Famous People Born In Ljubljana

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.

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. 

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. 

Slovenian–American actor Željko Ivanek is best known for his Emmy-winning performance as Ray Fiske in the thriller series Damages. He has also appeared as Ed Danvers in the Homicide franchise and as Russell Jackson in Madam Secretary, and has been part of films such as Argo and Seven Psychopaths.

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.

Kaja Juvan is a Slovenian tennis player who has won seven ITF singles titles so far. Kaja Juvan turned professional when she was barely 16 and won her first WTA Tour doubles title at the age of 20. She also competes in major tournaments like Grand Slams and the Billie Jean King Cup.

Popular Slovenian author Jela Krečič has penned columns for Delo, Slovenia’s largest newspaper. Known for her research on films, TV, and aesthetics, she soared to fame with her books The Book of Others and None Like Her. She also made headlines for her 2013 exclusive interview with Julian Assange.

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.

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.

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.

Slovenian tennis player and naturalized Briton since 2015, Aljaž Bedene began his career in his birth country before moving to England in 2008. He represented Great Britain in the Davis Cup from 2015 to 2017. However from 2018, barred from representing Great Britain due to technical reasons, he started representing Slovenia in Davis Cup once more.  

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. 

Ana Gros is a Slovenian professional handball player who has been an important player for the Slovenian national team since 2007. Over the years, Ana Gros has won many prestigious tournaments like the Slovenian Championship title, Slovenian Cup, and French Championship title. 

Jaka Lakovič is a Slovenian former basketball player who won four Greek League championship titles, three Spanish Cups, and two Spanish League titles among other important tournaments. He also represented the Slovenia national team at seven consecutive EuroBaskets starting from 2001. Jaka Lakovič is currently serving as the head coach for Ratiopharm Ulm of the Basketball Bundesliga.

Gašper Vidmar is a Slovenian former basketball player who was part of the national team that won the 2017 EuroBasket in Turkey. Vidmar is also a four-time Turkish League champion and two-time Turkish Cup winner. He has also won other important tournaments like the Turkish President's Cup, Slovenian Supercup, and Slovenian Basketball Cup. 

Erazem Lorbek is a Slovenian retired basketball player best known for winning the EuroLeague title in 2010 while representing FC Barcelona. Lorbek also played an important role as a member of the national team; he led the team at the 2009 EuroBasket where Slovenia finished fourth. Lorbek also won three Spanish League titles among other championships during his playing career.

Slovenian basketball sensation Rasho Nesterović began his senior career with the Serbian club Partizan and later had a successful NBA career, playing with teams such as the San Antonio Spurs and the Toronto Raptors. While playing for the Greek club PAOK, he changed his name to Radoslav "Rasho" Makris.

Timi Zajc is a Slovenian ski jumper who achieved international prominence in 2022 when he won a gold and silver medal at the Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. In the same year, Timi Zajc also won a gold and silver medal at the FIS Ski Flying World Championships in Vikersund, Norway.

Slovenian-Serbian actor Stevo Žigon soared to fame with series such as Otpisani and often played German officers because of his knowledge of German. He was imprisoned in Dachau during World War II. He was also a talented playwright and was inspired by poets such as Igo Gruden.

Slovenian basketball player Žan Mark Šiško is best known for his association with Bayern Munich. The 6’3” point guard is not just a 2-time Slovenian Supercup winner but has also been an ABA League Second Division champion. He has also represented teams such as Koper Primorska and Cibona.

Nobel Prize-winning Slovenian-Austrian chemist conducted path-breaking research on the microanalysis of organic compounds. He modified the combustion train method of elemental analysis. He was associated with the Medico-Chemical Institute for most of his career and had also worked at the universities of Graz and Innsbruck.

Zlatan Ljubijankič is a Slovenian former football player who played for the national team between 2006 and 2015. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he scored one of the three goals scored by Slovenia and helped his team settle for a draw against the United States. Zlatan Ljubijankič is currently working as the head coach of the club, ND Slovan.

Primož Peterka is a Slovenian retired ski jumper who won 15 individual World Cup competitions, a Ski Flying World Cup title, two successive overall World Cup titles, and the Four Hills Tournament. Primož Peterka also won bronze medals at the 2002 Olympic Games and 2005 World Championships. Peterka is considered one of the most successful Slovenian athletes of all time.

Slovenian basketball player Luka Rupnik is best known as a point guard for Semt77 Yalovaspor. He has also had a stint with the Belgian club Antwerp Giants and has won the Belgian Cup. The 6’1” sports star has also represented Czech, Turkish, and Spanish clubs.

Robert Kranjec is a Slovenian retired ski jumper best known for winning a bronze medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics. He also won a bronze at the 2011 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships and an individual gold medal at the 2012 FIS Ski Flying World Championships.

Petra Majdič is a Slovenian retired cross-country skier best known for winning the bronze medal in the women's sprint cross-country skiing event at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada. She has also won a silver and bronze at the 2007 and 2011 World Championships, respectively. Petra Majdič is the fourth-most successful FIS Cross-Country World Cup participant of all time.

Milan Vidmar soared to fame as one of the finest chess players of the world. One of the first chess Grandmasters, he also taught at the University of Ljubljana and was known as a talented academician and engineer who established the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Slovene Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Miroslav Cerar is a Yugoslav former gymnast best known for winning a gold medal each at the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Games. He also won four World Championship gold medals and nine European Championship gold medals. Miroslav Cerar was made an inductee of the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame and Slovenian Athletes Hall of Fame in 1999 and 2011 respectively.

Anamarija Lampič is a Slovenian competitive cross-country skier who made her Olympic debut in 2018. After winning a silver medal at the 2019 World Championships in Seefeld, Lampič went on to win two bronze medals at the 2021 World Championships in Oberstdorf. In May 2022, Anamarija Lampič announced that she is focusing on becoming a biathlete.

Jan Tratnik is a Slovenian professional road racing cyclist best known for winning the gold medal at the 2012 European Road Championships in Goes, Netherlands. A three-time Slovenian National Time Trial Champion, Jan Tratnik also won the National Road Race Championship title in 2016. He currently rides for Team Bahrain Victorious.

Žan Kranjec is a Slovenian alpine ski racer who competes mainly in the technical events of slalom and giant slalom. Žan Kranjec achieved international recognition in 2022 when he won a silver medal at the Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.