Volodymyr Zelenskyy was first a comedian, then a president, and now, due to recent events, one of the most recognizable figures in the world. He has been the figurehead for Ukraine since Russia crossed the border and started the war in 2022.

Things have grown complicated of late, but while Zelenskyy remains in the thick of a war, with an entire country on his shoulders, he has a lot of support — not only from his staff but also from his wife, Olena Zelenska.

The First Lady of Ukraine has not been seen as much as her husband, but despite the war, she has sought to try and give her countrymen and women some semblance of normality. Recently, Olena made a statement about the many children who were abducted from Ukraine and taken to Russia. Sadly, the update is far from positive.

Olena Zelenska and Volodymyr Zelenskyy know each other inside out. Together, they have faced extraordinary times, and the story of how they came to the Ukrainian presidency. Yet when her husband announced that he was running for president, Olena, it’s said, was far from happy.

Olena Zelenska—whose maiden name is Kiyashko—was born on February 5, 1978, in Kryvyi Rih, a city in central Ukraine, about 260 miles south of Kyiv. Zelenska and Zelenskyy grew up in the same city and were born just a week apart. However, it wasn’t until both were students at Kryvyi Rih National University that they met for the first time.

“I don’t remember the moment when Vladimir and I first met eyes. Everyone knew him at school. His company was always bright. If it was loud somewhere, then Zelenskyy was there,” Olena recalled.

Olena and Volodymyr met at university and soon after started dating. Volodymyr was a law student but also aspired to be a comedian. When they first met, it wasn’t quite love at first sight, at least not from Volodymyr’s point of view.