Olena Zelenska: From Writer to First Lady
Olena Zelenska, once a screenwriter, now serves as Ukraine’s First Lady alongside her husband, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Their relationship, rooted in a long-standing bond from their hometown of Kryvyi Rih, has evolved from a personal connection to a powerful partnership navigating war and political transformation.
The couple met at Kryvyi Rih National University, eventually marrying in 2003 and raising two children. Before politics, Volodymyr starred in the TV show Servant of the People, with Olena contributing to its script. Ironically, fiction became reality when he was elected president in 2019, and Olena stepped into the public eye, championing social causes.
As First Lady, Olena has focused on children’s health and education, notably reforming school nutrition inspired by international models like Japan. Her advocacy expanded during the war, especially around the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russian forces. She’s helped lead a global coalition fighting to return them home—only a fraction have made it back.
The war has tested their relationship, forcing them apart for long stretches. Still, Olena’s resilience and commitment remain clear, both as a partner and as a leader. While Volodymyr stands as the face of Ukraine’s resistance, Olena quietly drives change behind the scenes—together embodying strength and unity in crisis.