Olena Volodymyrivna Zelenska[a][b] (néeKyiashko;[c] born 6 February 1978) is a Ukrainian screenwriter who has served asFirst Lady of Ukraine since 2019, as the wife of PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy.[2] Zelenska was named byTime as one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2023.[3]
Olena Kyiashko was born on 6 February 1978 inKryvyi Rih,Ukrainian SSR.[4][5] She studied at Kryvyi Rih Gymnasium No. 95, where she met her future husband,Volodymyr Zelenskyy.[5][6] In 2000, she graduated fromKryvyi Rih Technical University, majoring in Urban and Construction Management, receiving a specialist diploma. She also graduated from a music school with apiano class.[7]
In 2003, she and Zelenskyy married.[9][7] 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 aguinea pig.[10] Zelenska enjoys sports, likes to read and is a fan ofcinematography.[11] The family lives inKyiv.[12]
Olena Zelenska initiated such projects as the improvement of theschool food system[14] and the development of the National Strategy for a safe school environment,[15] the fight against domestic andgender based violence, thebarrier-free environment,[16] and the introduction of audio guides in Ukrainian museums around the world.[17]
On 3 December 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]
Olena Zelenska at the Fifth Ukrainian Women's Congress in 2021
On 11 September 2020, at the initiative of the President's wife, Ukraine joined theBiarritz Partnership,[22] undertaking commitments in the areas ofgender 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 ofUNICEF in Ukraine on healthy nutrition for children and parents was launched.[24][25][26]
On 23 August 2021, the FirstKyiv Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen took place in Kyiv at the initiative of Olena Zelenska.[40] Eleven first ladies from different countries joined the event. The main topic of discussion was thepost-COVID reality. At the end of the event, the participants approved a joint declaration.[41]
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.[42]
After the2022 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.[43] 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.[44] Zelenska made her first public appearance since the start of the invasion in a 8 May 2022 meeting withJill Biden inUzhhorod. Biden's trip to Ukraine, which coincided withMother's Day as celebrated in the US and in Ukraine, was not publicly disclosed in advance.[45]
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.[46]
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” in 2022.[47] 260,000 books in Ukrainian were printed for children who left their homes due to Russian aggression and found shelter in 20 countries.[46]
The project “Ukrainian bookshelf” is being carried out under the patronage of the First Lady.[48] It provides for the distribution ofUkrainian literature and its translations in the world's leading libraries. More than 20 countries have already joined the initiative.[46]
In the “Barrier-Free Handbook” launched by the First Lady,[46] 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.[49]
Zelenska also addressed theUS 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 theUkrainian Armed Forces to protect the country fromRussian invasion.[55][56]
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 23 July, Ukraine will host the secondSummit of First Ladies and Gentlemen dedicated to the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.[59] The event is planned to be held in the format of a telebridge between different countries of the world.[60] 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 theMinistry of Health of Ukraine. These ambulance vehicles are equipped with everything necessary to quickly and safely transport the seriously injured to the hospitals.
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."[64]
Zelenska was alleged by social media and several news outlets in France to have spent over €40,000 during ashopping spree in Paris, during her visit in December, however, these claims proved to be false and originally circulated by pro-Russia media.[65][66]
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.[68]
The Foundation has three key directions:medicine,education andhumanitarian 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.
Zelenska received ShEO Awards 2022 in the nomination "World Peace".[69] The award was founded byWprost, one of the most influential and oldest publications inPoland.
Zelenska meeting with US Secretary of StateAntony Blinken in 2022
On 9 November 2022, Olena Zelenska was included in theELLE 100 Women.[70]
On 6 December 2022, the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska received theHillary Rodham Clinton Awards, presented annually by theGeorgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security for exceptional leadership in recognizing theexceptional leadership in promoting women’s rights and creating a more peaceful and secure world for all.[71]
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