Maria Bakalova is a talented actress who has won the hearts of people all over the world. Starting from her small hometown in Bulgaria, she worked her way up to become a well-known Hollywood star. Her big break came with the film Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020), which brought her a lot of attention and praise. She received many award nominations and became famous very quickly. But behind the fame is a story of hard work, dedication, and love for acting.
Early Life & Background
Maria was born on June 4, 1996, in Burgas, Bulgaria, a beautiful city by the sea known for its rich culture. She grew up in a middle-class family. Her mother, Rumiana Bakalova, was a nurse, and her father, Valcho Bakalov, was a chemist. Their hard work and commitment to education inspired Maria to work hard too. As of 2025, she is 29 years old.
From a very young age, Maria loved the arts. She started taking singing lessons and playing the flute when she was just six years old. She also sang in a choir that performed around Europe. During her teenage years, she became very interested in books, reading works by famous writers like Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Gabriel García Márquez, and Jorge Luis Borges.
Education and Early Interests
When Maria was 12 years old, she discovered her passion for acting. She joined drama classes and later attended the National School of Arts in Burgas, where she studied acting and continued learning the flute. She was an excellent student, always performing well in school.
Later, Maria moved to Sofia to study at the Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts. There, she acted in many plays such as Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Sexual Perversity in Chicago, and The Trial. Her time at the academy helped her improve her acting skills and prepared her for a successful film career.
Maria Bakalova Wiki | BIO
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maria Valcheva Bakalova |
| Date of Birth | June 4, 1996 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 29 Years |
| Birthplace | Burgas, Bulgaria |
| Nationality | Bulgarian |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Height | 165 cm (5’5”) |
| Weight | 56 kg |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Education | National School of Arts, Burgas; Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts, Sofia |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 2015–present |
| Notable Works | Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Bodies Bodies Bodies, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 |
| Awards & Honors | Best Actress Award (Alternative Film Festival, 2018), Multiple Best Supporting Actress Awards (2020) |
| Boyfriend | Valeri Grigorov |
| Mother | Rumiana Bakalova |
| Net Worth | Approx. $15 million USD |
| @mariabakalovaofficial/ | |
| Wikipedia | @Maria_Bakalova |
Physical Attributes
Maria has a charming appearance that adds to her acting performances. She is 5’5” tall (165 cm) and weighs around 56 kg. With black eyes and black hair, she has a graceful and natural beauty that stands out.
More importantly, it’s her ability to transform into different characters and show deep emotions that make her special as an actress. She can play both sensitive and strong roles with ease.
Maria also takes good care of her health. She follows a regular workout plan that includes strength training, yoga, and dance. She eats healthy meals filled with proteins, vegetables, and drinks plenty of water to stay fit and energetic.
Career Beginnings
Maria started her acting career with a small role in the Bulgarian TV show Tipichno (2015), where she played a character named Maria. This early role gave her some experience working on set.
Her first major film role came in XIIa (2017), where she played Milena, a part that showed off her acting skills and helped her gain attention in Bulgaria’s film industry.
In 2018, Maria starred in Transgression, playing Yana, a young woman involved in a complicated relationship with an older rock musician. Her strong performance won her the Best Actress Award at the Alternative Film Festival in 2018. This success helped open more doors for her in the acting world.
Breakthrough Role
Maria’s career changed forever when she landed the role of Tutar Sagdiyev in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020). In the movie, she played the daughter of Sacha Baron Cohen’s famous character, Borat. Her fearless and funny performance was praised by critics and audiences everywhere.
She received several major award nominations, including:
- Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
- BAFTA Award
- Golden Globe Award
- Screen Actors Guild Award
Maria became the first Bulgarian actress ever to receive an Academy Award nomination, making history.
Thanks to the success of Borat, Maria got more opportunities in Hollywood. She went on to act in Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023), and has several exciting new projects coming up.