Maria Ivanova Marinova-Zheleva, 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.
16 Facts About Maria Zheleva
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Maria Zheleva remains the second longest serving first lady in Bulgaria's history.
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Maria Zheleva was born on 3 April 1942 in Grozden, Burgas Province, Bulgaria.
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Maria Zheleva met her husband, Zhelyu Zhelev, in the Sofia University library, where both were students.
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Maria Zheleva was partly responsible for the eventual publication of her husband's book.
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However, In 1978, Maria Zheleva had a chance encounter with Professor Ivan Slavov at a tram stop near Sofia University.
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Maria Zheleva was skeptical of Slavov's interest, but still provided him with a manuscript and placed him in touch with her husband.
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Zhelyu Zhelev 8.
Maria Zheleva spent much of her career as a film editor, film director, and screenwriter for Time, a Bulgarian film studio in Boyana specializing in documentaries and science films.
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Maria Zheleva continued to work as a filmmaker across Bulgaria while simultaneously serving as First Lady inn the 1990s.
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The tax collectors had paid a surprise, unannounced inspection of the monastery while Maria Zheleva was filming the documentary on the monk's famous brandy and plum tree groves.
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The tax authorities were initially going to fine the monks for brewing unauthorized liquor, but Maria Zheleva intervened and produced official documents which explained that the brandy-making was authorized due to the film.
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Maria Zheleva was initially reluctant to assume the role of first lady and president's wife once Zhelev became president in 1990.
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Maria Zheleva confessed that she lost sleep, as well as 15 kilograms, from worrying about her husband and their family.
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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.
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Maria Zheleva had suffered from lung disease for much of her life.
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Maria Zheleva was buried in her home village of Grozden on 10 December 2013.