Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, shares a deep bond with her husband, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Their journey from personal to political life has been shaped by the ongoing war in Ukraine. While Volodymyr has become a global symbol of leadership, Olena has supported him and advocated for causes close to her heart.
Both from Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, Olena and Volodymyr met at university. After eight years of dating, they married in 2003 and had two children. Volodymyr’s transition from comedian to president in 2019 was a surprising shift, with Olena contributing to his career, particularly through his show Servant of the People, which reflected the political changes to come.
As First Lady, Olena has focused on children’s health, particularly improving school nutrition. Drawing inspiration from countries like Japan, she worked to enhance the quality of meals in schools across Ukraine.
The war, however, has put immense strain on their relationship, with long separations due to safety concerns. Despite this, both have remained committed to their roles, with Olena showing resilience and pride in Volodymyr’s leadership.
Olena has also become a vocal advocate for the rights of Ukrainian children, particularly those abducted by Russian forces. She has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of this issue, with over 19,000 children taken and only 1,227 returned.
Though Volodymyr has gained global attention as Ukraine’s leader, Olena’s efforts behind the scenes—focused on children’s health, education reform, and the return of abducted children—demonstrate her vital role in supporting Ukraine during this difficult time. Their bond, tested by war, remains strong, driven by their mutual desire to protect their country.