Ekrem Bardha (born May 13, 1933) is an Albanian-American businessman, co-founder of the National Albanian American Council (NAAC), and former owner of Illyria Newspaper. He currently serves as Albania’s Honorary Consul in Michigan and is regarded as one of the most successful Albanians in America.

A remarkable aspect of Bardha’s life is his interaction with the highest echelons of power in the United States. Starting from the 37th President of the United States, Richard Nixon, in 1969, Ekrem Bardha had the honor of meeting seven U.S. presidents throughout his lifetime.

His journey began with Richard Nixon and continued with Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. Bardha’s meetings with these presidents underscore his influence and the respect he commands within American political circles.

Bardha’s engagement with U.S. presidents is a testament to his diplomatic skills, his commitment to the Albanian cause, and his standing within American political circles. His meetings provided him with a platform to advocate for the rights of Albanians, especially those in Kosovo, and to strengthen the Albanian-American community.

He is the author of 2 books: Far Yet Near Albania, and The Albanian-American Diaspora and the Independence of Kosova, 2023.