Once Serbia’s most feared gangster and warlord, Arkan, left behind a legacy of violence and a family that still dominates Balkan headlines with their glitzy, celebrity lifestyles
Once infamous for his brutal reign as a gangster and paramilitary leader, Željko Ražnatović, better known as Arkan, left behind not only a legacy of violence but also a family that continues to dazzle the Balkans with its bling and celebrity lifestyle.
Today, Arkan’s widow Ceca reigns as Serbia’s ultimate music diva, while their children flaunt their own glamorous careers.
Arkan was one of the most notorious figures to emerge from the bloody conflicts of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. As founder and commander of the Serb Volunteer Guard, infamously known as “Arkan’s Tigers”, he played a leading role in the Croatian (1991–1995) and Bosnian (1992–1995) wars.
The late criminal’s unit was accused of extreme brutality, massacres, and ethnic cleansing. Before his paramilitary career, Arkan was a prolific bank robber and hitman across Western Europe.
Arkan was repeatedly landing on Interpol’s most wanted list and escaping prisons in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. In Serbia, he cultivated a powerful public image, heading the Red Star Belgrade football fan club, founding the Party of Serbian Unity, and marrying turbo-folk superstar Svetlana Ražnatović (née Veličković), mostly known as Ceca.
In 1997, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) secretly indicted Arkan for crimes against humanity. This included murder and rape.
ICTY further claimed he was responsible for “murder, other inhumane acts, [and] rape” as well as “cruel treatment” and “wilful killing” during the wars. The indictment detailed how “Arkan’s Tigers” were said to have terrorised non-Serb civilians, extorted families, and detained and brutalised Muslim men in places like Sanski Most.
Arkan was assassinated in Belgrade in 2000, before he could stand trial at The Hague. The notorious gangster fathered a total of nine children with five different women, leaving behind a sprawling and complex family legacy.
Some of the Ražnatović have sought the spotlight more than others and now remain firmly at the centre of Balkan popular culture. Ceca, who kept her late husband’s last name, continues to reign as Serbia’s most prominent turbo-folk star.
The 52-year-old widow is regularly hailed as a fashion icon, gracing major events in designer outfits and maintaining an enormous social media following. Their daughter, Anastasija, has carved out her own fame as both a singer and the wife of Serbian footballer Nemanja Gudelj.
The 27-year–old often shares her jet-setting lifestyle with fans online and frequently pays tribute to her father’s memory. Meanwhile, Arkan’s son, Veljko, has built a public profile as a professional boxer.
The 29-year-old is balancing his sporting career with a focus on family life alongside his wife Bogdana and their children. Nevertheless, he has continued to court controversy both inside and outside the boxing ring.
Most recently, his absence from the annual memorial service for his father on January 15 sparked a flurry of speculation in the Balkan media, with some questioning whether this signalled a family rift or a deliberate distancing from Arkan’s contentious legacy. Veljko’s professional boxing career has also come under scrutiny.
A much-hyped bout with Kosovar fighter Petri Mazrekaj was abruptly cancelled after Mazrekaj cited “security reasons” claiming Veljko refused to fight outside Serbia. The claim was denied by Veljko’s camp.
Furthermore, he has publicly made pro-Putin and anti-LGBTQIA+ statements. His continued association with nationalist figures and public use of provocative imagery ensure he remains one of the most polarising personalities in the region.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.