Biography
Pencho Semov – a short biography
Pencho Ivanov Semov (1873 – 10 July 1945) was a Bulgarian merchant, industrialist, banker and philanthropist from Gabrovo, known as “the most socially minded industrialist in the Balkans”.
Key facts
- Born
- 1873, Tsvyatkovtsi village (near Gabrovo), Bulgaria
- Died
- 10 July 1945, Gabrovo
- Parents
- Ivan Semov and Bona Semova (née Nedyalkova, of the Popovi family of Bozhentsi)
- Spouses
- Anitsa Gadeva Taleva (m. 1898) and Radka Nikolova Pateva (m. 1902)
- Children
- Ivan, Bonka and Pencho
- Known as
- “The Benefactor”, “the most socially minded industrialist in the Balkans”
- Motto
- “Work, love, perseverance”
Family
Timeline
- 1873Born in Tsvyatkovtsi – the firstborn son of Ivan and Bona Semovi.
- 1882Comes to Gabrovo for the first time.
- 1886Sets off with his father as an itinerant trader; they open a drapery shop in Tutrakan.
- 1898Marries Anitsa Gadeva Taleva; becomes a partner in the “Talev-Semov” soap factory.
- 1901–1903His wife Anitsa and their children Ivan and Bonka die of tuberculosis. Semov sets up a fund to fight the disease.
- 1902Marries Radka Nikolova Pateva.
- 1904Shareholder in the “Nadezhda” woollen textile factory.
- 1905Founds “Ivan Semov & Sons” with his father and brother Semo.
- 1917–1918Buys the majority of “Uspeh” AD and turns it into one of Bulgaria’s largest woollen textile companies.
- 1919Donates 300,000 gold leva for lobbying in Bulgaria’s favour during the Treaty of Neuilly negotiations.
- 1928First will; awarded the Order of Civil Merit, 4th class.
- 1936Donates his villa and part of his estate in Varna to the Union of Journalists.
- 1943Creates a charitable foundation and leaves it 50% of his property.
- 1945Dies on 10 July in Gabrovo.
- 1947Nationalisation freezes the foundation’s funds.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Pencho Semov?
Pencho Semov (1873–1945) was a merchant, industrialist and banker from Gabrovo, one of the wealthiest Bulgarians of his time and one of the most generous donors in Bulgarian history. The people of Gabrovo called him “the Benefactor”, and he is remembered as “the most socially minded industrialist in the Balkans”.
How many children did Pencho Semov have?
Three. From his first marriage to Anitsa Taleva he had a son, Ivan (1899–1902), and a daughter, Bonka (1900–1903), both of whom died of tuberculosis. From his second marriage to Radka Pateva he had a son, Pencho (1924–1999).
Who were Pencho Semov’s wives?
He married twice: on 26 July 1898 to Anitsa Gadeva Taleva, who died on 11 November 1901, and on 8 December 1902 to Radka Nikolova Pateva (1884–1958), with whom he lived for 43 years.
Who were his parents and siblings?
His parents were Ivan Semov (1833–1917) and Bona Semova (1843–1924) of the Popovi family of Bozhentsi. His siblings were Semo (1882–1940), Ivanka (1886–1916), Nedyalko (1886–1916), Radka (1888–1963) and Deshka (1894–1916).
What was Pencho Semov known for as an industrialist?
For over half a century he worked in trade, industry and banking. His enterprises included the “Talev-Semov” soap factory, “Ivan Semov & Sons”, the “Nadezhda” and “Uspeh” woollen textile factories and the “Prince Kiril” cotton factory in Gabrovo. He introduced knitting and sewing machines into homes, giving poor families an income.
How much did Pencho Semov donate?
According to researchers, his personal donations amounted to about 55 million leva, and those made through his foundation to more than 200 million leva. He supported schools, free school canteens, hospitals, churches, the Faculty of Agriculture of Sofia University, Bulgaria’s first homeless shelter in Sofia and many other causes.
Which hospital did Pencho Semov build?
After losing his wife and children to tuberculosis, Semov set up a fund to fight the disease and built the specialised lung disease hospital in Gabrovo, which still bears his name.
What happened to his will?
In 1943 Semov left 50% of his property to a charitable foundation and shares to 34 organisations and societies. After 9 September 1944 and the nationalisation law of 23 December 1947, the foundation’s funds were frozen and its shares and bonds nationalised.
Is there a book about Pencho Semov?
Yes – “Pencho Semov. The Success” by Krasimira Cholakova (in Bulgarian), one of the main sources of this website. See also Sources.
What is the Pencho Semov Association?
The Pencho Semov Non-Profit Association (UIC 207332936) promotes the life and work of Pencho Semov through a film, awards and scholarships in his name, events and publications. You can support the cause with a donation.
Read the full story on the home page – with archive photographs, the family tree and quotes by Pencho Semov.