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Tonka Obretenova

1812 – 1893

Bulgarian revolutionary

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About Tonka Obretenova

Lived 1812 – 1893 (aged 80–81). Tonka Obretenova was a Bulgarian revolutionary.

Tonka Obretenova , known as Baba Tonka (Баба Тонка), was a female Bulgarian revolutionary, born in about 1812 in Rousse.

Her parents, Toncho Postavchiyata (Тончо Поставчията) and Minka Toncheva (Минка Тончева), were from the village of Cherven . She married Tiho Obretenov — a famous tailor and tradesman in Rousse. They had seven children (five sons and two daughters), all of whom participated in the Bulgarian revolutionary movement. Obretenova herself lent major support to the revolutionary committee - she was famous for sheltering a number of revolutionary leaders. The Rousse Revolutionary Committee, the most important one in the interior of Bulgaria, was established by her son Nikola Obretenov, in her house. Baba Tonka buried Stefan Karadzha and managed to preserve his skull.

Her sons Angel, Petar, Nikola, and Georgi took part in different detachments and were killed, or sent into long exile. Her younger daughter, Anastasiya (Анастасия; also called: Siya, Сия) married Zahari Stoyanov, a revolutionary, writer and publicist.

Baba Tonka Cove in Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica is named after Tonka Obretenova.

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Important facts

Born
1812, Ruse
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Also known as
Baba Tonka

Family & relationships

Spouse
Tiho Obretenov

People in Tonka Obretenova's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Tonka Obretenova's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Tonka Obretenova?

Bulgarian revolutionary (1812–1893)

When was Tonka Obretenova born?

Tonka Obretenova was born in 1812 in Ruse.

When did Tonka Obretenova die?

Tonka Obretenova died on 27 March 1893 in Ruse.

What was Tonka Obretenova's occupation?

Tonka Obretenova was a revolutionary.

What nationality was Tonka Obretenova?

Tonka Obretenova was Bulgarian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Tonka Obretenova

· Wikidata: Q3441882

· DBpedia: Tonka Obretenova

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Tonka Obretenova. https://biography.guide/tonka-obretenova/

MLA: "Tonka Obretenova." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/tonka-obretenova/.

Chicago: "Tonka Obretenova." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/tonka-obretenova/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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