Armando Broja
(10.9.2001)
English-born footballer who has represented Albania at national team level since 2019. This decision has been hailed around the world as a tribute to his Albanian roots.
Xherdan Shaqiri
(10.10.1991)
Xherdan Shaqiri is one of the most famous Albanian-born footballers in the world. Although he has spent his entire career with the Swiss national team, his roots are firmly in Albanian culture, particularly in Kosovo.
Shaqiri made international headlines at the 2018 World Cup when he scored against Serbia and celebrated by making a double-headed eagle – Albania’s national symbol – with his hands.