Volodymyr Zelensky’s Wife Olena Zelenska

Volodymyr Zelensky has been one of the emerging heroes as of late in this Russian invasion against Ukraine. As acting president, Zelensky chose to stay behind in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, in order to boost the morale of his troops against a military advanced Russia. Moreover, his rousing speech to the House of Commons has touched the hearts of everyone including the U.K. Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. The Russian invasion has not only negatively impacted the world economically, but it also has displaced and killed plenty of civilians in Ukraine. Because of this, even Volodymyr Zelensky's wife Olena Zelenska, has chosen not to stay silent.

For this piece, let’s get to know more about Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska. 

Volodymyr Zelensky’s Wife Olena Zelenska

Volodymyr reportedly met his wife when the two studied in Kryvyi Rih National University. By September 2003, the couple decided to get married. 

Olena was born February 1978 in Kryvyi Rih. In Kryvyi Rih National University, she studied architecture. However, Olena didn’t pursue architecture in terms of her career. Instead, she became a screenwriter. In fact, she started her writing career with production company, Kvartal 95. Here, she wrote the hit political satire show, Servant of the People. This was the same TV show that powered her husband, Volodymyr, into fame. While acting as the First Lady of Ukraine, she still continues her work as a screenwriter for the same company. 

Although Olena was against Volodymyr’s political ambitions at first, she eventually embraced the role of being Ukraine’s First Lady.

In an interview with Vogue, Olena said “But I prefer to stay backstage. My husband go always dey on di forefront, as I feel more comfortable in di shade. I no be di life of di party, I no sabi tell jokes.”

Ever since Volodymyr’s campaign period, Olena has been at his side. And as the country’s first lady, she has used her platform to address various social issues. One of which was initiating the modernization of the school’s feeding system that will promote healthy eating.

Aside from addressing the school’s feeding system, Olena also played an instrumental role in addressing Ukraine’s issues related to domestic violence. The Decree, On Urgent Measures to Prevent and Combat Domestic Violence, Gender-Based Violence, and Protect the Rights of Victims of Such Violence, was eventually signed by the president. With the decree signed, resources will be allocated in order to put up shelters for victims of domestic violence who will need protection and psychological assistance. 

In a statement, Olena announced, “This is a decisive and very important step in the fight against domestic violence in Ukraine,”

Furthermore, Olena also played a pivotal role in making Ukraine a member of the Biarritz Partnership, a G7 plan which gives Ukraine the opportunity to reduce the gaps of gender inequality. 

In an interview with Vogue, she said “I grew up in Kryvyi Rih, I have been living in this country all my life, and I understand how many problems we have got. But if I'm going to grab onto everything, it won't work, so our team decided to focus on specific tasks: children's health, equal opportunities for all Ukrainians and cultural diplomacy.”

Besides being an advocate of these social issues, Olena is also an endorser of Ukrainian designers. Because of this, instead of opting to wear popular western branded clothing, Olena chooses to wear locally designed outfits in her trips abroad. 

In the same interview with Vogue, Olena said “I am pleased when they ask me in New York or Paris who is the designer of my outfit. And they do ask me. And it wouldn't be as exciting to name a major western brand, which they already know there, but how nice it is to promote Ukrainian designers to the world.”

Fast forward to today, Olena remains as a strong supporter of her husband, who has emerged as a war time hero. Given that the family is considered to be Vladimir Putin’s main target, Olena and their kids in Oleksandra and Kyrylo have gone into hiding away from Russian troops. In fact, the family has reportedly not seen each other for quite some time since the Russian invasion.

Nevertheless, Olena has vowed to be strong for Ukraine and her family in an Instagram Post. Moreover, she recently wrote a public letter to the media that condemns Russia’s actions that Ukraine’s citizens have suffered from, highlighting that children’s lives have been taken. At the same time, the letter was also a stern warning against Putin and Russian troops that Ukraine's citizens simply won’t give up in protecting their country.  

Nonetheless, at the time of this writing this is all we know about Volodymyr Zelensky's wife Olena Zelenska.