March 2018 (PHILADELPHIA, PA) Bella became a citizen of the United States on March 15th, 2018, taking the oath at the Federal Courthouse in Philadelphia, just down the street from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

Born in Bulgaria as Beloslava Tzvetkova Hristova, she changed her name officially to Bella Chichkova Hristova (“Bella” was a name not permitted during Communist Bulgaria). Hristova took her father Yuri Chichkov’s name for her middle name.

As a new citizen Bella is looking forward to voting in all upcoming elections and participating in the democratic process.

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