Albanians in the world

Albanians throughout history

Albanians have left their mark across the world – in music, art, sports, technology, and humanitarian work.

Rita Ora and Dua Lipa – global pop stars of Albanian descent. Rita Ora, born in Pristina, has sold over 7 million albums and had numerous hits such as “Anywhere” and “Let You Love Me.” Dua Lipa, whose parents are from Kosovo, has won 3 Grammy Awards and become one of the most streamed artists in the world, with hits like “Levitating” and “Don’t Start Now.”

Rita Ora – Born in Pristina and raised in London, Rita Ora is one of the most renowned artists of Albanian heritage. Through her success and public appearances, she often emphasizes pride in her Albanian roots, representing the spirit, strength, and energy of the new Albanian generation worldwide.

Dua Lipa – A global music star with roots in Kosovo, Dua Lipa proudly promotes Albanian identity and culture. Through her music and the Sunny Hill Foundation, she supports young talents from Kosovo and connects a new generation that believes in creativity, education, and the arts.

Ismail Kadare – the most renowned Albanian writer and recipient of the International Man Booker Prize in 2005. His novels, such as The General of the Dead Army and The Palace of Dreams, have been translated into over 40 languages. A candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature, he is considered one of the most important European writers of the 20th century.

Majlinda Kelmendi – the first Olympic champion from Kosovo in judo (Rio 2016). She won the gold medal in the 52 kg category and became a national heroine. Her victory marked a historic moment for Kosovo as an independent nation in Olympic sports.

Mira Murati – former CTO of OpenAI, who led the development of ChatGPT, DALL·E, and other revolutionary AI tools. Born in Vlorë, she became one of the most influential figures in artificial intelligence development. In 2025, she launched her own AI startup, Thinking Machines Lab.

Mother Teresa – saint and Nobel Peace Prize laureate (1979). Born as Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in Skopje to Albanian parents, she dedicated her life to working with the poorest in Calcutta. She was canonized in 2016 and became a global symbol of humanity and compassion.

In Croatia, Albanian athletes, artists, and public figures are also recognized, including: Ardian Kozniku, Kujtim Shala, Agron Preteni, Anita Berisha, Valter and Pavle Dešpalj, Rahim Ademi, and Agim Čeku.

Albanian influencers and digital ambassadors

Albanian culture today is not only present on stages, in books, or at events – it also thrives on social media. Young influencers and creators use digital platforms to promote the language, customs, music, and pride of the diaspora.

Our digital ambassadors spread Albanian culture through music, language, lifestyle, and the diaspora. Their work shows that identity is alive online.

On their profiles, tradition blends with modern content – and this is why we feature them here: so everyone can discover, follow, and support them. Through these profiles, we celebrate living culture – music, customs, nature, humor, the diaspora, and entrepreneurship.

Explore the ambassadors of Albanian culture

Leaders and institutions

Today, the Albanian identity is preserved not only by cultural projects and individuals on social media, but also by leaders, institutions, and global organizations that give our community a voice on the international stage.

Presidents, prime ministers, as well as diaspora organizations and intellectual initiatives, show that the Albanian story is global – from Pristina and Tirana, through Zagreb and Sisak, all the way to London and New York.

Here, we highlight some of the key figures and institutions that shape our future and bring pride to our people.

Explore the ambassadors of Albanian culture

Albanians in the world