Ferdinand I of Bulgaria

Ferdinand I of Bulgaria was a prince and later king who played a key role in Bulgaria's independence movement. Born in 1861, he became the ruler of Bulgaria in 1887 after his father and declared Bulgaria’s independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1908, becoming its first monarch. Ferdinand helped modernize the country and led Bulgaria during significant conflicts, including the Balkan Wars and World War I. His reign saw Bulgaria seeking greater national strength and territorial expansion, though it also faced periods of political tension. He abdicated in 1918 in favor of his son and lived in exile until his death in 1948.