Top 100 Albanian Women – International Women's Day 2026
- Dua Lipa ranks first with 88.7 million Instagram followers, 11.2 million on TikTok, and 14 million Google searches.
- The top four positions are held by global pop artists of Albanian origin: Dua Lipa, Bebe Rexha, Rita Ora, and Ava Max.
- Among the top 10 are also featured: Terezë (No. 5), Era Istrefi (No. 6), Mira Murati (No. 7), Loredana Zefi, Eliza Dushku, and entrepreneur Krissy Cela. Further down, we find the Olympic champions Majlinda Kelmendi and Distria Krasniqi, and designer Nensi Dojaka.
International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8. On this occasion, dua.com we surveyed over 500 Albanian women from around the world, analyzing Google searches, Instagram and TikTok followers, as well as international achievements. From this, the following were selected 100 most successful Albanian women for the year 2026.
Albanian women are present in every field—from Grammy and Nobel prizes to Olympic medals, Cannes festivals, and roles in Hollywood. From both the diaspora and their homeland, they represent Kosovo and Albania on the world stage.
The following is a ranking of the 100 most successful Albanian women by category.
Dua Lipa is the first in this category and in the entire list - Grammy-winning artist with over 88 million Instagram followers. After her: Bebe Rexha, Rita Ora and Ava Max, the latest with the hit "Sweet but Psycho" which reached #1 in 22 states.
Loredana Zefi has built strong careers in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany, while Era Istrefi sangly performed the FIFA World Cup 2018 anthem. From the classic version, Ermonela Jaho was named by The Economist as "the most admired soprano in the world," and Inva Mula gives voice to Diva in the film "The Fifth Element".
Eliza Dushku She leads the category — known for her roles in 'Buffy' and 'Dollhouse' — ranking #9 on the overall list. Masiela Lusha The second, known as Carmen in 'George Lopez'. Arta Dobroshi She has represented Albanian cinema at Cannes and other festivals.
Blerta Basholli Won three awards at Sundance with the film 'Hive', while Yllka Gashi Stood out in the film 'Hive' (three Sundance awards, Oscar shortlisted). From the Albanian screen, Alketa Vejsiu and Arbana Osmani She remains among the most recognized presenters.
Kosovare Asllani Ranking first in this category — with 205 appearances for the Swedish national team, she is the most internationally recognized Albanian athlete. Majlinda Kelmendi Won Kosovo's first Olympic medal in 2016, Distria Krasniqi earned a bronze medal in 2020 and silver in 2024, meanwhile, Nora Gjakova added another gold medal. Lara ColturiA 18-year-old athlete, she is rapidly rising in the global rankings. Laura Fazliu Won the bronze Olympic medal in Paris 2024.
Mother Theresa, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, ranked #5 in the overall list. Vjosa Osmani, President of Kosovo, and former president Atifete Jahjaga open the way for a new generation of female leaders. From history, Mbretëresha Teuta remains a symbol of Illyrian resistance against Rome. Vlora Çitaku and Donika Gërvalla represent the Albanian diplomatic voice on the international stage.
Nensi Dojaka, winner of the LVMH Prize 2021, ranked first in the Fashion & Modeling category. Teuta Matoshi became viral with her own style, while Emina Cunmulaj has modeled for Vogue and Elle, and serves as Consultant for Albania in Florida. Angela Martini represented Albania at Miss Universe 2010 Almeda Abazi has gained fame as a model and actress in Turkey, and Rina Lipa is building her career as an international model.
Melimtx dominates this category with 3.1 million followers on TikTok, especially renowned in German-speaking countries. Brisida has 2.3 million on TikTok, while Luana Vjollca remains one of the most recognized figures on the Albanian screen. Eva Murati, a UEFA Champions League presenter Ori Nebijaj, Valeria Aliti and Eni Koçi are also featured on the list.
Mira Murati, former CTO of OpenAI, ranks #7 in the overall list. Krissy Cela, featured on Forbes 30 Under 30, has disrupted the fitness business EvolveYou with over $34 million in revenue. Lea Ypi, professor at LSE, wrote the book "Free" which was translated into over 30 languages. Laura Mersini-Houghton is known for her theories on the multiverse, while Luljeta Lleshanaku is one of the most read Albanian writers abroad.
From 300 million data points and over 500 initial nominations, they were selected 100 women Albanian women with the highest public presence worldwide, divided by 15+ categories. Based on the ranking, searches were conducted on Google, followers on Instagram, and followers on TikTok. Additionally, a separate evaluation was also conducted Ambassador based on fees, titles, records, and international representation.
The ambassador evaluation ensures that historical, scientific, and sports figures are recognized on social media based on their achievements. The data was analyzed by the dua.com team in March 2026.
| # | Name | Category | TikTok | Key Achievement | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Dua Lipa | Music | 🇽🇰 🇬🇧 | 89M | 11M | 49M | 3x Grammy-winning, 7x BRIT Awards, global pop icon, face of Versace/YSL/Puma |
| 🥈 | Bebe Rexha | Music | 🇦🇱 🇺🇸 | 12M | 9M | 4M | 3x Grammy-nominated, 'Meant to Be' 8x Platinum, wrote songs for Eminem and Rihanna |
| 🥉 | Rita Ora | Music | 🇽🇰 🇬🇧 | 16M | 3M | 7M | 4 #1 singles in UK, judge on The Voice UK and Masked Singer, UNICEF ambassador |
| 4 | Ava Max | Music | 🇦🇱 🇺🇸 | 3M | 3M | 5M | “Sweet but Psycho” reached #1 in 22 countries, surpassed 1B YouTube views, released by Atlantic Records |
| 5 | Mother Teresa | Historical | 🇦🇱 🇮🇳 | — | — | 7M | 1979 Nobel Peace Prize, canonized by Pope Francis in 2016, founded the Missionaries of Charity |
| 6 | Era Istrefi | Music | 🇽🇰 | 1M | 2M | 397K | "BonBon" global hit with over 900 million views, performed at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia |
| 7 | Mira Murati | Business | 🇦🇱 | — | — | 2M | Former CTO of OpenAI (until September 2024), led the development of ChatGPT and DALL-E, a key figure in global AI |
| 8 | Loredana Zefi | Music | 🇽🇰 🇨🇭 | 3M | 2M | 217K | Album “King Lori” reached the Top 3 in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland; the best-known Albanian rapper in German-speaking countries |
| 9 | Eliza Dushku | Acting | 🇦🇱 🇺🇸 | 748K | 50K | 5M | Buffy, Dollhouse, producer at Netflix, over 30 films and television series |
| 10 | Krissy Cela | Business | 🇦🇱 🇬🇧 | 3M | 1M | 217K | Forbes 30 Under 30, founder of EvolveYou & Oner Active ($34M+ in revenue) |
| 11 | Kosovare Asllani | Sport | 🇽🇰 🇸🇪 | 341K | 59K | 486K | Over 200 matches for Sweden, 2016 Olympic silver medal, bronze medal at the 2023 World Cup |
| 12 | Majlinda Kelmendi | Sport | 🇽🇰 | 1K | — | 23K | First woman to win an Olympic gold medal for Kosovo (Rio 2016), 2x World Champion, 4x European Champion |
| 13 | Distria Krasniqi | Sport | 🇽🇰 | 14K | — | 16K | Olympic gold medalist (Tokyo 2020) and silver medalist (Paris 2024), world #1, 3x European Champion |
| 14 | Nensi Dojaka | Fashion | 🇦🇱 🇬🇧 | 391K | — | 79K | Winner of the LVMH Prize 2021, graduated from Central Saint Martins, top fashion designer |
| 15 | Ermonela Jaho | Music | 🇦🇱 | 37K | — | 79K | ‘The most admired soprano in the world’ (The Economist), regularly performs at the Royal Opera House |
| 16 | Eleni Foureira | Music | 🇦🇱 🇬🇷 | 1M | 499K | 178K | ‘Fuego’ Eurovision 2018 (2nd place), over 1 billion views on YouTube |
| 17 | Masiela Lusha | Acting | 🇦🇱 🇺🇸 | 116K | 50K | 2M | Role of Carmen in the ABC series ‘George Lopez’, 2x Young Artist Awards, author of four books |
| 18 | Inva Mula | Music | 🇦🇱 | 15K | — | 97K | Voice of Diva Plavalaguna in ‘The Fifth Element’, soprano at La Scala, Met Opera, and Royal Opera House |
| 19 | Luiza Gega | Sport | 🇦🇱 | 24K | — | 16K | 2022 European Champion, gold medalist at the 2023 European Games, Albania’s first Olympic finalist |
| 20 | Vjosa Osmani | Politics | 🇽🇰 | 209K | — | 217K | Current President of Kosovo since 2021, the most voted woman in Kosovo's history |
| 21 | Nora Gjakova | Sport | 🇽🇰 | 1K | — | 5K | Olympic gold medalist at Tokyo 2020 (57 kg), multiple European judo medalist |
| 22 | Lara Colturi | Sport | 🇦🇱 🇮🇹 | 124K | 22K | 594K | Flagbearer for Albania at the 2026 Winter Olympics, competitor in the FIS World Cup |
| 23 | Teuta Matoshi | Fashion | 🇽🇰 | 2M | 161K | 325K | Top designer from Kosovo; her collections went viral on social media |
| 24 | Atifete Jahjaga | Politics | 🇽🇰 | 31K | — | 53K | First female president of Kosovo (2011–2016), the youngest head of state in the world at that time |
| 25 | Lea Ypi | Literature | 🇦🇱 🇬🇧 | 45K | — | 325K | “Free” translated into more than 30 languages, Professor of Political Theory at LSE |
| 26 | Elhaida Dani | Music | 🇦🇱 🇫🇷 | 152K | 5K | 43K | Winner of The Voice of Italy 2013, representative of Albania at Eurovision 2015 |
| 27 | Bleona Qereti | Music | 🇦🇱 🇺🇸 | 650K | 21K | 79K | #1 on Billboard Dance chart, 8 albums, appeared in films starring Nicolas Cage and John Travolta |
| 28 | Angela Martini | Fashion | 🇦🇱 🇨🇭 | 554K | 32K | 53K | Miss Universe Albania 2010, 6th place finisher at Miss Universe 2010, featured in Sports Illustrated |
| 29 | Emina Cunmulaj | Fashion | 🇦🇱 🇺🇸 | 390K | 29K | 79K | Featured on the covers of Vogue, Elle, and Marie Claire; Honorary Consul of Albania in Florida |
| 30 | Rina Lipa | Fashion | 🇦🇱 🇬🇧 | 951K | 28K | 1M | Model for Versace and Miu Miu, participant in Milan Fashion Week |
| 31 | Besa Kokëdhima | Music | 🇦🇱 | 446K | 930K | 6K | Eurovision 2024 'Titan', judge for Voice of Albania since 2017 |
| 32 | Almeda Abazi | Fashion | 🇦🇱 | 659K | — | 266K | Miss Albania 2008, Miss Globe 2008, actress in the Turkish series “The Magnificent Century” |
| 33 | Dhurata Dora | Music | 🇽🇰 🇩🇪 | 3M | 610K | 486K | “Zemër” with Soolking (#1 and Platinum in four countries), one of Europe’s best-known Albanian singers |
| 34 | Melimtx | Influencer | 🇦🇱 🇧🇦 | 5M | 3M | 3M | 3.1 million followers on TikTok, one of the most successful Albanian influencers |
| 35 | Yllka Gashi | Acting | 🇽🇰 🇺🇸 | 63K | — | 11K | Actress in “Hive” (three Sundance awards, Oscar shortlist) and the series “Familja Moderne” |
| 36 | Kida | Music | 🇽🇰 | 2M | 332K | 726K | Sony Music France, Albanian singer with record views on YouTube |
| 37 | Vildane Zeneli | Fashion | 🇽🇰 🇺🇸 | 730K | — | 6K | Victoria's Secret Angel, Miss Diaspora 2009, modeled for Roberto Cavalli and Vera Wang |
| 38 | Laura Mersini-Houghton | Science | 🇦🇱 🇺🇸 | — | — | 9K | Professor at UNC, pioneer of the multiverse hypothesis, featured in BBC, PBS, and Discovery documentaries |
| 39 | Luàna Bajrami | Film & Theatre | 🇽🇰 🇫🇷 | 11K | — | 79K | Actress in “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (Cannes 2019), director of “The Fourth Wall” |
| 40 | Aferdita Dreshaj | Fashion | 🇽🇰 🇺🇸 | 310K | 32K | 65K | First Miss Universe Kosovo (2011), Top 11 at Miss Universe, singer and model |
| 41 | Ronela Hajati | Music | 🇦🇱 | 855K | 233K | 65K | Albanian representative at Eurovision 2022 with 'Sekret', winner of the Festivali i Këngës |
| 42 | Blerta Basholli | Film & Theatre | 🇽🇰 | 6K | — | 3K | Director of 'Hive' (2021), won three awards at Sundance, shortlisted for an Oscar |
| 43 | Anna Oxa | Music | 🇦🇱 🇮🇹 | — | — | 1M | 2x Sanremo Music Festival winner (1989 and 1999), Eurovision 1989 participant, 17 albums |
| 44 | Mirela Manjani | Sport | 🇦🇱 🇬🇷 | — | — | 2K | 2x World Champion in javelin, Olympic silver (2000) and bronze (2004) medalist for Greece |
| 45 | Anxhela Peristeri | Music | 🇦🇱 | 616K | 75K | 35K | Albanian representative at Eurovision 2021 with 'Karma', winner of the Festivali i Këngës |
| 46 | Arilena Ara | Music | 🇦🇱 | 2M | 21K | 65K | Winner of X Factor Albania 2013, represented Albania at Eurovision 2020, judge on Voice |
| 47 | Arta Dobroshi | Acting | 🇽🇰 | — | — | 53K | First Kosovar actress at Cannes, Berlin, and Sundance; UN Goodwill Ambassador |
| 48 | Laura Fazliu | Sport | 🇽🇰 | — | — | 3K | Kosovar judoka, Olympic bronze medalist at Paris 2024 |
| 49 | Detina Zalli | Science | 🇦🇱 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 | — | — | 1K | Postdoctoral researcher at Harvard, Director of Pre-Medical Studies at Cambridge, NASA STAR Fellow |
| 50 | Elvana Gjata | Music | 🇦🇱 | 2M | 285K | 266K | “Diva of Albanian music,” filled Air Albania Stadium with 25,000 spectators, Eurovision representative |
| 51 | Vlora Çitaku | Politics | 🇽🇰 | 29K | — | 16K | Kosovo’s ambassador to the United States (2015–2021), former Deputy Foreign Minister, war correspondent |
| 52 | Rona Nishliu | Music | 🇽🇰 | 19K | — | 11K | Eurovision 2012 (5th place), avant-garde artist, renowned performance 'Suus' |
| 53 | Tayna | Music | 🇽🇰 | 2M | 560K | 325K | Kosovar rapper and singer, known for the hit “Si Ai,” founder of the Tayna Foundation |
| 54 | Aurela Gaçe | Music | 🇦🇱 | 568K | 83K | 119K | Represented Albania at Eurovision 2011, winner of numerous prizes at the Festivali i Këngës |
| 55 | Majlinda Bregu | Politics | 🇦🇱 | 88K | — | 23K | Former General Secretary of RCC (2019–2024), former Minister of European Integration |
| 56 | Iris Elezi | Film & Theatre | 🇦🇱 | 4K | — | 2K | Founded the Albanian Film Archive; “BOTA” won 18 international awards and was submitted for an Oscar |
| 57 | Dafina Zeqiri | Music | 🇽🇰 | 2M | 560K | 325K | Albanian-Kosovar singer and artist, numerous viral hits, pioneer of fashion and music |
| 58 | Suela Janina | Politics | 🇦🇱 | — | — | 2K | Permanent Representative to the UN (2024–present), former Ambassador to the EU |
| 59 | Brisida | Influencer | 🇦🇱 | 753K | 2M | 23K | 2.5M+ followers on TikTok, one of the most recognized Albanian creators in digital content |
| 60 | Anjeza Shahini | Music | 🇦🇱 | 38K | — | 16K | First Albanian at Eurovision (Istanbul 2004), achieved 7th place with 106 points |
| 61 | Juliana Pasha | Music | 🇦🇱 | 116K | 18K | 16K | Represented Albania at Eurovision 2010 in Oslo, pop singer with a 20-year career |
| 62 | Jori Delli | Fashion | 🇦🇱 | 560K | 416K | 53K | Albanian-Italian model, well-known personality in reality TV |
| 63 | Klodiana Shala | Sport | 🇦🇱 | 32K | — | 9K | 4x Olympic runner, Albania’s flag bearer at Athens 2004, national record holder |
| 64 | Elina Duni | Music | 🇦🇱 🇨🇭 | 13K | — | 16K | Swiss-Albanian vocalist, artist with ECM Records, performed at international festivals |
| 65 | Donika Gërvalla | Politics | 🇽🇰 | 5K | — | 840 | Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice of Kosovo, former Foreign Minister, former journalist |
| 66 | Antoneta Kastrati | Film & Theatre | 🇽🇰 🇺🇸 | 2K | — | 840 | Director of 'Zana' (2019), premiered at the International Film Festival in Toronto (TIFF) |
| 67 | Eneda Tarifa | Music | 🇦🇱 | 683K | 12K | 29K | Eurovision 2016 with the song 'Fairytale', winner of the Song Festival |
| 68 | Adelina Ismaili | Music | 🇽🇰 | 193K | 14K | 97K | Albanian-Kosovar singer with over 20 years of career, known hits including 'Mos m'prek' and 'Luj luj' |
| 69 | Besiana Kadare | Politics | 🇦🇱 🇺🇸 | — | — | 11K | Albania’s first female ambassador to the UN (2016–2021), Permanent Representative to UNESCO |
| 70 | Olta Boka | Music | 🇦🇱 | 116K | — | 9K | Participant in Eurovision 2008, just 16 years old, one of the youngest ever in Eurovision history |
| 71 | Anilda Ibrahimi | Literature | 🇦🇱 🇮🇹 | 9K | — | 3K | Winner of the Rapallo literary prize, writes in Italian, author of several well-known novels |
| 72 | Shkurte Fejza | Music | 🇽🇰 | 30K | 32K | 53K | Famous Kosovo folk singer, most recognized voice in Kosovo's popular music, with a 40-year career |
| 73 | Valeria Aliti | Influencer | 🇦🇱 | 42K | 2M | 600 | 1.7 million followers on TikTok, one of the most followed Albanian influencers in the Balkans |
| 74 | Luljeta Lleshanaku | Literature | 🇦🇱 | — | — | 3K | European Poet of Liberty 2022, Poet Laureate of Albania (2023–2025) |
| 75 | Mbretëresha Teuta | Historical | 🇦🇱 | — | — | 1K | Illyrian queen of the Ardiaean Kingdom, challenged Rome, Albanian national symbol |
| 76 | Oriola Marashi | Fashion | 🇦🇱 | 821K | 32K | 145K | Model for Guess, Givenchy, and Dolce & Gabbana |
| 77 | Ledina Çelo | Music | 🇦🇱 🇩🇪 | 1M | — | 9K | Representative of Albania at Eurovision 2005, pop singer with a career spanning over 20 years |
| 78 | Hersi Matmuja | Music | 🇦🇱 | 6K | — | 2K | Albania's representative at Eurovision 2014 with 'One Night's Anger' |
| 79 | Elsidita Selaj | Sport | 🇦🇱 | 10K | — | 120 | First female boxer from Albania, bronze medalist at the European Championship 2019 |
| 80 | Nexhmije Pagarusha | Music | 🇽🇰 | — | — | 23K | “The Nightingale of Kosovo,” a national cultural icon and pioneering female artist |
| 81 | Rashel Kolaneci | Influencer | 🇦🇱 | 1M | 2M | 726K | Kickboxing champion, presenter of 'Xing me Ermalin', actress in 'Falco' |
| 82 | Norika Sefa | Film & Theatre | 🇽🇰 | — | — | 840 | Director of the film 'Looking for Venera' (2021), premiered at the International Film Festival in Rotterdam |
| 83 | Elvira Dones | Literature | 🇦🇱 🇺🇸 🇨🇭 | — | — | 9K | 7 novels, 'Sworn Virgin' adapted into a film (2015), left Albania in 1988 |
| 84 | Vaçe Zela | Music | 🇦🇱 | — | — | 6K | Winner of the Festival of Songs 1962, awarded 'Artist of Merit' (1973) and 'People's Artist' (1977) |
| 85 | Zanfina Ismajli | Music | 🇽🇰 | 800K | — | 11K | Popular Kosovar pop singer, one of the most recognized artists in Kosovo's popular music scene |
| 86 | Helena Kadare | Literature | 🇦🇱 🇫🇷 | — | — | 9K | First novel published by a woman in Albania (1970), writer and journalist |
| 87 | Eva Murati | Influencer | 🇦🇱 | 2M | 256K | 1M | Presenter of UEFA Champions League and Miss Universe Albania, graduate in law |
| 88 | Ori Nebijaj | Influencer | 🇦🇱 | 192K | 1M | 1K | Influencer in fashion, collaborating with brands such as Guess and Calzedonia |
| 89 | Enca | Music | 🇦🇱 | 2M | 246K | 594K | Among the most followed female artists in Albania, the hit 'A po t'pëlqen' |
| 90 | Luana Vjollca | Influencer | 🇦🇱 | 2M | 271K | 266K | Host of “Love Island Albania,” anti-bullying advocate, presenter on Top Channel |
| 91 | Eni Koçi | Influencer | 🇦🇱 | 718K | 750K | 1K | Albanian pop singer and well-known beauty and lifestyle influencer |
| 92 | Xhensila Myrtezaj | Music | 🇦🇱 | 1M | 255K | 325K | Albanian singer and actress, participant in the Festivali i Këngës |
| 93 | Armina Mevlani | Influencer | 🇦🇱 | 2M | 40K | 16K | Influencer and model, TV presenter, entrepreneur in the beauty industry |
| 94 | Arbana Osmani | TV | 🇦🇱 | 1M | 96K | 145K | Presenter on Top Channel (“Big Brother Albania,” “E Diell”), author and television host |
| 95 | Marina Vjollca | TV / Influencer | 🇦🇱 | 2M | 40K | 53K | TV presenter and fashion influencer, host on Top Channel |
| 96 | Alketa Vejsiu | TV | 🇦🇱 | 1M | 107K | 97K | Presenter at Sanremo 2020, moderator of the Festivali i Këngës, television producer |
| 97 | Nora Istrefi | Music | 🇽🇰 | 1M | 65K | 79K | Kosovo pop singer, numerous hits across the Balkans, collaborations with regional artists |
| 98 | Kiara Tito | Influencer | 🇦🇱 | 864K | 104K | 97K | TV presenter, actress and model, known for her role in Albanian series |
| 99 | Rozana Radi | Music | 🇦🇱 | 484K | 58K | 178K | Albanian singer and actress, career spanning over 25 years in music and film |
| 100 | Belinda Balluku | Politics | 🇦🇱 | 64K | 6K | 325K | Former Deputy Prime Minister of Albania and Minister of Infrastructure (until February 2026), successful politician |