Albania has a rich cultural heritage and a proud history, and over the years, many Albanians have made their mark on the world. As people who love art, many Albanian talented singers and actors have emerged from the country over the years.
Here are 30 most famous Albanians in the world:
- Mother Teresa, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, was a Catholic nun who devoted her life to helping the poor and sick. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her humanitarian work and is widely regarded as one of the most important figures of the 20th century.
2. Ismail Kadare is an Albanian novelist, poet, and playwright who is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the prestigious Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 2005.
3. Skanderbeg was an Albanian national hero and military leader who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. A member of the noble Kastrioti family, he was sent as a hostage to the Ottoman court. He was educated there and entered the service of the Ottoman sultan for the next twenty years. His rise through the ranks culminated in his appointment as sanjakbey (governor) of the Sanjak of Dibra in 1440. For 25 years, from 1443 to 1468, Skanderbeg’s 10,000-man army marched through Ottoman territory, winning against consistently larger and better-supplied Ottoman forces. He was greatly admired for this.
4. Bebe Rexha is an Albanian-American singer and songwriter who is best known for her hit singles “Meant to Be” and “I Got You”. She has collaborated with numerous international artists and has been recognized for her powerful vocals and relatable lyrics.
5. Dua Lipa is an Albanian-British singer and songwriter who is best known for her hit songs “New Rules” and “Don’t Show Up”. She has won several awards, including the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, and is widely regarded as one of the leading voices in contemporary pop music. She just recently was granted Albanian Citizenship by the Albanian President.
6. Rita Ora is an Albanian-British singer and actress who is best known for her hit songs “Hot Right Now” and “How We Do (Party)”. She has collaborated with numerous international artists and has been recognized for her powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence.
7. Ava Max is an Albanian-American singer and songwriter who is best known for her hit single “Sweet but Psycho”. She has been recognized for her powerful vocals and innovative pop music and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting new artists in the music industry.
8. Era Istrefi is an Albanian singer and songwriter who is best known for her hit single “Bonbon”. She has gained international recognition for her pop-infused dance music and has been praised for her powerful vocals and captivating stage presence.
9. Jim Belushi is an Albanian-American actor, comedian, and musician who is best known for his roles in the television series “According to Jim” and “Show Me a Hero”. He has also appeared in numerous films, including “Red Heat” and “K-9”.
10. Eliza Dushku: Eliza Dushku is an Albanian-American actress who is best known for her roles in the television series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Dollhouse”. She has also appeared in numerous films, including “True Lies” and “Bring It On”.
11. Taulant Xhaka is an Albanian professional soccer player who currently plays as a central midfielder for Basel and the Albanian national team. He was born on March 3, 1992, in Basel, Switzerland, and has played for several clubs throughout his career, including FC Basel, FC Basel 1893, and FC Basel 1893 U18.
12. Granit Xhaka, brother of Taulant, is a Swiss-Albanian professional soccer player who currently plays as a central midfielder for Arsenal and the Swiss national team. He was born on September 27, 1992, in Basel, Switzerland, and has played for several clubs throughout his career, including FC Basel, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and Arsenal.
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13. Xherdan Shaqiri is a Swiss-Albanian professional soccer player who currently plays as a attacking midfielder for Liverpool and the Swiss national team. He was born on October 10, 1991, in Gjilan, Kosovo, and has played for several clubs throughout his career, including FC Basel, Bayern Munich, and Stoke City. Shaqiri has been a key player for the Swiss national team, and has been praised for his speed, dribbling skills, and finishing ability. He has been a regular starter for Switzerland since his debut in 2010, and has been instrumental in helping the team qualify for major international competitions such as the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup.
14. Kledi Kadiu is an Albanian dancer and choreographer who is best known for his work in contemporary dance. He is considered one of the most influential dancers in Albania and is known for his innovative and energetic performances. Throughout his career, he has performed extensively throughout Europe, especially in Italy and has received widespread recognition for his skills as a dancer and his innovative approach to contemporary dance.
15. Ermal Meta is an Albanian singer-songwriter who is best known for his work in the Italian and Albanian music industry. He was born in Fier, Albania, in 1979, and has lived and worked in Italy since he was a young child. Meta began his musical career as a guitarist and songwriter, and has gone on to become one of the most successful musicians in Italy and Albania.
16. Elsa Lila is an Albanian singer and songwriter who is best known for her contribution to the Albanian music scene. She was born in Tirana, Albania, and began her musical career at a young age. Elsa Lila is considered one of the most important and influential Albanian singers of her generation and is known for her powerful voice and emotional performances.
17. Inva Mula is an Albanian operatic soprano who is best known for her powerful voice and her interpretation of classic opera arias. She was born in Tirana, Albania, and began her musical studies at a young age. Mula went on to study opera at the Albanian National Conservatory and went on to become one of the most successful Albanian opera singers of her generation. Inva Mula has performed extensively throughout Europe and around the world, and has received widespread recognition for her vocal abilities and her powerful stage presence.
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18. Fadil Berisha is an Albanian photographer and artist who is best known for his work in fashion and fine art photography. He was born in Kosovo, but has lived and worked in several countries throughout his career, including Albania and the United States. Berisha is considered one of the most important photographers of his generation and is known for his ability to capture beauty and elegance in his images. He has worked with some of the biggest names in fashion and entertainment, and his images have been featured in numerous international magazines and exhibitions.
19. Tedi Papavrami is an Albanian violinist and classical musician who is best known for his virtuosity and musical versatility. He was born in Tirana, Albania, and began his musical studies at a young age. Tedi Papavrami went on to study at the Vienna Conservatory of Music and the Paris National Conservatory of Music, where he honed his skills as a violinist.
20. Rame Lahaj is a Albanian operatic tenor from Kosovo, and is well known for regularly performing in the most prestigious opera houses in the world. Among his notable roles are Alfredo (La Traviata), Duke of Mantua (Rigoletto), Rodolfo (La Bohème), Edgardo (Lucia di Lammermoor) and Pinkerton (Madama Butterfly).
21. Sislej Xhafa is an Albanian artist and sculptor who is best known for his work in contemporary art. He was born in Pristina, Kosovo, and has lived and worked in several countries throughout his career, including Albania, Italy, and the United States. Xhafa is considered one of the leading voices in contemporary art and is known for his unique style and innovative approach to sculpture. His work often incorporates elements of politics, history, and social commentary, and his pieces are characterized by their use of unconventional materials and their thought-provoking themes.
22. Saimir Pirgu is an Albanian tenor and opera singer who is best known for his powerful voice and his interpretation of classic opera arias. He was born in Tirana, Albania, and began his musical studies at a young age. Pirgu went on to study at the Tirana Academy of Arts and went on to become one of the most successful Albanian opera singers of his generation. Pirgu has performed extensively throughout Europe and around the world, and has received widespread recognition for his vocal abilities and his powerful stage presence.
23. Gjon Mili was an Albanian-American photographer and artist who was best known for his contributions to the field of photography. He was born in Albania in 1904 and emigrated to the United States in 1924, where he became a citizen in 1929. Mili was a pioneering photographer and was one of the first to use stroboscopic photography to capture movement in still images. His most famous works include his photographs of ballerinas, athletes, and musicians, which he captured using his unique and innovative approach to photography.
24. Anri Sala is an Albanian artist and filmmaker who is best known for his work in contemporary art. He was born in Tirana, Albania, in 1974, and has lived and worked in several countries throughout his career, including France, Germany, and the United States. Sala is considered one of the leading voices in contemporary art and is known for his thought-provoking and often politically charged works. He works in a variety of mediums, including film, installation, and sound, and his pieces often explore themes of memory, history, and cultural identity.
25. Arta Dobroshi is an Albanian actress who is best known for her roles in the films “Lorna’s Silence” and “The Boston Strangler”. She has received widespread recognition for her performances and has been praised for her versatility and range as an actress.
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26. Ermonela Jaho is an Albanian soprano who is best known for her work in the world of classical music. She was born in Tirana, Albania, in 1983, and has lived and worked in Italy for much of her career. Jaho has performed with many of the world’s leading opera companies and has been praised for her interpretations of a wide range of classical arias, including works by Puccini, Verdi, and Mozart. She is also known for her advocacy for the promotion of Albanian classical music and has been instrumental in bringing the works of Albanian composers to the attention of international audiences.
27. Angelin Prelocaj is a choreographer of Albanian origin. His choreographic work is steeped in his writing of the history of classical ballet, but is resolutely contemporary. He is considered one of the most important choreographers of today. He joined the Ballet of the National Opera in Paris in the 90s and led his Company since 1985.
28. Tony Dovolani is a Kosovan-Albanian ballroom dancer, choreographer, and instructor who is best known for his work as a professional dancer on the television show Dancing with the Stars. He was born in Pristina, Kosovo, in 1973 and moved to the United States as a young man. Dovolani has been dancing since the age of three, and has been a professional ballroom dancer for over 20 years. He has won numerous international dance competitions and has been recognized for his exceptional skill as a dancer and instructor.
29. Ferid Murad was born in 1936 to an Albanian father and an American mother. He studied chemistry in the pre-med programme at DePauw Universtiy before getting an MD and a pharmacology Ph.D from Case Western Reserve Universtiy in 1965. It was his research into the effects of nitric oxide on muscle cells that helped to lead towards the creation of Viagra as well as the treatment of disorders due to heart problems, shock, cancer, and lung disease.
30. Emina Cunmulaj is an Albanian famous supermodel in USA. She is now married to a millionaire like Sam Nazarian, and is the mother of two young girls. She has been working for the most famous brands in the world.
These famous Albanian people have made significant contributions to various fields and have had a profound impact on the world. They have helped to showcase the rich cultural heritage and diverse talents of the Albanian people to the world.