Anybody who has been to Slovenia can’t stop waxing lyrical about it. And rightly so! After all, what’s not to love about a place that packs in as much beauty as diversity as this European country? Do not be fooled by its size. Regardless of the petite portion of the planet that it occupies, this country has always been a crowd-pleaser and crowd-puller for more reasons than just its traffic-stopping beauty. Talking about Slovenia, it is hard to not laud some of its acclaimed denizens who have earned the country great distinctions. Slovenia indeed has famous men, in spades! You will be surprised to know the first advanced light aircraft was invented by a Slovene and so was the patio-favorite Rex chair. But that is not all. From pioneering new technologies and advancements to inspiring poetry in mundane minds and from accomplishing groundbreaking medical feats to inventing a wad of new stuffs, the Slovenes can claim to have done it all. So what are you waiting for? Read on to know all about the lives of famous Slovene men in the biographies below that captures their timeline, facts and lesser known trivia with integrity.
Vote for Your Favourite Slovene Men
Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.
1
Josip Broz Tito(Yugoslav Communist Revolutionary and the chief Architect of the 'Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia')
Birthdate: May 25, 1892
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kumrovec, Croatia
Died: May 4, 1980
Josip Broz Tito served as the prime minister of Yugoslavia from 1944 to 1963 and as its president from 1953 to 1980. He was also the Marshal of Yugoslavia. During World War II, he led the Partisans. He was also one of the main figures behind the Non-Aligned Movement.
Birthdate: March 21, 1949
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Slavoj Žižek is a Slovenian philosopher whose works in subjects, such as continental philosophy, Marxism, Hegelianism, and psychoanalysis, has gained him international influence. Often dubbed a celebrity philosopher and Elvis of cultural theory, Žižek was named in Foreign Policy's Top 100 Global Thinkers list in 2012. His work has had an impact on widespread public audiences and academic.
3
Luka Dončić(Basketball Player)
Birthdate: February 28, 1999
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Luka Dončić is a Slovenian basketball player best known for his association with Dallas Mavericks with which he has won the NBA All-Star thrice so far. He is also known for leading Real Madrid to the EuroLeague title in 2018. Luka Dončić is also an important player for the Slovenian national team.
Recommended Lists:4
Primož Roglič(Slovenian Professional Racing Cyclist and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Birthdate: October 29, 1989
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Trbovlje, Slovenia
Primož Roglič is a Slovenian racing cyclist who in 2017 became the first cyclist from his country to win a stage at Tour de France. He then went on to win the Vuelta a España for three successive years. Primož Roglič achieved international recognition at the 2020 Olympic Games where he won the gold medal in the time trial event.
Recommended Lists:5
Goran Dragić(Slovenian Basketball Player Who Led His Team to Its Maiden 'FIBA EuroBasket' Title in 2017)
Birthdate: May 6, 1986
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Goran Dragić is a Slovenian basketball player best known for his accomplishments in the NBA. An NBA All-Star, Dragić has played for popular teams like Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, and Brooklyn Nets. He is also credited with leading his national team to its maiden FIBA EuroBasket title in 2017. The same year, he was named Slovenian Sportsman of the Year.
6
Jan Oblak(Slovenian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Goalkeeper)
Birthdate: January 7, 1993
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Škofja Loka, Slovenia
Jan Oblak is a Slovenian football player best known for his role as the goalkeeper and captain for the Slovenia national team. He also plays for the popular Spanish club Atlético Madrid. A tall, athletic, and strong goalkeeper, Jan Oblak is renowned for his agility, quick reflexes, and speed. He is often counted among the best goalkeepers in the world.
Recommended Lists:7
Rade Šerbedžija(One of the Best Known Croatian Actors of the 1970s and 1980s)
Birthdate: July 27, 1946
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Bunić, Croatia
Rade Šerbedžija is a Croatian actor, musician, and director. One of the best known Croatian actors of the 1970s and 1980s, Šerbedžija has also achieved international fame by appearing in popular films like Mission: Impossible 2, X-Men: First Class, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:Part 1. Rade Šerbedžija is considered one of the finest Croatian actors of his generation.
8
Luka Sulic(Cellist)
Birthdate: August 25, 1987
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Maribor,
Recommended Lists:9
Tadej Pogačar(Slovenian Professional Cyclist)
Birthdate: September 21, 1998
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Komenda, Slovenia
Tadej Pogačar is a Slovenian cyclist best known for his bronze medal-winning performance in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. He also won the prestigious Tour de France in 2020 and 2021, achieving enormous fame among cycling enthusiasts around the world. Tadej Pogačar is the first Slovenian and the second-youngest winner of Tour de France.
10
Anže Kopitar(Slovene Professional Ice Hockey Centre)
Birthdate: August 24, 1987
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Jesenice, Slovenia
Anže Kopitar is a Slovene ice hockey player and the current captain for the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL. Since becoming the first Slovene to play in the National Hockey League in 2006, Kopitar has made his presence felt in the professional ice hockey league. In 2012 and 2014, Anže Kopitar helped the Kings win the prestigious Stanley Cup.
11
Josip Iličić(Slovenian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Forward)
Birthdate: January 29, 1988
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Prijedor, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Josip Iličić is a Slovenian football player best known for his dribbling skills, technique, and creativity. An important player for the Slovenia national team, Iličić was adjudged Slovenian Footballer of the Year in 2019. Josip Iličić is the oldest player to score four goals in a knockout match at the Champions League.
12
Peter Prevc(Slovenian Ski Jumper)
Birthdate: September 20, 1992
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kranj, Slovenia
Peter Prevc is a Slovenian ski jumper best known for winning the Ski Jumping World Cup overall title in 2016. He is also known for winning gold and a silver medal at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. A former world record holder, Peter Prevc was adjudged Slovenian Sportsman of the Year on four occasions.
13
Aljaž Škorjanec(Dancer)
Birthdate: February 19, 1990
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Ptuj, Slovenia
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
14
Borut Pahor(President)
Birthdate: November 2, 1963
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Postojna
15
Samir Handanović(Slovenian Football Player Who Plays as a Goalkeeper)
Birthdate: July 14, 1984
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Samir Handanović is a Slovenian football player who plays as a goalkeeper. The current captain of the popular Italian club, Inter Milan, Handanović has been playing for the team since 2012, winning tournaments like Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana, and Serie A. Counted among the best goalkeepers of his generation, Samir Handanović was named Slovenian Footballer of the Year thrice.
16
Sasha Vujačić(Retired Professional Basketball Player)
Birthdate: March 8, 1984
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Maribor, Slovenia
Sasha Vujačić is a Slovenian retired professional basketball player best known for his association with the Los Angeles Lakers. He won the 2009 and 2010 NBA championship titles with the Lakers. Sasha Vujačić is also credited with helping the Auxilium Torino win the 2018 Italian Basketball Cup.
17
Vlatko Čančar(Basketball Player)
Birthdate: April 10, 1997
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Koper, Slovenia
Vlatko Čančar is a Slovenian basketball player who plays at the NBA for the Denver Nuggets. Čančar achieved national prominence when he helped his team win the gold medal at EuroBasket 2017. An important member for his national basketball team, Vlatko Čančar also represented his country at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
18
Anthony Randolph(Basketball Player)
Birthdate: July 15, 1989
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Würzburg, West Germany
Anthony Randolph is an American-Slovenian basketball player who was part of the Slovenian national team that win the 2017 EuroBasket title . He is also known for his association with Real Madrid, winning the 2017 Spanish Cup, 2018 EuroLeague, and three Spanish Supercups with the team.
19
Kevin Kampl(Slovenian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Midfielder)
Birthdate: October 9, 1990
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Solingen, Germany
Kevin Kampl is a Slovenian professional football player who plays for the Bundesliga club RB Leipzig. Although he was eligible to play for either Germany or Slovenia, because of his dual citizenship, Kevin Kampl chose to play for Slovenia early in his career. In 2013 and 2014, he was named Slovenian Footballer of the Year.
20
Janez Janša(Prime Minister of Slovenia from 2020 to 2022)
Birthdate: September 17, 1958
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Ljubljana, Slovenia
21
France Prešeren(Poet, Lawyer, Writer, Poet lawyer)
Birthdate: December 3, 1800
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Vrba
Died: February 8, 1849
Slovenia’s national poet, France Prešeren was one of the pioneers of Romanticism in Europe. He also penned the first ballad and epic of his country. Though he initially studied law, he later soared to fame with works such as Sonetni venec and brought in elements of ghazal and pattern poetry to Slovenian literature.
22
Edvard Kardelj(Politician)
Birthdate: January 27, 1910
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Died: February 10, 1979
23
Duncan Haldane(British Physicist Known for His Work on Explaining Properties of One-Dimensional Chains of Atomic Magnets)
Birthdate: September 14, 1951
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: London, England
Duncan Haldane is a British-born physicist who is currently serving as the Sherman Fairchild University Professor of Physics at Princeton University. He has made numerous fundamental contributions to condensed matter physics. He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. In 2016, he received the Nobel Prize in Physics along with David J. Thouless and J. Michael Kosterlitz.
24
Beno Udrih(Slovenian Former Professional Basketball Player and Coach)
Birthdate: July 5, 1982
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Celje, Slovenia
Beno Udrih is a Slovenian retired basketball player who played in the NBA for popular teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, and Sacramento Kings. While playing for the Spurs in 2005 and 2007, Udrih won two NBA titles. Beno Udrih also won two Slovenian League titles and three Slovenian Cups during his playing career.
25
Janez Drnovšek(Prime Minister)
Birthdate: May 17, 1950
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Celje
Died: February 23, 2008
26
Rene Krhin(Slovenian Professional Footballer Who Played as a Central Midfielder)
Birthdate: May 21, 1990
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Maribor, Slovenia
Rene Krhin is a Slovenian football player who achieved popularity in 2009-10 as a member of Internazionale or Inter Milan which won the Serie A, Coppa Italia, and UEFA Champions League in 2010. Rene Krhin also played for the Slovenia national football team from 2009 to 2019.
27
Martin Strel(Slovenian Long-Distance Swimmer)
Birthdate: October 1, 1954
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Trebelno, Slovenia
Martin Strel is a Slovenian swimmer who holds Guinness World Records for swimming the Mississippi River, the Danube River, the Amazon River, and the Yangtze River. One of the most famous endurance athletes of his generation, Martin Strel claims to swim the entire length of rivers for peace, friendship, and clean waters.
28
Klemen Prepelič(Basketball Player)
Birthdate: October 20, 1992
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Maribor, Slovenia
Klemen Prepelič is a Slovenian basketball player who represents Valencia Basket at the Liga ACB. Prepelič also plays for the Slovenian national basketball team and was instrumental in Slovenia's triumph at EuroBasket 2017 where they won the gold medal. Klemen Prepelič has also represented his country at other important tournaments, inclucing the Olympics.
29
Jaka Blažič(Slovenian Basketball Player)
Birthdate: June 30, 1990
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Jesenice, Slovenia
Jaka Blažič is a Slovenian basketball player who helped the national team win the gold medal at EuroBasket 2017 in Turkey. Apart from playing for the Slovenia national team, Jaka Blažič also plays for clubs and is currently an important member of the Turkish club, Bahçeşehir Koleji.
30
Emir Preldžić(Basketball Player)
Birthdate: September 6, 1987
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Emir Preldžić is a Bosnian-Turkish basketball player who has played for the Turkish national basketball team. A versatile player, Preldžić can play as a power forward, point guard, and shooting guard, although he predominantly plays at the small forward position. Emir Preldžić has also played for the Slovenian national basketball team.
Birthdate: January 23, 1872
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Died: January 7, 1957
Jože Plečnik was a Slovene architect best remembered for designing the Slovene National and University Library building. Plečnik had a great impact on the architecture of Ljubljana, Prague, and Vienna. Jože Plečnik's impact on the capital city of Slovenia is so great that it is often compared to the impact Antoni Gaudí i Cornet had on the city of Barcelona.
32
Robert Koren(Slovenian Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Midfielder)
Birthdate: September 20, 1980
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Radlje ob Dravi, Slovenia
Robert Koren is a Slovenian retired football player who played for the Slovenia national football team from 2003 to 2011. Robert Koren is also known for his association with popular clubs like West Bromwich Albion with which he won the 2008 Football League Championship title. In 2006, Robert Koren received the Kniksen Award for Midfielder of the Year.
33
Boštjan Cesar(Slovenian Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Centre-Back)
Birthdate: July 9, 1982
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Boštjan Cesar is a Slovenian retired football player who represented his national team at the FIFA World Cup in 2010. With over 100 appearances at the international level, Boštjan Cesar is Slovenia's most capped player. He also won the Croatian Cup and the Croatian Supercup between 2001 and 2004.
34
Zoran Dragić(Basketball Player)
Birthdate: June 22, 1989
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Zoran Dragić is a Slovenian basketball player who plays for the Slovenian national basketball team. A three-time Slovenian League champion, Zoran Dragić has also won the Italian Cup, Turkish Cup, Slovenian Cup, two Italian Super Cups, and two Slovenian Supercups.
35
Valter Birsa(Slovenian Retired Footballer Who Played as a Winger)
Birthdate: August 7, 1986
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Šempeter pri Gorici, Slovenia
Valter Birsa is a Slovenian former football player who played for the Slovenia national football team from 2006 to 2018. In 2010, he was adjudged Slovenian Footballer of the Year. Valter Birsa is also known for his association with Sochaux for which he won the Coupe de France in 2007.
36
Vinko Bogataj(Painter and Former Ski Jumper)
Birthdate: March 4, 1948
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Brezovica, Slovenia
Vinko Bogataj is a Slovenian painter and retired ski jumper. He achieved popularity when footage of him crashing was played on ABC's Wide World of Sports. After retiring, Vinko Bogataj worked as a ski instructor, painter, and forklift operator. He achieved popularity again, this time as a painter, as his works have won awards in both the US and Europe.
37
Ben Dolic(Singer)
Birthdate: May 4, 1997
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Ljubljana, Slovenia
38
Matej Mohorič(Slovenian Road Racing Cyclist Who Won National Championship Titles in 2018 and 2021)
Birthdate: October 19, 1994
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Kranj, Slovenia
Matej Mohorič is a Slovenian road racing cyclist who won the national championship title in 2018 and 2021. He is also known for winning two individual stages at the 2021 Tour de France. Matej Mohorič currently rides for Team Bahrain Victorious.
39
Kevin Pangos(Basketball player)
Birthdate: January 26, 1993
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Canadian basketball player Kevin Pangos is best known for his stint with the NBA team Cleveland Cavaliers. The 6’2” player of Slovenian origin is a dependable point guard. Though initially interested in hockey, he later switched to basketball, as his father, too, played the sport.
40
Boštjan Nachbar(Slovenian Retired Basketball Player)
Birthdate: July 3, 1980
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia
Boštjan Nachbar is a Slovenian retired basketball player who led the national team to a fourth place finish at EuroBasket 2009. Over the course of his career, Boštjan Nachbar has won several prestigious tournaments, such as the 2014 Spanish League, 2015 Spanish Supercup, and 2012 German Supercup.
41
Danilo Türk(President)
Birthdate: February 19, 1952
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Maribor
42
Saša Dončić(Slovenian Former Basketball Player and Basketball Coach)
Birthdate: June 14, 1974
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Šempeter pri Gorici, Slovenia
Saša Dončić is a Slovenian former basketball player who played in several clubs in Serbia, France, and Slovenia. He won three Slovenian Cups and two Slovenian League titles during his playing career. Saša Dončić is also known for his coaching career and was the head coach of Košarkarsko društvo Ilirija in the Slovenian League.
43
Luka Basi(Singer)
Birthdate: October 8, 1993
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia
44
Ivan Cankar(Considered as the Beginner of Modernism in Slovene Literature)
Birthdate: May 10, 1876
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Vrhnika, Slovenia
Died: December 11, 1918
Ivan Cankar was a Slovene writer, poet, essayist, playwright, and political activist. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of modernism in Slovene literature. Considered the greatest Slovene language writer, Cankar had a great influence on the subsequent generations of intellectuals and writers. Numerous streets, institutions, and public buildings have been named in his honor.
45
Roman Bezjak(Slovenian Footballer Who Plays as a Forward)
Birthdate: February 21, 1989
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
46
Jordan Morgan(Basketball Player)
Birthdate: September 15, 1991
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, United States
Jordan Morgan is an American-born Slovenian basketball player who currently plays for Reyer Venezia. In 2017, he won the Slovenian Supercup and also won the Slovenian League in 2018. Apart from his skills as a basketball player, Jordan Morgan is also known for his charitable endeavors; he has a charitable organization registered under the name, Jordan Morgan Foundation.
47
Edo Murić(Slovenian Professional Basketball Player)
Birthdate: November 27, 1991
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Edo Murić is a Slovenian basketball player best known for winning the gold medal for Slovenia at the 2017 EuroBasket in Turkey. A six-time Slovenian League champion, Edo Murić has also won other prestigious tournaments like the Slovenian Cup, Turkish Cup, Slovenian Supercup, and Croatian Cup.
48
DJ Umek(Disc jockey)
Birthdate: May 16, 1976
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Ljubljana
49
Zlatko Zahovič(Slovenian Former Professional Footballer Who Played as an Attacking Midfielder)
Birthdate: February 1, 1971
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Maribor, Slovenia
Zlatko Zahovič is a Slovenian retired professional football player best known for his goal-scoring ability. Zahovič, who holds the all-time record for the highest number of goals for Slovenia, helped his national team qualify for the first time to a World Cup and a European Championship in the early 2000s. Zahovič also helped Benfica win the Primeira Liga in 2005.
50
Primož Trubar(writer, translator,theologian, Bible translator)
Birthdate: June 19, 1508
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Carniola
Died: June 28, 1586
Slovenia’s first book, Catechismus, was said to be authored by Primož Trubar. The Protestant reformer from Rašica also founded the Protestant Church of the Duchy of Carniola. He had also written in German and was the first translator of parts of the Bible into Slovene.
