Alija Izetbegović
1925 – 2003First President of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1990-1996, 1996-2000) who led the country's independence from Yugoslavia and authored influential Islamic philosophical works including 'Islam Between East and West'.
Famous People from Bosnia And Herzegovina
45 notable historical figures from Bosnia And Herzegovina, including leaders, artists, scientists, and other influential people.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has produced 46 historical figures noted in records, many gaining prominence in association football, politics, and coaching. The country's notable personalities include political leaders, athletes, and cultural figures. Alija Izetbegović was the first President of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Wartime leaders Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić played significant roles during the 1990s conflict. In sports, footballers Edin Džeko and Miralem Pjanić are known for their achievements with major European clubs, while Ivica Osim made his mark as both player and coach. Current political figures such as Milorad Dodik and Bakir Izetbegović remain influential. In culture, film director Jasmila Žbanić has gained international recognition. This group of individuals illustrates the political, sporting, and cultural developments that have shaped Bosnia and Herzegovina's role in regional and international affairs.
association football player (23)association football coach (11)politician (8)lawyer (2)basketball player (2)philosopher (1)businessperson (1)engineer (1)poet (1)military personnel (1)
Slobodan Praljak
1945 – 2017Bosnian Croat general during the Yugoslav Wars who was convicted of war crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal and died by suicide in court after drinking poison in 2017.
Radovan Karadžić
1945 – PresentBosnian Serb psychiatrist-turned-politician who served as President of Republika Srpska during the Bosnian War and was later convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for genocide and crimes against humanity.
Ratko Mladić
1943 – PresentFormer Chief of Staff of the Bosnian Serb Army during the 1992-1996 Bosnian War, convicted of genocide for the 1995 Srebrenica massacre and the siege of Sarajevo.
Vedad Ibišević
1984 – PresentStriker who scored 28 goals in 83 appearances for Bosnia and Herzegovina's national team and played in the Bundesliga for clubs including VfB Stuttgart and Hertha Berlin.
Vahid Halilhodžić
1952 – PresentFormer striker who played for Paris Saint-Germain and later managed multiple national teams including Algeria, Japan, and Morocco at World Cup tournaments.
Željko Komšić
1964 – PresentBosnian Croat politician serving as the Croat member of Bosnia and Herzegovina's tripartite presidency since 2018, representing the Democratic Front party.
Asmir Begović
1987 – PresentGoalkeeper who earned over 60 caps for Bosnia and Herzegovina and played in the Premier League for clubs including Stoke City, Bournemouth, and Everton.
Miralem Pjanić
1990 – PresentCreative midfielder who earned over 100 caps for Bosnia and Herzegovina's national team and played for elite clubs including Juventus, Barcelona, and Beşiktaş.
Edin Džeko
1986 – PresentProlific striker who became Bosnia and Herzegovina's all-time leading goalscorer with over 60 international goals and played for top European clubs including Manchester City, AS Roma, and Inter Milan.
Jusuf Nurkić
1994 – PresentNBA center who plays for the Portland Trail Blazers and represents Bosnia and Herzegovina in international basketball.
Safet Sušić
1955 – PresentLegendary Bosnian midfielder who starred for Paris Saint-Germain and Red Star Belgrade, later coaching the Bosnia national team.
Ivica Osim
1941 – 2022Legendary Yugoslav footballer who later managed the Japan national team to the 2006 World Cup and coached FK Sarajevo, known for his tactical innovations and mentoring of players.
Milorad Dodik
1959 – PresentCurrent Serb member of Bosnia and Herzegovina's tripartite presidency and long-serving President of Republika Srpska, known for advocating Bosnian Serb autonomy and opposing centralization.
Ante Marković
1924 – 2011Electrical engineer who served as the last Prime Minister of Yugoslavia from 1989-1991, attempting economic reforms before the country's dissolution.
Haris Medunjanin
1985 – PresentCentral midfielder who played for FC Metz and Philadelphia Union, earning over 50 caps for the Bosnia national team.
Haris Silajdžić
1945 – PresentFormer Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1993-1996) and presidential candidate who played a key role in the country's wartime government and later peace negotiations.
Dušan Bajević
1948 – PresentFormer striker who played for clubs across Europe and later became a successful manager, coaching teams in Greece and the Balkans.
Edvin Kanka Ćudić
1988 – PresentBosnian human rights activist, journalist, and martial artist who advocates for LGBTI+ rights and social justice causes.
Bakir Izetbegović
1956 – PresentSon of Alija Izetbegović who served as Bosniak member of Bosnia and Herzegovina's presidency from 2010-2018, representing the Party of Democratic Action (SDA).
Sergej Barbarez
1971 – PresentFormer striker who scored prolifically in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund and Hamburger SV, later becoming a coach and poker player.
Danis Tanović
1969 – PresentAcademy Award-winning film director best known for 'No Man's Land' (2001) and later served as a Bosnian politician.
Jasmila Žbanić
1974 – PresentInternationally acclaimed filmmaker whose war drama 'Quo Vadis, Aida?' about the Srebrenica massacre was nominated for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in 2021.
Sejad Salihović
1984 – PresentBosnian midfielder known for his free-kick abilities who played for clubs including 1899 Hoffenheim and represented Bosnia internationally.
Vladimir Petković
1963 – PresentFormer midfielder turned manager who coached the Swiss national team and has managed clubs across Europe including Lazio.
Sead Kolašinac
1993 – PresentLeft-back who represented both Germany youth teams and Bosnia and Herzegovina's senior national team, playing for Premier League clubs Arsenal and West Ham United.
Rade Krunić
1993 – PresentVersatile midfielder who has played for AC Milan and Atalanta in Serie A while representing Bosnia internationally.
Hasan Salihamidžić
1977 – PresentFormer Bayern Munich midfielder who won multiple Champions League titles as a player and later served as the club's sporting director from 2017 to 2023.
Emir Spahić
1980 – PresentFormer defender who captained Bosnia and Herzegovina's national team and played for top European clubs including Sevilla, Lokomotiv Moscow, and Bayer Leverkusen.
Dino Merlin
1962 – PresentBosnia's most acclaimed pop singer and composer, known for hits like 'Godinama' and representing Bosnia at Eurovision 1999.
Borjana Krišto
1961 – PresentCroatian-Bosnian politician who has served as Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2023.
Biljana Plavšić
1930 – PresentFormer university professor who served as President of Republika Srpska from 1996-1998 and was later convicted of war crimes.
Mirza Delibašić
1954 – 2001Legendary basketball player and coach who starred for Bosna and Yugoslavia, considered one of Europe's greatest players of the 1970s-80s.
Dragan Đokanović
1958 – PresentFormer artistic gymnast who competed for Yugoslavia at the Olympics before transitioning to politics as a Bosnian Serb representative in post-war Bosnia.
Senad Lulić
1986 – PresentBosnian midfielder who has played over 100 matches for S.S. Lazio in Serie A and represented Bosnia and Herzegovina internationally.
Željka Cvijanović
1967 – PresentCurrent President of Republika Srpska since 2018 and former Prime Minister, representing the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) party.
Mensur Mujdža
1984 – PresentBosnian defender who has played for clubs including FC Köln and represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at international level.
Mirko Hrgović
1979 – PresentFormer defender who played for Bosnia and Herzegovina's national team and later transitioned into coaching roles in professional football.
Vinko Puljić
1945 – PresentCatholic Cardinal who has served as Archbishop of Sarajevo since 1990, playing a significant role during and after the Bosnian War.
Ivan Radeljić
1980 – PresentFormer defender who played for Bosnia and Herzegovina's national team and later pursued coaching after his playing career ended.
Almir Turković
1970 – PresentBosnian footballer and coach who played as a midfielder and later managed several clubs in the Balkans region.
Amel Tuka
1991 – PresentMiddle-distance runner who won bronze in the 800m at the 2015 World Championships and competed at multiple Olympics.
Alen Avdić
1977 – PresentFormer striker who played for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team and competed in various European professional leagues during his career.
Albin Pelak
1981 – PresentFormer midfielder who represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at international level and played professionally in European football leagues.
Edin Mujčin
1970 – PresentFormer midfielder who represented Bosnia and Herzegovina in their early international matches following independence and played professionally in European leagues.
Related Data
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the most famous football players from Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Edin Džeko and Miralem Pjanić are well-known Bosnian footballers. They have played for top European clubs and represented the national team. Ivica Osim is another notable figure, known as both a former player and a respected coach who managed several national teams.
What notable politicians came from Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Alija Izetbegović was the first President of Bosnia and Herzegovina during its independence period. Radovan Karadžić was a controversial political figure. Current leaders include Milorad Dodik and Bakir Izetbegović.
Are there any famous film directors from Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Jasmila Žbanić is an internationally recognized film director from Bosnia and Herzegovina, known for her works featured at major film festivals. The country has produced several filmmakers who have gained recognition in European cinema.