When you hear the name Desislava Bozhilova, you probably think of the calm and confident referee standing at the snooker table with her white gloves and steady voice. But her story is much bigger than that. It is a story about talent, hard work, equality, and a lot of heart. And the best part? It all started in a small Bulgarian city where she didn’t even have access to a real snooker table.
Today, Desislava Bozhilova is known around the world. She has become one of the most respected referees in the game. Players, fans, and even other referees admire how she works. She stays calm in pressure moments, handles big matches with confidence, and treats everyone with fairness. And because of all this, she has made history again and again.
Let’s take a friendly, simple walk through her life and her amazing journey.
Early Life – A Small City, A Big Dream
Desislava Bozhilova was born on October 16, 1992, in Sliven, Bulgaria. Sliven is not a place known for snooker. In fact, it didn’t even have many snooker tables. Her family could not afford one, so she started by playing pool at age 13. That was the closest she could get.
But sometimes dreams start in simple ways.
Desislava discovered snooker through TV. She watched the players, the silence of the game, the focus, the colors on the table — and she fell in love with it. Many kids fall in love with sports on TV, but she took that feeling and shaped her whole future around it.
When she moved to Sofia to study Landscape Architecture, she still kept her love for snooker. While her classmates were sketching buildings and gardens, she was also imagining herself standing at the snooker table, calling out fouls and guiding matches.
It sounds funny, but that mix of design and snooker gave her a strong eye for detail — something every great referee needs.
Her First Step Into Refereeing
In 2012, Desislava Bozhilova learned about the Bulgarian Snooker Referees Association. She went to their seminar, took the exam, passed it, and suddenly her journey had begun.
Her first professional event was the 2012 Bulgarian Open. She stood there, in front of players she had watched for years, and did her job with calm focus. And people noticed. Her clear voice, sharp eyes, and steady decisions made her stand out.
From there, everything moved quickly, She was invited to ref more events — big ones.
She handled matches at the German Masters, the English Open, and the Players Championship. Then came one of her big moments: the 2016 Riga Masters, her first ranking final.
This was a huge step. Many referees wait years for a moment like that. But Desislava earned it because she always showed calmness, fairness, and quiet confidence.
Climbing to the Top – Entering the Biggest Stages
By 2016, Desislava Bozhilova was already working at Triple Crown events. Her first major one was the UK Championship. Standing there, in that famous arena, she looked completely at home. She never tries to take the spotlight, but her presence is strong and respected.
In 2019, she stepped into the main stages of the World Snooker Championship for the first time. The Crucible Theatre is known for pressure. Even the best players feel it. But Desislava walked in and did her job as if she had been there for years.
She returned in 2020, proving once again that she belonged among the top referees in the world.
You might wonder:
How does someone stay so calm in front of millions of viewers?
That’s her natural gift. She doesn’t panic. She doesn’t rush. She doesn’t get nervous easily. And even when something goes wrong, she manages it with grace — something fans love about her.
Making History – Completing the Triple Crown
In 2022, Desislava Bozhilova reached a new level. She refereed the Masters Final and the UK Championship Final in the same year. This was already incredible on its own. But the real history came in 2025.
At the age of 32, she officiated the World Snooker Championship Final at the Crucible.
This made her:
- The second woman ever to referee the World Final
- The first woman in history to referee all three Triple Crown finals
This achievement put her into snooker history forever.
And she didn’t just “referee the match.” She controlled the entire atmosphere. She guided the players, the crowd, and the moments with quiet authority.
One funny moment happened when Mark Williams pretended he was aiming for the yellow but actually wanted the black. People laughed, but Desislava handled it smoothly and kept the match flowing perfectly.
Her confidence, fairness, and warmth made the final even more enjoyable for everyone watching.
The Famous Clash With Ronnie O’Sullivan
No story about Desislava Bozhilova is complete without mentioning her well-known moment with Ronnie O’Sullivan. It happened during his match with Stuart Bingham. The crowd was loud, the tension was high, and Ronnie felt the black ball had not been spotted correctly.
He told her to “chill.”
She replied calmly, “I’m chilled.”
The whole world watched that moment. Some people laughed, some were shocked, and others praised her for staying calm under pressure. But that short exchange showed something important about her. She does not get pushed around, even by the biggest name in snooker.
And she handled everything with full professionalism. She didn’t raise her voice. She didn’t get upset. She just stayed steady, did her job, and kept the match under control. Many fans say that moment made them respect her even more.
This is why players trust her. She can manage pressure, noise, emotion, and even Ronnie O’Sullivan — all with a steady voice and a calm face.
Her Personal Life and Quiet Support System
Although she is very private, it is known that Desislava Bozhilova has been in a long-term relationship with fellow Bulgarian referee Proletina Velichkova for more than six years.
They often share photos together on social media, especially on Valentine’s Day. They look happy, relaxed, and very close. It is clear that they support each other in both life and work.
Proletina is also a referee, so she understands the pressure, the long travel days, and the emotional moments that come with this job. Having someone who understands your world makes a big difference. Many fans say they are a beautiful couple and love the support they show for each other.
This soft side of Desislava’s life shows that behind her strong and calm presence at the table, she also has love, stability, and comfort in her private world.
Her Life Outside Snooker – Cakes, Design, and Art
Even though Desislava Bozhilova is known for her refereeing, she has many talents outside snooker. One of her biggest hobbies is cake-making, and she is very good at it.
She makes cakes shaped like unicorns, guitars, pirate ships, hearts, and even snooker balls. They all look like something you would see in a bakery window. She shares these beautiful creations with her 37,000+ Instagram followers, and people really enjoy seeing them.
It is easy to see her artistic side. Since she studied Landscape Architecture and makes 3D interior designs, her creativity shows in everything she does. Her cakes are colorful, fun, and full of detail — just like the way she pays attention to every small thing on a snooker table.
This balance between precision and creativity is part of what makes her so interesting. She can control a high-pressure snooker match one day and design a peaceful, lovely cake the next.
Her Earnings and Net Worth
There is no exact public information about how much money Desislava Bozhilova has earned over the years. But based on her work, it is clear she is doing very well.
Top referees in snooker earn a base salary of around £20,750 per season, plus bonuses for major tournaments. Some sessions can pay £300 to £500 a day, and top events pay even more. Travel, hotels, and meals are also fully covered by the organization.
Since Desislava has refereed ranking finals, Triple Crown events, and the 2025 World Championship final, her income is certainly strong within her field. Many fans believe she is one of the best-paid female referees in the world.
But anyone who watches her work knows she does not do it for money. She does it because she loves the game, the atmosphere, and the challenge of staying sharp and fair at all times.
Her Influence on Snooker and the Next Generation
One of the most powerful parts of Desislava Bozhilova’s story is how she inspires people — especially young women, but also anyone who wants to be part of the sport. She shows that you do not need to be a player to be part of the snooker world. You can love the game and still reach the highest levels as a referee.
She often says:
“In snooker, we are equal. If you are good enough, you get your chance.”
This message is simple but strong. It tells people that skill and hard work matter more than anything else. Gender, age, or background do not stop you if you have talent and discipline.
Because Desislava made history by completing all three Triple Crown finals, she has opened doors for many future referees. She proved that a woman can stand on the biggest stage and guide the most important match of the year with class and control.
The Legacy and Future of Desislava Bozhilova
Desislava Bozhilova is still young, and she has many years ahead of her in snooker. Fans expect her to take charge of many more major finals in the future. Some believe she will one day become the most iconic referee in the sport.
Her story is already powerful. From a small city with no snooker tables, to international fame at the Crucible Theatre — her journey proves that dreams can come true when you work hard, stay calm, and believe in yourself.
Desislava is more than a referee, She is a leader, She is a trailblazer. She is an inspiration to thousands of people around the world.
And most importantly, she is proof that fairness, talent, and respect can take you anywhere.
