20 Most Famous People from Slovakia

20 Most Famous People from Slovakia

*Originally published by Terryruth on October 2022 and Updated by Vanessa R in October 2023 and Updated by Vanessa R in May 2024

Tucked away somewhere in central Europe, the small, sleepy country of Slovakia is not one place that will casually pop up in your chai-time discussions or feature in your must-visit list unless a kith or kin recommends it to you.

 But dive into the pulsating biographies of famous Slovaks and you will start looking at this European country with renewed interest. That is right! Slovakia is more than the dramatic fortresses and craggy mountains that you would normally associate it with.

Delve deep into its gene pool and you will find its St. Apostle Altar (which is, by the way, the highest gothic altar in the world!) infinitesimal before its rich human resources. From supermodels to hockey players and from kings to explorers, the land has sheltered some exceptional people who have brought great glory to their homeland.

1. Peter Sagan is currently associated with Bora-Hansgrohe

Bora-Hansgrohe Reims.Photo by G.Garitan – Wikimedia Commons

Peter was born on 26^th January 1990 in   Žilina, Slovakia. Peter Sagan is a Slovak road bicycle racer. He is currently associated with Bora-Hansgrohe, a popular UCI World Team.

Widely regarded as one of cycling’s greatest talents, Peter Sagan has won several prestigious championships throughout his European Championship career. He has wonUCI Road World Championships and many other contests.

2. David Dobrik is one of the most-watched YouTube creators

David Dobrik judging on America’s Most Musical Family in 2019. Photo by America’s Most Musical Family – Wikimedia Commons

David Dobrik is one of the most-watched YouTube creators and co-founder of the photography app ‘Dispo’

. He was born on 23^rd July 1996 in Kosice, Slovakia. He is the archetypal boy next door: charming and witty, yet unassuming and affable.

Unlike his peers, who are preoccupied with embellishing their teen idol image with some ‘hunky brat’ aura (mastering their hallmark ‘Zoolander looks’ and pulling out all the stops in a bid to become modern sex symbols), Dobrik is content being who he is – a happy-go-lucky bloke with a great sense of humor and a sensible head on his shoulders.

 If you’re not familiar with the name, here is a brief foreword – 20-year-old David Dobrik is an internet star, a popular Viner/YouTuber with a fan following that exceeds a million, and a budding acting career that holds a lot of promises. Here is a sneak peek into the life and times of one of the most exciting young talents to emerge from the virtual world in recent years.

3. Marek Hamsik is a Slovak professional footballer

Marek Hamšík playing for Napoli in Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev. Photo by Илья Хохлов – Wikimedia Commons

Marek Hamsik is a Slovak professional footballer who plays as an Attacking Midfielder. He was born 0n 27^th July, 1987 in  Banská Bystrica.

 Marek Hamšík is a Slovak football player who has captained the Slovakia national team in important tournaments such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 UEFA European Football Championship. In 2018, Marek Hamšík became the most capped player for Slovakia and marked the occasion with his 22nd goal, becoming the second-highest goalscorer for his country.

4. Zuzana Caputova is the first woman to be elected as the President of Slovakia

Zuzana Čaputová. Photo by Jindřich Nosek (NoJin) – Wikimedia Commons

Zuzana Caputova is the first woman to be elected as the President of Slovakia. He was born on 21^st June 1973 in Bratislava, Slovakia. Zuzana Čaputová is a Slovak politician, environmental activist, and lawyer.

In 2019, Čaputová became the first woman to be elected as the President of Slovakia. She also became the youngest Slovak president of all time as she was 45 years old when she was elected. In 2020, Zuzana Čaputová was included in Forbes magazine’s World’s 100 Most Powerful Women list.

5. Marian Hossa is Slovak’s former professional Ice hockey right winger

Hossa played for the Thrashers in 2005. Photo by Brooke Novak – Wikimedia Commons

    Marian Hossa is Slovak’s former experienced Ice hockey right winger. He was born on 12^th January 1979 in Stará Ľubovňa, Slovakia.

Marián Hossa is a Slovak retired ice hockey player best known for winning the prestigious Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawksin 2010, 2013, and 2015. Marián Hossa, who accumulated 525 goals during his illustrious career, was made an inductee of the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020.

6. Alexander Dubcek was the first secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia 

Dubcek. paransin alkuperäistä kuvaa. Photo by OISV – Wikimedia Commons

Alexander Dubcek is a politician. He was born on 27^th November 1921 in Uhrovec. 

He was the first secretary of the Communist Party of C. Czechoslovakia, Alexander Dubček, was no stranger to politics as a child, being the son of a Communist Party member.

He resisted the Nazi occupation, while his liberal policies later led Soviet authorities to invade Czechoslovakia. He eventually died in a car crash. He died on 7^th November 1992.

7. Rory Sabbatini Sabbatini is a South African-Slovak golfer who won a silver medal for Slovakia

Rory Sabbatini putting during a practice round for the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines.
Rory_Sabbatini. Photo by Jeffrey Gordon – Wikimedia Commons

Rory Sabbatini was born on 2^nd April 1976 in Durban, South Africa. Rory Sabbatini is a South African Slovak golfer who won a silver medal for Slovakia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

He has also represented South Africa in several World Cups. Between 2000 and 2011, Sabbatini had six PGA Tour wins under his belt.

8. Adrian Karembeu is a Slovak model and former Guinness record holder for the longest legs among female models.

Adriana Karembeu aux NRJ Music Awards. Photo by Georges Biard – Wikimedia Commons

She was born on 17^th September 1971 in Brezno, Slovakia. Adriana Karembeu is a Slovak actress and fashion model. Karembeu, who achieved popularity by modeling for Victoria’s Secret, went on to establish herself as an actress, appearing in many TV series.

In 2009, she won the Vienna Fashion Award under the Style Icon category. She previously held the Guinness world record for having the longest legs for any female model.  

9. Lukáš Hrádecký is a Finnish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper

Lukáš Hrádecký, finnischer Fußballtorwart. Photo by Fuguito – Wikimedia Commons

Lukáš Hrádecký is a Finnish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. He was born on 24^th November 1989 in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. Lukáš Hrádecký is a Finnish football player who plays as a goalkeeper for the Finland national team and Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. 

Starting from 2016, Hrádecký has been adjudged Finnish Footballer of the Year for three years in a row. In 2020, Lukáš Hrádecký helped his national team qualify for the UEFA European Championship for the first time.

10. Marián Vajda is best known as the former head coach

Marián Vajda, picture taken during the 2010 Rogers Cup. Photo by Laslovarga – Wikimedia Commons

Marián Vajda is the former head coach of Novak Djokovic. He was born on 24^th March 1965 in Považská Bystrica, Slovakia. Marián Vajda is a Slovak tennis coach and former player.

 He is best known as the former head coach of the current world No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Vajda helped Djokovic win 20 Grand Slams and is deemed the most successful coach of all time. The Olympic Committee of Serbia honored Vajda with the best coach award in 2010 and 2011.

11. Martina Hingis

si.robi, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Martina Hingis, a professional tennis player from Switzerland, topped the world rankings for a total of 209 weeks. She won five Grand Slam singles championships. She also won a calendar-year doubles Grand Slam in 1998, nine Grand Slam titles in women’s doubles, and one in mixed doubles.

Hingis broke several “youngest-ever” tennis records at the age of 22 before having ligament problems in both of her ankles in 2002. Hingis returned to the WTA tour in 2006 after undergoing many surgeries and a lengthy recuperation. Later, she achieved three singles victories and became the sixth-ranked player in the world. Time listed her as one of the “30 Legends of Women’s History.”

12. Peter Sagan

Slovak-born professional road bike racer Peter Sagan competes for the Cannondale World Tour team. Sagan moved to road racing after a fantastic career in cyclo-cross and mountain biking as a young rider, where he won the junior World Championship in 2008.

With many victories in significant events throughout his early 20s, Sagan is among cycling’s most promising up-and-coming talents. Victories in ten stages, the overall classification, three stages, the Tour de Romandie, the Tour of California, the Tour de Suisse, and a record 10 stages all corroborate this perspective. At the Vuelta a España, he claimed three of his seven Grand Tour stage wins.

13. Zdeno Chára

Zdeno Chára, a professional ice hockey defenseman from Slovakia, is the captain of the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League. As a member of the Bruins in 2008–09, he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy. At six feet nine inches, he is the tallest player in NHL history. Additionally, he is the first captain to have been trained and born in Europe, and the second to have been born and nurtured outside of the Iron Curtain.

14. Jana Čepelová

si.robi, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Jana Čepelová is a tennis player from Slovakia. Ōepelová has won three doubles titles and four singles titles in her ITF Tour career. She peaked on June 17, 2013, at position 61 in the global singles rankings. On July 8, 2013, she reached her highest position of world number 186 in the doubles rankings.

Čepelová’s best tennis achievement to date is her win in the Australian Open (2010) girls’ doubles division alongside Chantal Kamlová when they ultimately overcame Tímea Babos and Gabriela Dabrowski. Čepelová made it to the third round of Wimbledon 2012 but lost in straight sets to Victoria Azarenka, the second seed. Čepelová made her Fed Cup debut against Serbia in the first round of the 2013 Fed Cup World Group match.

15. Francis II Rákóczi

Ádám Mányoki, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

As prince of the Estates Confederated for Liberty of the Kingdom of Hungary, Francis II Rákóczi was a Hungarian aristocrat who led the Hungarian rebellion against the Habsburgs in 1703–1711. He was the Prince of Transylvania, an Imperial Prince, and a member of the Order of the Golden Fleece. He is still considered a national hero in Hungary. It was Franciscus II.

Dei Gratia Sacri Romani Imperii & Transylvaniae princeps Rakoczi in full. In the following places: Patak, Tokaj, Regécz, Ecsed, Somlyó, Lednicze, Szerencs, Onod; Particum Regni Hungariae Comes & Dominus; Regni Hungariae Pro Libertate Confoederatorum Statuum necnon Munkacsiensis & Makoviczensis Dux; Perpetuus Comes de Saros [Dominus]. His name, František, has also historically been spelt Rákóczy, which is also known as II. Rákóczi Ferenc in Hungarian.

16. Andrej Kiska

One noteworthy example of a well-known Slovakian making a difference in politics is Andrej Kiska’s rise from businessman to president of the country. Transparency and social welfare were pushed throughout his leadership.

He focused on social concerns when governing. He actively interacted with the public. This strategy showed how Slovak politics had entered a new phase of greater civic responsibility and engagement.

17. Štefan Banič

See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A major contributor to aircraft safety is inventor Štefan Banič. Slovakian celebrities are known for their inventiveness, as demonstrated by his creation of the parachute prototype.

He saved many lives with his dedication to enhancing aviation safety. It also showed how innovative Slovaks can be on a worldwide scale.

18. Zuzana Čaputová

The first female president of Slovakia is Zuzana Čaputová. Her devotion to social and environmental issues has characterised her leadership. Her ability to combine pragmatism and compassion has had a significant impact on Slovak society.

Her deeds show how prominent individuals in Slovakia can effect significant change. She is becoming more and more known for her leadership because of her dedication to progressive principles and desire for meaningful, constructive change.

19. Milan Rastislav Štefánik

The scientific accomplishments, military service, and diplomatic abilities of Milan Rastislav Štefánik have left a lasting legacy. His ability to negotiate the complicated political terrain of a Europe torn apart by conflict was crucial in securing international support for the establishment of Czechoslovakia.

The eventual recognition and founding of the new country in 1918 were greatly aided by his capacity to build alliances and comprehend the complexities of international politics.

20. Pavol Demitra

Pavol Demitra, an ice hockey player best known for his NHL career, is regarded as one of Slovakia’s most well-known athletes. Being a player in the very competitive professional hockey league, he stood out for his remarkable skill on the ice, which was defined by his agility, precision, and scoring prowess.

Among his many remarkable achievements were several All-Star selections. He was a powerful presence on the ice because of his remarkable hand-eye coordination, playmaking abilities, and ability to understand the game. In addition, he competed for Slovakia in several international competitions, such as the Olympics and World Championships.