Olena Zelenska: Iron Lady behind Ukraine’s President

She was once fiercely opposed to her husband’s plans to become Ukraine’s President. Now this Vogue cover star is risking her own life.

She was once fiercely opposed to her husband’s plans to become Ukraine’s President.

Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska is now risking her life by going into hiding with Volodomyr Zelensky and their two children.

Olena, 44, is the elegant tour de force behind the former comedian turned President, the most unlikely man to be staring down a dictator and the only leader in the world risking his skin against Vladimir Putin.

Olena Zelenska with her husband, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky.

In the hours after Russia first attacked, Olena wrote on Instagram: “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.”

Olena met then law student Zelensky at university, where she was studying to be an architect.

Olena Zelenska on the cover of Vogue Ukraine.

The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska.

Olena ended up becoming a writer for the comedy troupe that shot him to fame in his homeland, before he decided to enter politics.

Ukraine’s First Couple meet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace.

The elegant First Lady, who has graced the cover of Vogue, has won praise for her championing of Ukrainian fashion dsigners.

Olena Zelenska with husband Volodymyr Zelensky and their children. Picture: Instagram

Just a few years ago, Volodomyr Zelensky danced to Elvis’ Blue Suede Shoes wearing a pink jumpsuit on national television, was the voice of Paddington Bear and starred in a show as a history teacher who accidentally became president.

The son of Jewish parents was born in Ukraine when it was under Soviet rule and speaks Russian.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stunned the world with his steely resolve. Picture: AFP

He won Dancing with the Stars Ukraine in 2006 and made his name in the show Servant of the People.

In a clip from that show, Mr Zelensky ’s character says: “Why do our politicians come to power and make the same mistakes? It’s because they are mathematicians. The only thing they know is how to divide, add and multiply their own wealth,” his character said.

A clip from Mr Zelensky’s time on that Ukrainian television show has been watched more than 1 million times.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his former career as a comedian.

Zelensky during his stirring address after the Russian invasion. Picture: Ukraine Presidency / AFP

Volodymyr Zelensky, in his TV days, has had an unlikely rise to power.

His Dancing With the Stars video, where he wears that jumpsuit, has clocked up more than 4.5m views.

Mr Zelensky ran on an anti-corruption platform in 2019, winning 73 per cent of the vote against Petro Poroshenko.

Putin may have thought he was a joke because of his former career as a comedian, but he has shown a steely resolve.

Mr Zelensky once wanted to win an Oscar, but now he’s not just an actor, but a player on the world stage.

The leader on Dancing With The Stars in 2006.

Ukraine's President during a meeting with US President Joe Biden last December. Picture: AFP

He was dragged into a United States political storm, when his testimony about a call with former president Donald Trump led to impeachment proceedings.

“In my previous profession as a producer, screenwriter and actor, I wanted an Oscar and wanted to be very popular in the United States. Now I am very popular in the USA, but I didn’t want to find (it in) such a way,” he joked.

The 44-year-old became President of Ukraine in time to witness the gravest standoff between the Kremlin and Western powers since the end of the Cold War more than three decades ago. Picture: Ukrainian presidential press-service / AFP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits combat positions and meets with servicemen at the frontline with Russia-backed separatists in the Donetsk region on the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine last December. Picture: Ukrainian presidential press-service / AFP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stayed with his wife Olena and sons in the capital, despite the threat. Picture: AFP PHOTO / Ukrainian presidential press-service / handout

Mr Zelensky’s cutting sarcasm was on point last week, when Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi expressed concern for him when he missed a phone call.

“Today at 10:30am at the entrances to Chernihiv, Hostomel and Melitopol there was heavy fighting. People died,” he said in a Twitter post.

“Next time I’ll try to move the war schedule to talk to #MarioDraghi at a specific time. “Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to fight for its people.”

Mr Zelensky, who trained as a lawyer, has said he was Russia’s number one target but yet he refused an American offer to evacuate from Ukraine.

He has stayed with his wife Olena and daughter Aleksandra, 17, and son Kiril, 9 in the capital, despite the threat.

Mr Zelensky mentioned his son in his first speech to Ukraine’s parliament three years ago.

“After my victory at this election, my six-year-old son said ‘Hey Pop, I was watching TV, they say Zelensky is the president. So it means I am the president too?” Mr Zelensky said.

“Later I understood the truth. Because every one of us is the president now.”

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Originally published as Olena Zelenska: Iron Lady behind Ukraine’s President