Ruse, Bulgaria – 1980
The winter wind blew fiercely through the small town of Ruse, Bulgaria, sweeping across the snow-covered streets. A ten-year-old girl sat by the window of her tiny apartment, staring blankly outside. Her sharp eyes, filled with calculation, reflected a maturity far beyond her years. Her name was Ruja Ignatova.
From a young age, Ruja was different from other children. She had no interest in playing with dolls or running around the park like her peers. Instead, she preferred reading economics books, listening to her father's business discussions, and observing how money worked in the real world.
Her father, Plamen Ignatov, was a mechanical engineer, while her mother, Veska Ignatova, was a teacher. They were not a wealthy family, but they were respected in their community. Life in Bulgaria under Soviet rule was not easy. The struggling economy, political uncertainty, and social inequality forced many to fight hard to survive.
But little Ruja always knew one thing: she did not want to live an ordinary life.
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An Ambition That Grew from Childhood
At school, Ruja was the smartest student in her class. She excelled in mathematics, physics, and economics, even capable of discussing topics far more complex than her age suggested. Her teachers often told her,
"You are a brilliant child, Ruja. One day, you will become someone great."
But her intelligence also made her stand out. Her classmates often saw her as arrogant and difficult to approach. She had no interest in talking about trivial things like other children. She wanted to dominate, to be the center of attention, to always win.
One incident at the age of 12 truly shaped her.
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The Story of the Missing Money
One day, her mother gave her 50 lev (Bulgarian currency) to buy groceries. When she returned home, Ruja suddenly burst into tears, claiming that a boy at the market had stolen the money.
Her mother panicked and took her back to the market to look for the boy. A crowd gathered, feeling sorry for the little girl who had lost her money.
Soon, a boy was accused of stealing because he had been near Ruja at the time. The police were called, and the boy cried, insisting that he had stolen nothing.
But while everyone was distracted, Ruja secretly held the 50 lev inside her pocket.
She had never lost the money. It was all part of her cunning plan to see how far she could control a situation.
That night, she smiled in satisfaction in her room, staring at the money still intact in her hands. That day, she realized something: with intelligence and manipulation, she could get anything she wanted.
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The First Life Lesson
After that incident, she became even more obsessed with power and control.
She began studying how people reacted to lies, how fear could be controlled, and how easily people could be manipulated with emotional stories.
At the age of 14, she told her mother,
"I will not live in poverty like this. I will become someone who has everything."
And she meant every word.
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Entering a New World
In the early 1990s, after the fall of the Soviet Union, her family moved to Germany in search of a better life.
It was here that little Ruja transformed into a more ambitious and dangerous figure.
From a small town in Bulgaria, she slowly began planning a future that would shake the world.
Schramberg, Germany – 1994
Ruja stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her black blazer. Today was her first day at secondary school in Germany, after her family had moved from Bulgaria.
She took a deep breath. This wasn't just a new school—it was the beginning of a new life.
Her mother, Veska, appeared at the door.
"Ruja, hurry up! You don't want to be late on your first day, do you?"
Ruja gave a small smile and slipped her books into her bag.
"I'm ready, Mama."
As they walked to school, the small town of Schramberg felt completely different from Bulgaria. The streets were clean, people seemed more disciplined, and there were no signs of poverty like back home.
When they arrived at the school, Veska patted her daughter's shoulder.
"Remember, Ruja. Hard work is everything. Use your intelligence for a better future."
Ruja looked at her mother for a moment, then smiled.
"Of course, Mama. I will become someone great."
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🎭 First Class: Becoming the Center of Attention
As she stepped into the classroom, all eyes immediately turned to her. The Bulgarian girl who had just arrived in Germany—elegant in appearance, speaking with confidence.
A boy with glasses at the back of the class whispered to his friend.
"I thought the new kid would be nervous. But look at her, it's like she owns the place."
The teacher introduced Ruja to the class.
"Everyone, this is Ruja Ignatova. She just moved from Bulgaria. Please welcome her warmly."
A blonde-haired girl, Anneliese, smirked.
"Oh, so you're Bulgarian? Did you live in the woods before this?"
Soft chuckles filled the room.
But Ruja didn't get angry. Instead, she smiled.
She stepped forward, looking Anneliese straight in the eyes.
"Actually, I come from a small town called Ruse. And there, I was always the best. I didn't come here to play around."
The room fell silent. Anneliese flinched, not expecting the foreign girl to challenge her so boldly.
The teacher cleared his throat.
"Alright, that's enough. Ruja, please take a seat over there."
As she walked to her seat, some students began whispering. Some were impressed, others were starting to feel intimidated.