Age, Biography and Wiki

Maria Zheleva (Maria Ivanova Marinova) was born on 3 April, 1942 in Grozden, Bulgaria, is an A 20th-century bulgarian historian. Discover Maria Zheleva's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is she in this year and how she spends money? Also learn how she earned most of networth at the age of 71 years old?

Popular As Maria Ivanova Marinova
Occupation N/A
Age 71 years old
Zodiac Sign Aries
Born 3 April, 1942
Birthday 3 April
Birthplace Grozden, Bulgaria
Date of death 8 December, 2013
Died Place Sofia, Bulgaria
Nationality Bulgaria

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 3 April. She is a member of famous historian with the age 71 years old group.

Maria Zheleva Height, Weight & Measurements

At 71 years old, Maria Zheleva height not available right now. We will update Maria Zheleva's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
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Who Is Maria Zheleva's Husband?

Her husband is Zhelyu Zhelev (m. 1961)

Family
Parents Not Available
Husband Zhelyu Zhelev (m. 1961)
Sibling Not Available
Children 2

Maria Zheleva Net Worth

Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Maria Zheleva worth at the age of 71 years old? Maria Zheleva’s income source is mostly from being a successful historian. She is from Bulgaria. We have estimated Maria Zheleva's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income historian

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Timeline

1942

Maria Ivanova Marinova-Zheleva (Мария Иванова Маринова-Желева, 3 April 1942 – 8 December 2013), sometimes transliterated as Mariya Zheleva or Mariya Jeleva, was a Bulgarian historian, film editor, film director, and screenwriter who served as the First Lady of Bulgaria from 1990 until 1997.

Maria Zheleva was born on 3 April 1942 in Grozden, Burgas Province, Bulgaria.

She met her husband, Zhelyu Zhelev, in the Sofia University library, where both were students.

1961

The couple married in 1961 and had two daughters, Yordanka (1963–1993) and Stanka (born 1966).

1965

In 1965, Zhelyu Zhelev was fired from his job and expelled from the Bulgarian Communist Party.

As a result, the family moved to Maria Zheleva's home village of Grozden.

Zhelyu Zhelev wrote his most famous book, "The Fascism" (Фашизмът), while living in Grozden.

Maria Zheleva was partly responsible for the eventual publication of her husband's book.

Zhelev had offered the manuscript of "Fascisim" to several publishing houses, but had been rejected each time.

1978

However, In 1978, Maria Zheleva had a chance encounter with Professor Ivan Slavov at a tram stop near Sofia University.

Slavov had heard about Zhelev's writings and offered to eventually publish the book through the library and his Komsomol publishing company.

Zheleva was skeptical of Slavov's interest, but still provided him with a manuscript and placed him in touch with her husband.

1982

Zhelev and Slavov later met, which led to eventual publication of "The Fascism" in 1982.

The book was quickly banned by Bulgaria's communist government.

Zheleva was a historian by profession.

She spent much of her career as a film editor, film director, and screenwriter for Time (Време), a Bulgarian film studio in Boyana specializing in documentaries and science films.

1989

Zheleva was the wife of Zhelyu Zhelev, the first non-Communist President of Bulgaria following the fall of communism in 1989.

She remains the second longest serving first lady in Bulgaria's history.

1990

Maria Zheleva continued to work as a filmmaker across Bulgaria while simultaneously serving as First Lady inn the 1990s.

Maria Zheleva was initially reluctant to assume the role of first lady and president's wife once Zhelev became president in 1990.

Zheleva confessed that she lost sleep, as well as 15 kilograms, from worrying about her husband and their family.

However, she ultimately assumed the role through the transition to democracy, while continuing to pursue her own career in film.

1992

In a January 1992 interview, she stated that "I have no ambitions to be his advisor. Thank God, one less advisor to the president! When I talk to him, І want him to hear me, not [just] listen to me."

She described herself as a supporter of the president, but also his biggest critic, and noted that her husband became more organized after becoming president.

Though Zheleva avoided many of the ubiquitous cocktail parties and disliked being called "first lady", she appeared at the major events and meetings with world leaders required by the roles of president and first lady.

1995

In March 1995, First Lady Zheleva and a group of monks were caught making plum brandy by tax collectors while making a film at the Troyan Monastery.

The tax collectors had paid a surprise, unannounced inspection of the monastery while Zheleva was filming the documentary on the monk's famous brandy and plum tree groves.

The tax authorities were initially going to fine the monks for brewing unauthorized liquor, but Zheleva intervened and produced official documents which explained that the brandy-making was authorized due to the film.

2013

Maria Zheleva died from respiratory and heart failure in the intensive care unit of a Sofia hospital on 8 December 2013, at the age of 71.

Zheleva had suffered from lung disease for much of her life.

She was buried in her home village of Grozden on 10 December 2013.

2015

Her husband, former President Zhelyu Zhelev, died in 2015.