Nikolai Todorov

Todorov was born in Varna^[1] and, as he noted himself, he was of Greek descent.^[2] Todorov was inspired to go into politics after the trial of Traycho Kostov, whom he had shared a prison cell with during World War II.^[3] After a distinguished academic career, which included a position at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, he joined the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He would later serve as the Bulgarian representative to UNESCO and the Bulgarian Ambassador to Greece (1978–1983). Following Bulgaria's departure from Communism, Todorov became Speaker of the National Assembly of Bulgaria, leading him to serve as acting president.

Todorov was married with three children. He is the father of Maria Todorova, the author of Imagining the Balkans (1997).^[1]