Leaders and politicians
Vakhtang I of Iberia, Vakhtang Gorgasali, King of Iberia from 447/449 to 502/522David the Builder (1073–1125), King of Georgia in 1089–1125Tamar The Great (1160–1213), King of Georgia from 1184 to 1207/1213George V The Brilliant, King of Georgia (1299–1302 and 1314–1346)Zviad Gamsakhurdia (1939–1993), President of Georgia (1991–1992)Noe Zhordania (1868–1953), President of Georgia in 1918-1921Eduard Shevardnadze (1927–2014), Foreign Minister of USSR and President of GeorgiaJoseph Stalin (1878–1953), Bolshevik revolutionary and second leader of the Soviet UnionThroughout history, there were many notorious Georgian military figures and commanders serving in the Georgian, Turkish, Iranian, Spanish, Russian, Polish and other country's military forces from BC till today. There were around 100 high-ranking officers serving in the Polish army during World War II alone. Most prominent figures served in Russian, US and Persian armies.
Grigol Bakurianis-dze (11th century), general in the Byzantine serviceGiorgi Saakadze (1570–1629), Georgian, Safavid and Ottoman military commander who won many battles against Muslim coalition forces and also battles for the Ottoman and Safavid Empire; notorious for annihilating an Iranian army at the Battle of Martqopi in 1625 almost without own lossesAllahverdi Khan (ca. 1560–June 3, 1613), Iranian general and statesman of Georgian origin who rose to high office in the Safavid stateImam-Quli Khan, Iranian military and political leader of Georgian origin who served as a governor of Fars, Lar and Bahrain for the shahs Abbas I and SafiDaud Khan Undiladze, Iranian military commander and politician of Georgian origin; governor (beglarbeg) of Ganja and Karabakh 1625–1630Rostom-Khan Saakadze (c. 1588–1 March 1643), Iranian Safavid military commander (sipah-salar) of Georgian originPrince Alexander of Imereti (1674–1711), Georgian prince and commander of the artillery of the Russian Empire under Peter IYusef Khan-e Gorji, Iranian military leader of Georgian originPyotr Bagration (1765–1812), one of the most prominent generals in Russian military history and most respected opponent of Napoleon; the Soviet counterattack against German forces in World War II was named after him, Operation BagrationAlexandre Bagrationi (1770–1844), Georgian prince and resistance fighterRoman Bagration (1778–1834), prominent general of the Imperial Russian army, distinguished commander in the Russo-Persian Wars and Napoleonic WarsIvane Bagration of Mukhrani (1812–1895), major general of the Russian Empire; revolutionizer of the wine industryIvane Amilakhvari (1829–1905), general of the Russian Empire and distinguished commander during the Crimean War and Russo-Turkish WarAlexander Imeretinsky (1837–1900), Georgian-Russian prince; lieutenant general and hero of the Russo-Turkish War; became governor-general of Warsaw in 1897Ivane Kazbegi (1860–1943), major general of the Russian Empire, then major general of the Polish Army and strategist at the Polish Academy of DefenceKonstantin Davidovich Cheidze, major general of the Democratic Republic of AzerbaijanVasili Dmitrievich Kargaleteli, major general of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijanknyaz Abel Gavrilovich Makayev, Georgian prince and major general of the Democratic Republic of AzerbaijanAleksandr Mihaylovich Pursalidze, major general of the Democratic Republic of AzerbaijanZahar Vasilyevich Amashukeli, major general of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan; commander of the Azeri First Army DivisionKote Abkhazi (1867–1923), general of the Russian Empire and Georgian resistance fighterZakaria Bakradze (1870–1938), brigadier general of the Polish armyGiorgi Mazniashvili (1872–1937), general in Russian and Georgian service; defeated three enemy armies invading GeorgiaGiorgi Kvinitadze (1874–1970), Russian general and later commander-in-chief of the Democratic Republic of Georgia during the Red Army invasion of GeorgiaJoseph Stalin (1878–1953), leader of the Soviet UnionLeo Kereselidze (1878–1942)Alexandre Chkheidze (1878–1940), general of the Polish armyValiko Jugheli (1887–1924), Georgian general and resistance fighterKaikhosro (Kakutsa) Cholokashvili (1888–1930), Georgian resistance fighterKonstantin Mikeladze (1895–1935), commander in the Iranian armyGrigor Mikeladze (1898–1955), first lieutenant in the Iranian armyShalva Maglakelidze (1893–1976), Georgian general and later in charge of the German Georgian Legion of (1941–1945)Alexander Sumbatashvili (?–1941), general and chief of staff of the Polish armyValerian Tevzadze (1894–1987), colonel of the Polish army and resistance fighter in World War II, later against the Soviet rule until his death in 1987Lavrentiy Beria (1899–1953), marshal of the Soviet Union and main ideologist and architect, as well as chief of the Soviet secret police, NKVDKonstantin Leselidze (1903–1944), colonel general of the Soviet Union, commander of the Caucasus front and hero of the Soviet UnionDimitri Amilakhvari (1906–1942), colonel of the French Foreign Legion, fighting on almost every important spot during the war, hero of France and iconic figure of the French resistance during World War IIVladimir Janjgava (1907–1982), lieutenant general and hero of the Soviet UnionAlexi Inauri (1908–1993), colonel general and hero of the Soviet UnionVasilij Shalvovich Kvachantiradze (1907–1950), Soviet sniper who scored 215-500 kills, hero of the Soviet UnionYaroslav Iosseliani (1912–1978), submarine commander, hero of the Soviet UnionArchil Gelovani (1915–1978), marshal of the Soviet UnionJerzy Tumaniszwili (1916–2010), counter admiral of the polish navyNoe Adamia (1914–1942), Soviet sniper, hero of the Soviet UnionMeliton Kantaria (1920–1993), sergeant of the Red Army who raised the Soviet victory banner over the Reichstag in Berlin, April 30, 1945Geno Adamia (1936–1993), Georgian major general and garrison commander of Sukhumi; executed with the entire garrison and extermination of the city's population by Abkhazian militia during the Sukhumi massacreJohn Shalikashvili (Poland, 1936–2011), general of the United States, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and supreme commander of NATO forces in Europe; partially solved Kurdish conflict on the Iraqi-Turkish border, saving around 500.000 Kurdish people being displaced; developed the Joint Vision 10 plan, a template which combined all elements of the United States armed forces to one efficient network of the different combat componentsPeter the Iberian (411–491), bishop and philosopherAntim Iverianul (Antimoz Iverieli) (1650–1716), Metropolitan of RomaniaAmbrosi (1866–1927), Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia in 1921–1927Grigol Peradze (1899–1942), Archimandrite, historian (Poland)Elie Melia (1915–1988), Orthodox priest and church historianIlia II (1932– ), Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia since 1977Parsadan Gorgijanidze (1626–c.1696), historian and factotumIlia Abuladze (1901–1968), philologistMalkhaz Abdushelishvili (1926–1998), anthropologistGiuli Alasania (1946– ), historianAndria Apakidze (1914–2005), archaeologistZurab Avalishvili (1876–1944), international law and historyTeimuraz Bagrationi (1782–1846), historian and philologistVakhushti Bagrationi (1696–1757), historian and geographerDimitri Bakradze (1826–1890), historianIvan Beritashvili (1884–1974), physiologistArnold Chikobava (1898–1985), linguistLevan Chilashvili (1930–2004), archaeologistGiorgi Chubinashvili (1885–1973), art historianGia Dvali (1964– ), physicistSolomon Dodashvili (1805–1836), philosopherRevaz Dogonadze (1931–1985), physicistRevaz Gabashvili (1878–1959), historianTamaz Gamkrelidze (1928–), linguist, President of the Academy of SciencesGuranda Gvaladze (1932– ), botanistPavle Ingorokva (1893–1990), historian and philologistNikoloz Janashia (1931–1982), historianSimon Janashia (1900–1947), historianIvane Javakhishvili (1876–1940), historianJoseph Jordania (1954– ), ethnomusicologist and evolutionary musicologist (Australia)Sargis Kakabadze (1886–1967), historianAlexander Kartveli (1896–1974), aircraft engineer (United States)Giorgi Kartvelishvili (1827–1901), public figure, benefactorSimon Kaukhchishvili (1895–1981), historian and philologistDavid Lordkipanidze (1963– ), anthropologistGivi Maisuradze (1934– ), geologistMerab Mamardashvili (1930–1990), philosopherGuram Mchedlidze (1931– ), biologistGiorgi Melikishvili (1918–2002), historianRoin Metreveli (1939– ), historianNikoloz Muskhelishvili (1890–1978), mathematicianAlexander Nadiradze (1914–1987), missile engineer (USSR)Shalva Nutsubidze (1888–1969), philosopherVladimer Papava (1955– ), economistMikhail Sabinin (1845–1900), historianAkaki Shanidze (1887–1987), linguist and philologistEkvtime Takaishvili (1863–1953), historian and archaeologistGiorgi Tsereteli (1904–1973), linguistGrigol Tsereteli (1870–1938), philologistMikheil Tsereteli (1878–1965), sumerologistVasil Tsereteli (1862–1937), physician and public benefactorDimitri Uznadze (1886–1950), psychologist and philosopherIlia Vekua (1907–1977), mathematicianLeila AbashidzeVeriko AnjaparidzeMedea ChakhavaSofiko ChiaureliRamaz ChkhikvadzeKakhi KavsadzeVakhtang KikabidzeZurab KipshidzeOtar KoberidzeAvtandil MakharadzeKote MakharadzeMerab NinidzeGuram SagaradzeKarlo SakandelidzeNato VachnadzeBukhuti ZakariadzeSergo ZakariadzeNino AnaniashviliGeorge Balanchine (1904–1983), US choreographer; founder of school of American balletVakhtang ChabukianiNino GoguaDavit KhozashviliLasha KhozashviliIrma NioradzeNikolai TsiskaridzeDimitri ArakishviliAndria BalanchivadzeMeliton BalanchivadzeAlexandre BasilaiaAlexander Borodin (1834–1887) (ethnic Georgian) (Russia)Eka ChabashviliOtar GordeliVakhtang KakhidzeGiya Kancheli (1935– )Bidzina KvernadzeRevaz LagidzeElizbar Lomdaridze(1945b)Nodar MamisashviliMikheil "Mika" MdinaradzeZurab NadarejshviliSulkhan NasidzeZakaria PaliashviliNathela SvanidzeOtar TaktakishviliDavit "Guguli" ToradzeSulkhan TsintsadzeDini VirsaladzeMaka VirsaladzeJemal GokieliVakhtang JordaniaJansug KakhidzeVakhtang KakhidzeEvgeni MikeladzeNikoloz "Memanishvili" RachveliEnsemble ErisioniEnsemble GeorgikaEnsemble RustaviHamlet GonashviliSukhishvili National BalletDodo AbashidzeTengiz AbuladzeTemur BabluaniMikheil ChiaureliGoderdzi ChokheliGeorgi DaneliyaOtar IoselianiMikhail Kalatozov (Mikheil Kalatozishvili)Marlen Khutsiev (Khutsishvili)Eldar ShengelaiaGiorgi TsintsadzeBeso TurazashviliGeorge Giorgi AndghuladzePaata BurchuladzeLamara ChkoniaGiorgi DaneliaTamar IveriMakvala KasrashviliNatalia KutateladzeNino MachaidzeBadri MaisuradzeSofia MchedlishviliNatela NicoliAnita RachvelishviliZurab SotkilavaNino SurguladzeMerab AbramishviliDavid AlexidzeElene AkhvledianiGia BugadzeMamuka DidebashviliGigo GabashviliMerab GagiladzeLado GudiashviliGia GugushviliAliquli JabbadarMamuka JapharidzeDavid KakabadzeShalva KikodzeSergo KobuladzeZurab MartiashviliLevan MindiashviliOleg TimchenkoPetre OtskheliIrakli ParjianiRusudan PetviashviliNiko PirosmaniMaia RamishviliRadish TordiaAvto VaraziTengiz AmirejibiEteri AndjaparidzeKhatia BuniatishviliMarina Goglidze-MdivaniInga KashakashviliAlexander KorsantiaTéa LomdaridzeNino GurevichNino JvaniaGiorgi LatsoEdisher SavitskiTamriko SiprashviliIrma SvanadzeAlexander "Lekso" Toradze (1951– ) (United States)Eliso VirsaladzeBeka GochiashviliAlexander AbasheliIrakli AbashidzeRati AmaglobeliLado AsatianiNikoloz BaratashviliBesikiAlexander ChavchavadzeIlia ChavchavadzeZviad GamsakhurdiaTeimuraz GaprindashviliValerian GaprindashviliDavid-Dephy GogibedashviliTerenti GraneliIoseb GrishashviliDavid GuramishviliYetim GurdjiPaolo IashviliIrakli KakabadzeAna KalandadzeGiorgi LeonidzeMukhran MachavarianiDavid MagradzeKote MakashviliTinatin MghvdliashviliKolau NadiradzeGaga NakhutsrishviliNiko NikoladzeVazha-PshavelaShota RustaveliNiko SamadashviliErekle ShvelidzeGalaktion TabidzeTitsian TabidzeAkaki TsereteliIakob NikoladzeIrakli OchiauriGeorge PapashvilyZurab TsereteliHamlet GonashvilyNino KatamadzeDavid "Dato" KhujadzeKatie Melua (United Kingdom)Nina SublattiDavid DoiashviliKeti DolidzeGuranda IashviliKote MarjanishviliRobert SturuaPaata TsikurishviliKita Abashidze, literary criticBoris Akunin (Grigory Chkhartishvili), writerChabua AmirejibiLado Asatiani (1917–1942), poetVasil BarnoviMirza Kalich BegSaint Ilia the Righteous (Ilia Chavchavadze) (1837–1907), poet and writerOtar ChiladzeTamaz ChiladzeDaniel ChonkadzeShalva DadianiGuram DochanashviliKonstantine GamsakhurdiaIakob GogebashviliLevan GotuaMikheil JavakhishviliAleksandre KazbegiLeo KiacheliDavid KldiashviliRichard KriheliMukhran Machavariani (1929– ), poetAka MorchiladzeGeorge PapashvilyVazha-Pshavela (Luka Razikashvili) (1862–1915), poet and writerGuram RcheulishviliGrigol RobakidzeShota Rustaveli (12th century), poetGalaktion Tabidze (1891–1953), poetDavid TurashviliShota Arveladze (1973- ), former footballerZurab Azmaiparashvili (1960- ), Chess GrandmasterMaia Chiburdanidze (1961- ), Women's World Champion in chess (1978–1991)Roman Dzindzichashvili (1944- ), US Chess Champion (1983 and 1989)Kokkai Futoshi (Levan Tsaguria) (1981- ), sumo wrestlerNona Gaprindashvili (1941- ), Women's World Champion in chess (1962–1978)Kakhaber Kaladze (1978- ), footballer, Genoa and Georgia national teamTemuri Ketsbaia (1968- ), former footballer, notably for Newcastle United F.C. and Georgia national teamKakhi KakhiashviliGeorgi Kinkladze (1973-), former footballerArchil Mdivani (1911-1937), tennis playerMevlud Meladze (1972-), Formula Alfa championNatalia Nasaridze (1972-), champion archerZaza Pachulia (1984-), NBA basketball playerRoman Rurua (1942-), wrestlerNikoloz Tskitishvili (1983- ), NBA basketball playerGocha Tsitsiashvili (born 1973), Israeli Olympic wrestlerDimitri Yachvili (1980- ), French former rugby union footballerKakha Bendukidze (1956–2014), statesman, businessman and philanthropistBadri Patarkatsishvili (1956–2008), business oligarch; richest Georgian businessman; 2008 Georgian presidential candidateLevan Gachechiladze (1964– ), founder of Georgian Wine Company, 2008 Georgian presidential candidateDavid Gamkrelidze (1964– ), founder of Aldagi Insurance Company; Member of ParliamentBidzina (Boris) IvanishviliRazhden Arsenidze (1880–1965), jurist, journalist, and politicianSopho Khalvashi (1986– ), songstressZviad Kvachantiradze (1965– ), former Secretary General of TRACECA, ambassadorThe Mdivani family, aznauri, or minor nobilityAntoin Sevruguin (1830–1933), photographer in Iran during the reign of the Qajar dynastyVasily Sopromadze (1963– ), property developer in RussiaLela Tsurtsumia (1968– ), singerSee also: List of people by nationality
