Who is Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska? Biography, Family Life, and Career

Who is Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's wife?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena—affectionately called "Ze"—share a deep-rooted connection that began in childhood. Both hail from Kryvyi Rih, the largest city in central Ukraine, and were born just weeks apart.

The couple first met as schoolmates and began dating during their university years, eventually tying the knot in September 2003. While Olena was initially hesitant about Volodymyr's political ambitions, she has since become his unwavering support, standing firmly by his side as his closest and most loyal ally amid the Russian invasion.

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Who is Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's wife - Ukraine’s first lady?

Olena Zelenska has used social media to rally support since the invasion.

Olena Zelenska, born in 1978, is a talented Ukrainian screenwriter and a former classmate of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Since becoming Ukraine's First Lady in 2019, Zelenska has emerged as a powerful advocate for social and humanitarian causes. Today, she embodies remarkable courage and resilience, standing alongside her husband on the global stage amid the ongoing conflict.

Fluent in English and widely admired, Zelenska is considered one of Ukraine’s most influential women—not merely because of her title but due to her impactful work. A dynamic and diplomatic force, she led Ukraine’s entry into the G7’s Biarritz Partnership on gender equality during a speech at the third Ukrainian Women’s Congress in December 2019. Her initiatives span from promoting Ukrainian culture and reforming the school nutrition system to spreading the Ukrainian language worldwide and championing a barrier-free society.

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Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska - Childhood and Education

Ms Zelenska (44), used to write for the comedy troupe that catapulted her husband to fame, and eventually into public office.

Olena Volodymyrivna Kiyashko was born on February 6, 1978, in Kryvyi Rih—a bustling city known as the heart of Ukraine's steel industry, with a population of nearly 700,000.

In the same year and the same city, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was born. However, their paths did not cross until they were both students at Kryvyi Rih National University.

Olena pursued architecture at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, while Volodymyr studied law at the Vadym Hetman Institute of Economics. It was during their late teens that the two began dating, setting the foundation for a lifelong partnership.

In 2019, Olena Zelenska was recognized as one of Ukraine’s 100 Most Influential Women by Focus magazine, highlighting her growing impact on the nation.

Despite earning their degrees, neither Olena nor Volodymyr initially found work in their respective fields—yet another connection between them. Both displayed a natural creative talent and a flair for writing. Volodymyr, ever the entertainer, showcased his showmanship through university theatre, where he actively participated in plays, musicals, and comedy productions.

Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska - Family, Personal Life

Olena Zelenska with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and their children. Pic: Olena Zelenska via Instagram

Their courtship lasted around eight years, until they decided it was time to tie the knot and start a family. They were married on 6 September 2003 and moved to the capital, Kyiv.

Only a few weeks ago the pair released a Valentine's Day video in which they kissed on camera as Ms Zelenska held a bouquet of flowers.

They welcomed their daughter, Oleksandra, in July 2004 and their son, Kyrylo, in January 2013.

Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska - Career

The first lady was born Olena Kiyashko on 5 February 1978, in Kryvyi Rih, a city in central Ukraine.

Not long after graduating from university, Olena and Volodymyr began writing scripts and screenplays for local production companies. Their success in this creative venture inspired them to establish their own company—Studio Kvartal-95—in 1997, which officially launched the following year. The name "Kvartal-95" (Quarter 95) was inspired by a well-known road junction in the heart of Kryvyi Rih.

Olena contributed to several television projects, including the popular Liga Smichu (League of Laughter), a lighthearted comedy contest. She also wrote scripts for various TV series and films, showcasing her creative talents.

In 2008, Olena gave birth to their first child, Oleksandra, followed by their son, Kyrylo, in 2013. Just two years later, Volodymyr Zelenskyy became a household name in Ukraine through his role as Vasyl Petrovych Holoborodko, a humble history teacher who accidentally entered the presidential race after a viral online rant in the hit TV comedy Servant of the People. In a strange twist of fate, fiction became reality when, on January 21, 2019, Zelenskyy announced his candidacy for the Ukrainian presidential election.

In a stunning victory, Zelenskyy secured over 73% of the votes—nearly triple those of his opponent, Petro Poroshenko. This historic win made Volodymyr the youngest president of Ukraine and Olena the youngest First Lady, both having only recently turned 41.

Ms Zelenska was studying architecture at the time but later turned her attention to writing and now works as a screenwriter for Ukrainian production company Studio Quarter 95.

Olena Zelenska began her professional journey as a screenwriter, but her path to this career was not a straight line. Born Olena Kiyashko, she initially pursued a degree in architecture at Kryvyi Rih National University. However, her passion for storytelling eventually led her to switch her focus to writing.

It was during their university years that Olena met Volodymyr Zelenskyy, despite their earlier near misses at school and through mutual friends. At the time, Zelenskyy was a law student with a budding talent for comedy.

Olena's writing talent found a perfect outlet with the comedy troupe Studio Kvartal-95, where she contributed to the sketches and scripts that propelled Zelenskyy into the public eye. Her work helped set the stage for his iconic role as a fictional president in the hit TV show Servant of the People.

When Zelenskyy first revealed his ambitions to transition from entertainment to real-world politics, Olena was reportedly "aggressively opposed." She had enjoyed a quieter life away from the public eye, and the prospect of entering the political arena brought an inevitable and daunting shift into the spotlight.

Where is Olena Zelenska now?

The couple married in 2003 after eight years of dating and welcomed their daughter, Oleksandra, in July 2004 and their son, Kyrylo, in January 2013.

Ms Zelenska has remained by her husband's side in Kyiv after he refused to leave the country.

"(The) enemy has marked me down as the number one target," Mr Zelenskyy said in a video message a few days ago.

"My family is the number two target."

The pair met when she was studying architecture at university.

Ukraine’s First Lady Encourages Strength During Her Nation’s Darkest Times: ‘I Will Not Have Panic And Tears’

And like Zelensky, Zelenska has taken to social media to address her country during these war torn times. In a post on Friday, written alongside an image of a gleaming Ukrainian flag, she said: ‘My dear people, Ukrainians! I'm looking at you all today: everyone I see on TV, on the streets, on the internet. I see your posts and videos. And you know what? You are incredible. I am proud to live with you and in the same country … Today I will not have panic and tears. I will be calm and confident. My children are looking at me, I will be next to them and next to my husband and with you. I love you! I love Ukraine!’

In a second statement since the conflict began, Zelenska posted an image of a baby swaddled in blankets. She wrote: ‘This child was born in the Kyiv bomb shelter. This was to take place in completely different conditions, under peaceful skies. It is what children should see. But the main thing is that despite the war, there were doctors and caring people on our streets next to her. She will be protected and defended. Because you are incredible, dear compatriots. We are the army, the army is us. And children born in bomb shelters will live in a peaceful country that has defended itself.’

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