Russian troops invaded Ukraine at the behest of Vladimir Putin. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena Zelenska are trying to defend their country by any means necessary. Introducing the First Lady of Ukraine.
The burden of Ukraine rests on the shoulders of Volodymyr Zelenskyj, 44. Ever since Russian troops invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the world has been looking at the Ukrainian President with amazement, admiration and concern. The former comedian is fighting for his homeland in a statesmanlike manner and is trying to defend himself and his country against Vladimir Putin, 69, with all his might.
He pays a high price for this. In several video messages and phone calls with other heads of state, Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that he was “number one target” for the invaders, while his wife and two children are considered “number two”. Still, giving up is out of the question, not even for his wife, Olena Selenska, 44. She stands by her husband. Unconditionally, for over 25 years. And that, although the 44-year-old prefers to move behind the scenes.
The architect who prefers to write screenplays
Olena Selenska studied civil engineering at the National University of Krywyj Rih – it was here that she fell in love with her future husband in 1995. The two had previously met at their school together. Olena originally wanted to be an architect, but she discovered her passion for writing at university and began writing the screenplays for her friend Volodymyr’s cabaret group.
He later celebrated his breakthrough with his star role as a politician in the political comedy series “Servants of the People”, while Olena worked as a screenwriter and producer for the studio “Quarter 95” founded by Volodymyr. On September 6, 2003, the couple said yes, a year later their daughter Oleksandra, 17, was born, in 2013 their son Kyrylo, 9, saw the light of day. Olena and Volodymyr keep their children out of the public eye as much as possible.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy surprised his wife with the candidacy
When Zelenskyj first thought about going into politics, his wife was strictly against it. “I wasn’t very happy when I realized that these were the plans. I realized how everything would change and what difficulties we would face,” the 44-year-old explains in her interview with the Ukrainian edition of “Vogue”. ” in 2019.
Olena found out on January 1, 2019 from social networks that her husband had submitted his candidacy for the presidency, he announced his decision on the holiday program of TV channel 1+1. “When I asked: ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ Volodymyr replied: ‘I forgot.’ My husband knows how to surprise,” reveals Olena. “But seriously, we’ve talked about this for a long time and I’ve said I’ll always support him.”
Volodymyr Zelensky greets people as he arrives for the swearing-in ceremony at Parliament in Kyiv, Ukraine, May 20, 2019.
© Sergii Kharchenko/NurPhoto / Getty Images
“I am a non-public person”
And she does, even though she had to completely change her life since May 20, 2019. “I am a private person. But the new realities require their own rules and I try to abide by them,” she said shortly after the election. “I prefer to stay backstage. My husband is always in the front row, while I’m more comfortable in the shade. I’m not the center of the party, I don’t like cracking jokes. It’s not in my nature. But I’m up for it I’ve found reasons for doing public relations myself. One of them is the opportunity to draw people’s attention to important social issues,” reveals Selenska. As First Lady, the “health of children, equal opportunities for all Ukrainians and cultural diplomacy” are particularly important to her.
Prince William and Duchess Catherine receive Volodymyr Zelenskyj and Olena Zelenska at Buckingham Palace on October 7, 2020.
© Jonathan Brady/ WPA Pool / Getty Images
Olena Selenska has two jobs at the same time
Despite her initial doubts, she has been celebrated as a dutiful first lady since her husband was elected. In December 2019, “Focus” included her in the list of the 100 most influential Ukrainians, she was 30th at the time However, the 44-year-old also follows her “old” job. “I write the screenplays like I used to,” says Selenska in the “Vogue” interview. “But now you have to split your day between the President’s office and the Quarters and stick to the schedule.”
The First Lady loves Ukrainian fashion
In addition to her polite demeanor and her perfect English, an important tool is Olena’s style of clothing, writes “Vogue”. The First Lady sees her public appearances as an opportunity to share stories about her country and showcase garments made by Ukrainian designers. “I’m happy when people ask me in New York or Paris who designed my outfit. And they ask me too. And it wouldn’t be that exciting to name a big Western brand that they already know there, but how nice is to make Ukrainian designers known to the world,” says Selenska, explaining her choice of clothes.
As the president’s wife, she has “the opportunity to communicate with those who are close to power,” says Olena Selenska. “Officials’ doors do not close on the First Lady. I am not a politician and I have no right to interfere in the President’s work, but to be an intermediary between the people and the officials so that the latter hear the first , I can, and I’m really ready for it.”
“Today I will have no panic and no tears”
And so she makes herself heard even in times of crisis. Like her husband, Olena knows how to use social media to her advantage. Shortly after the Russian troops invaded, the First Lady took to Instagram. “My dear people, Ukrainians! I’m looking at you all today: everyone I see on TV, in the streets and on the internet. I see your posts and videos. And you know what? You guys are amazing. I’m proud to to live with you and in the same country…” are the moving words of the mother of two. She continued: “Today I will not 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! ”
It is the love for their homeland and the hope that one day everything will be fine that carries Olena, Volodymyr, their children and the whole of Ukraine through these dark days.
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Sources used: vogue.ua, instagram.com, dailymail.co.uk, tatler.com, nbcnews.com