There are plenty famous Slovenians around the world and that includes the States. Keep reading to get to know Luka Doncic childhood or where is Melania Trump from. We’ll also tell you that Goran Dragic comes from Slovenia and where is Anze Kopitar from. But first, let me tell you a few words about beautiful Slovenia.
Slovenia might not be first, but it is the best 😉
Slovenia is a small country of no more than 2 million people. Unlike many tend to believe it is not a communist country, rather a well-respected EU member since 2004 and has euro as its currency since 2006. It was part of ex-Yugoslavia and truth to be told, got a bit lucky during independence war of 1991 – the war only lasted 10 days.
Since then Slovenia has come a long way – it is amongst top 10 safest countries in the world. More than 50 % of its territory is protected. You can get literary ski in the Alps and bath in Mediterranean Sea in the same day (if you’re lucky with timings that is). You can see Roman rests and mediaeval castles scattered all around.
Luka Doncic childhood
Luka Doncic is one of the first names of the NBA in the last 2 years. In the season 2018/18 he won NBA Rookie of the Year and continues to brake many records in this season as well. But you already knew that.
Before becoming one of the world’s most famous basketball players Luka Doncic spent his childhood in Slovenian capital of Ljubljana where he was born on the 28th of February 1999. He inherited his love for basketball and talent from his father Sasa Doncic, an ex-Slovenian basketball player and coach.
But his beauty definitely comes from Luka Doncic’s mom – another Slovenian – Mirjam Poterbin.
Luka moved to Madrid at the early age of 13 when he signed the contract with Real Madrid but stayed strongly connected to Slovenia. In 2017 he helped Slovenian team won Eurobasket championship title and was voted Eurobasket MVP.
Goran Dragic Slovenia
Similar to Luka Doncic, Goran Dragic was also born and raised in Slovenian capital – Ljubljana. He was born on the 6th of May 1986, only 5 years before the official Slovenian independency from Yugoslavia.
Like Luka, he’s also still strongly connected to Slovenia, winning Eurobasket championship title in 2017, but he’s also preparing yearly basketball camps for Slovenian youth.
He spent his childhood in a small apartment together with his parents and his brother – another Slovenian basketball player – Zoran Dragic. He started his basketball path in Basketball club Ilirija in Ljubljana and continued at the age of 15 in Spain.
Ljubljana is a town of dragons – there’s a famous dragon bridge, a story of a mythical creature and of course – Dragic the Dragon. Despite his nickname being very conveniently proper – It, in fact, comes from the difficulty of pronunciation of his last name.
Where is Melania Trump from?
Yes, you guessed correctly. The answer to the question where is Melania Trump from is – Slovenia. She was born on the 26th of April 1970. She grew up in a small town of Sevnica. The first part of her life was spent in a typical ex-Yugoslavian block of flats, but the family moved into a house very soon.
As a child she was quite, reserved and a really hardworking girl always drawn to the fashion. After primary school she enrolled into a secondary school for design and photography and continued to study architecture. She never finished her studies due to her modelling career lifting off.
Fun fact – did you know that in Slovenia the entire education process is free of charge?
Once in the United States Melania worked very hard to achieve her goals appearing as a model on the covers of Vogue Bulgaria, GQ, New York Magazine, Vanity Fair Italia, Allure, Harper’s Bazaar Bolgaria and InStyle Weddings. By the time she met Donald Trump she was already an accomplished women speaking no less than 6 languages – which is, truth to be told, not uncommon for Slovenians.
Where is Anze Kopitar from?
Anze Kopitar is yet another famous Slovenian in the States. He was born on the 24th of August in Slovenian town of Jesenice. His father was also a hockey player.
He is a former player and later selector in Slovenian ice hockey team. He started his career with Slovenian Acroni Jesenice and continued to win Stanley’s cup with LA Kings not only once, but twice, in the seasons 2011/12 and 2013/14.
Slovenians are a sport nation as you can see, but amongst the famous Slovenians in the States, Anze is the only winter sport person.
However, don’t be mistaken, Slovenia is, outside of the States, very well known for its achievements in the winter sport season.
Check below a longer list of famous Slovenians.
Winter holidays in Slovenia
So why do famous Slovenians want you to visit Slovenia?
Because it is amazing. With the itinerary we prepared for you, you will see the best Slovenia has to offer. Natural and cultural wanders. You’ll see where these amazing people came to be and where they love to return. You will be visiting the Slovenian Alps, the Slovenian Mediterranean Sea (only a good hour ride away from Venice) and enjoy in Slovenian food and wine that is a historical mixture of Italian, Austrian and Slavic influences. You’ll feel safe and welcomed. And get ready to smash all the taboos.
Other famous Slovenians
Slovenia has many more famous individuals that continue living in Slovenia. Many of them are athletes but you’ll find a number of renowned scholars amongst them as well (*):
- Jan Oblak – the most expensive goal keeper in the world playing for Spanish Atletico Madrid.
- Tina Maze is a champion on the skies. Before finishing her career she was the best skier in the world in the season 2013 winning FIS crystal globe with a world record score and some Olympic gold medals.
- Peter Prevc is the first ever person to successfully ski jump 250 m (820 ft) and he’s also the winner of the 2016 Ski Jumping World Cup.
- Davo Karnicar – the first person to make a complete ski descent from the Seven Summits, yes, from Mount Everst as well.
- Slavoj Zizek – renowned Slovenian philosopher.
- Laibach is a special Slovenian band, the first Western band to play in North Korea.
- Peter Florjancic is a professional invetor with over 400 patents.
- Martin Strel – the longest swim, which he set by swimming the entire length of the Amazon River, but he also swam the entire length of Mississippi river.
And there are many, many more famous Slovenians that you’ll get to know once you come and visit Slovenia!
In Slovenia you’ll find everything you want and everything you need.
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Ljubljana, Slovenia
Sevnica, Slovenia
Jesenice, Slovenia
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