Olena Kyiashko was born on 6 February 1978 in
Kryvyi Rih,
Soviet Ukraine.[5][6] She studied at Kryvyi Rih Gymnasium No. 95, where she met her future husband,
Volodymyr Zelenskyy.[6][7] In 2000, she graduated from
Kryvyi Rih Technical University, majoring in "Urban and Construction Management", receiving a specialist diploma. She also graduated from a music school with a
piano class.[8]
In 2003, she and Zelenskyy married.[9][8] Olena and Volodymyr Zelenskyy are the parents of two children: daughter Oleksandra (born on 15 July 2004) and son Kyrylo (born on 21 January 2013).[9] The family has several pets: two dogs, a cat, a parrot, and a
guinea pig.[10] Zelenska enjoys sports, likes to read and is a fan of
cinematography.[11] The family lives in
Kyiv.[12]
Professional Activity
Olena Zelenska has been a scriptwriter for
Kvartal 95 since its foundation.[6]
Olena Zelenska initiated such projects as the improvement of the
school food system[14] and the development of the National Strategy for a safe school environment,[15] the fight against domestic and
gender based violence, the
barrier-free environment,[16] and the introduction of audio guides in Ukrainian museums around the world.[17]
On December 3, 2020, the President signed the Decree “On ensuring the creation of a barrier-free space in Ukraine”. At the initiative of the First Lady, the National Barrier-Free Strategy—standards of equal opportunities for all population groups—was adopted, as well as the Action Plan for overcoming barriers—a road map for each department—was developed.[18][19][20]
On September 11, 2020, at the initiative of the President's wife, Ukraine joined the
Biarritz Partnership,[22] undertaking commitments in the areas of
gender equality and the development of barrier-free public space.[23]
In 2021, a large-scale reform of school meals took place. A new full-fledged 4-week menu was presented, the modernization of food storage facilities began, and the behavioral communication campaign of
UNICEF in Ukraine on healthy nutrition for children and parents was launched.[24][25][26]
On August 23, 2021, the First
Kyiv Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen took place in Kyiv at the initiative of Olena Zelenska.[41] Eleven first ladies from different countries joined the event. The main topic of discussion was the
post-COVID reality. At the end of the event, the participants approved a joint declaration.[42]
The purpose of the summits is to unite the First Ladies and Gentlemen to create an international platform to share experiences and implement joint projects for the well-being of people in the world; to discuss the current problems and activities of the First Ladies and Gentlemen to solve them; to make the voice of every first lady and gentleman more influential.[43]
Activities since the Russian invasion
After the
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Zelenska was described as Russia's target number two. In mid-March, she was in Ukraine at an undisclosed location. She released a statement highlighting the names of children killed during the invasion.[44] During the war, her efforts have focused on humanitarian aid, especially the evacuation of children with disabilities through Poland and the importing of incubators to hospitals in warzone areas.[45] Zelenska made her first public appearance since the start of the invasion in a 8 May 2022 meeting with
Jill Biden in
Uzhhorod. Biden's trip to Ukraine, which coincided with
Mother's Day as celebrated in the US and in Ukraine, was not publicly disclosed in advance.[46]
At the initiative of the First Lady, projects in the field of medicine are being developed: evacuation of children with severe cancer diseases abroad with further treatment there, the search for equipment for children's hospitals, in particular, incubators for newborns.[47]
In the humanitarian sphere, Olena Zelenska takes care of sending orphans for a long-term stay abroad. The First Lady also oversees humanitarian aid to family-type orphanages, large families, and elderly people who have remained and live in the liberated territories to reinforce the connection with the Homeland for forcibly displaced people, the First Lady initiated the project “Books without borders”.[48] 260,000 books in Ukrainian were printed for children who left their homes due to Russian aggression and found shelter in 20 countries.[47]
The project “Ukrainian bookshelf” is being carried out under the patronage of the First Lady.[49] It provides for the distribution of
Ukrainian literature and its translations in the world's leading libraries. More than 20 countries have already joined the initiative.[47]
In the “Barrier-Free Handbook” launched by the First Lady,[47] a new section has been created with wartime tips and instructions for families with disabilities, the elderly and their loved ones, and people with disabilities.[50]
In May 2022, Olena Zelenska initiated the creation of the National Program of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support.[51] The program is designed to help Ukrainians overcome the consequences of the traumatic events of the war.[52]
Zelenska also addressed the
US Congress on the second day of her visit, becoming the first First Lady of another country to speak before the US Congress. She called for more military aid to the
Ukrainian Armed Forces to protect the country from
Russian invasion.[56][57]
I appeal to all of you on the behalf of those who were killed, on behalf of those people who lost their arms and legs, on behalf of those who are still alive and well and those who wait for their families to come back from the front. I'm asking for something now I would never want to ask. I am asking for weapons. Weapons that would not be used to wage a war on somebody else's land, but to protect one's home and the right to wake up alive in that home.
On July 23, Ukraine will host the second
Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen dedicated to the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.[60] The event is planned to be held in the format of a telebridge between different countries of the world.[61] Within the Summit, fundraising for C-type ambulance vehicles was announced. USD 6.4 million was raised in total, allowing to purchase 84 ambulance vehicles for the
Ministry of Health of Ukraine. These ambulance vehicles are equipped with everything necessary to quickly and safely transport the seriously injured to the hospitals.
On 19 September 2022, Zelenska attended the
state funeral in
London of
Queen Elizabeth II to pay her respects to the late monarch "on behalf of all Ukrainians".[63]
On 16 May 2023, Zelenska visited South Korea in her capacity as a special presidential envoy to Zelensky.
President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea said "South Korea will provide active assistance to her country in close coordination with the international community."[65]
Zelenska was alleged by social media and several news outlets in France to have spent over €40,000 during a
shopping spree in Paris, during her visit in December, however, these claims proved to be false and originally circulated by pro-Russia media.[66][67]
The Foundation's primary goal is to restore Ukraine's human capital so that every Ukrainian feels physically and mentally healthy, protected, and able to exercise their right to education, work, and build a future in Ukraine.[69]
The Foundation has three key directions:
medicine,
education and
humanitarian aid. Within these areas, it will provide targeted assistance, invest in reconstructing preschool and school education institutions, polyclinics, and outpatient clinics, and provide grants for training and scientific developments. The Foundation sees foreign businesses and other international foundations as its key partners and donors.
Awards
Zelenska received ShEO Awards 2022 in the nomination "World Peace".[70] The award was founded by
Wprost, one of the most influential and oldest publications in
Poland.
On November 9, 2022, Olena Zelenska was included in the
ELLE 100 Women.[71]
On December 6, 2022, the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska received the
Hillary Rodham Clinton Awards, presented annually by the
Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security for exceptional leadership in recognizing the exceptional leadership in promoting women’s rights and creating a more peaceful and secure world for all.[72]