Who Is Arkan? Age, Biography and Wiki
Arkan, whose real name was Željko Ražnatović, was born on April 17, 1952. He gained infamy as a paramilitary leader during the Yugoslav Wars and was also known for his career in crime. His life was filled with both notoriety and complex tales that continue to intrigue many. As of 2025, Arkan would have been 73 years old if he were still alive today.
| Occupation | War Criminals |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 17, 1952 |
| Age | 47 Years |
| Birth Place | Brežice, PR Slovenia, FPR Yugoslavia |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | Slovenia |
| Date of death | 15 January, 2000 |
| Died Place | Belgrade, Serbia, FR Yugoslavia |
Popularity
Arkan's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific body measurements for Arkan are not widely documented, accounts from his life suggest that he had a commanding presence. Reports indicated that he stood at approximately 6 feet tall, with a muscular build typical of someone who was involved in both sport and military activities.
An avid gambler, following a private game of poker in an apartment at Ive Lole Ribara Street in Belgrade, Ražnatović got into an elevator altercation with a tenant from the apartment building, reportedly breaking the man's arm after beating him with a gun.
Ražnatović could not avoid being charged this time and the trial saw a notable exchange between him and the judge; during the pre-session identification, Ražnatović stated he was an employee of the Secretariat of Internal Affairs (SUP).
When this was challenged by the prosecutor, Ražnatović produced a document summarizing a mortgage loan he obtained from the UDBA for his house at Ljutice Bogdana Street. He ended up receiving a six-month sentence, which he served at the Belgrade Central Prison.
In the late 1980s, a football hooligan subculture had emerged in Yugoslavia and the unruly and rowdy fans of the Red Star Belgrade football team were seen as a major social problem.
At the request of the Ministry of the Interior, Ražnatović took over the Delije ("Heroes") fan club of Red Star Belgrade in an attempt to impose some control on the hooligans.
Ražnatović quickly became a hero to the Delije club by his ability to arrange for them to go to Western Europe whenever Red Star Belgrade played a game in a Western European city.
Relationship Status
As of 2025, Ceca remains a prominent figure in the Serbian entertainment industry. The legacy of their relationship is tightly intertwined with Arkan's complex history.
His father, Veljko Ražnatović served as a decorated officer in the SFR-Yugoslav Air Force, being highly ranked for his notable involvement in World War II.
Net Worth and Salary
Arkan's net worth has been a point of speculation over the years, with various sources estimating it to be in the millions at the peak of his involvement in criminal enterprises and political ventures. However, following his assassination in 2000, his financial dealings became less transparent. Estimates of his net worth in 2025 remain elusive but suggest a complicated financial legacy.
Career, Business and Investments
Arkan's career was multifaceted, spanning various illegal enterprises before and during the Yugoslav Wars. He led the Serb Volunteer Corps, a paramilitary unit notorious for war crimes. Beyond his criminal activities, Arkan engaged in business ventures, including the establishment of a football club.
His investments were shrouded in controversy, often tied to illicit activities, thereby making a comprehensive overview of his career complex and speculative at best.
It is widely speculated that Ražnatović was closely affiliated with the UDBA throughout his criminal career abroad.
He had convictions or warrants in Belgium (bank robberies, prison escape), the Netherlands (armed robberies, prison escape), Sweden (twenty burglaries, seven bank robberies, prison escape, attempted murder), West Germany (armed robberies, prison escape), Austria, Switzerland (armed robberies, prison escape), and Italy.
Ražnatović had achieved the status in the Belgrade underworld of earning "strahopoštovanje", a Serbo-Croat phrase that roughly translates as being "respected for fear".
Strahopoštovanje was generally achieved in the Yugoslav underworld by committing violent crimes in Western Europe, being arrested and convicted, serving a sentence in a Western European prison, and terrorizing the other inmates to such an extent that the said criminal became the most feared inmate in the prison.
In the macho world of the Yugoslav underworld, having strahopoštovanje status was seen as proof of a criminal's toughness and masculinity.
Social Network
Despite his controversial past, Arkan remains a figure of significant interest in the Balkans, with various fan pages and discussions about his legacy circulating on social media. His wife Ceca continues to maintain a strong social media presence, where she shares insights into her life and career, often referencing her late husband.
Education
Details about Arkan's formal education are scarce. Despite lacking a higher education background, his experiences in the military and paramilitary sectors significantly influenced his life choices and career trajectory.
