Vehbi Bajrami is the publisher of the Albanian-American newspaper Illyria, an author, and a respected businessman based in New York. Born in the Presheva Valley, he studied Language and Literature at the University of Prishtina, where he began contributing to the Albanian press. He started his journalism career as a reporter and later became an editor at Bota e Re newspaper.

After immigrating to the United States in 1990, Bajrami joined Illyria shortly after its founding in 1991. Over the years, he worked as a journalist, editor, and managing editor before becoming its third—and longest-serving—publisher in 2006. He also served as Director of the Albanian Language Service at Voice of America in Washington, D.C., during 2005–2006.

Bajrami is the author of Shqiptarët e Amerikës (The Albanians of America), one of the most comprehensive works on the Albanian-American community, introduced by writer Ismail Kadare. He also wrote My Visit to the Holy Land and contributed to Father Lush Gjergji’s book on Mother Teresa. For over three decades, he has been a leading advocate for Albanian-American issues, including Kosovo’s independence and the advancement of Albanian rights in the Balkans.

In recognition of his contributions, Bajrami has received high honors from Albania and Kosovo, including the “Knight of the Order of Skanderbeg” and the Presidential Medal of Merit. He is also an honorary citizen of Puka, Albania, and serves as president of Barami Construction. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and their two sons.