Zlatka Dimitrova from Burgas, known as Black Zlatka, has hit out at fuel prices. She says it makes no sense to compare Bulgaria with richer countries if wages and pensions are left out of the picture.
Her comment follows a TV report on petrol and diesel prices, in which an expert said fuel in Bulgaria is cheaper than in many other European countries. Dimitrova turned the comparison around to focus on incomes, steering clear of economic arguments and talking instead about what households actually spend.
On social media she wrote: "Wages and pensions are nothing, but fuel keeps going up — why? It's easy to compare us with other countries, but our incomes are zero."
Fuel remains one of the most talked-about topics in Bulgaria, after recent months showed a sharp rise in some fuel prices. The debate centres on whether comparing prices across Europe means much if it ignores how far people's money actually stretches, and how much of the final price comes from world markets versus tax.
In Italy and Portugal, protests against high fuel prices have been running for days. Truckers, farmers and taxi drivers are calling for lower excise duty, taxes and road tolls.
Dimitrova was born in Burgas on 19 May 1984. She studied at Burgas Free University, and her name became widely known in 2009, when she won the "Miss Playmate" contest. She lives and works mainly between Burgas and Sofia, and her family has ties to the region. In 2025 she marked her birthday in her home city.
Her public image has shifted from model to businesswoman. She runs her own line of supplements, diet and training plans and sports products, and speaks often about fitness, food and staying in shape. In interviews she says she handles orders and shipping herself, and picks the models, ad materials and photos for her sportswear.
Dimitrova still fronts ad campaigns for various brands and has appeared in a string of TV shows, making her a familiar face from reality and celebrity programmes. She also speaks publicly about everyday life with her son.