Olena Zelenska
PERSONAL LIFE
Born on 6 February 1978 in Kryvyi Rih. Graduated in Architecture; pursued a career as a screenwriter.
Married to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since 2003; mother of two children. Assumed the role of First Lady in May 2019.
AREAS OF ACTIVITY
- Health of Future Generations
- Improving school nutrition and promoting a safe school environment. Spearheaded a kitchen factory in Bucha (opened 2023) and Lozova (2025) and launched the nationwide mental health program “How Are You?” in partnership with the WHO. The goal is to bring mental health support closer to every person through familiar, everyday settings: the local outpatient clinic, school, or resilience center.
- Improving school nutrition and promoting a safe school environment. Spearheaded a kitchen factory in Bucha (opened 2023) and Lozova (2025) and launched the nationwide mental health program “How Are You?” in partnership with the WHO. The goal is to bring mental health support closer to every person through familiar, everyday settings: the local outpatient clinic, school, or resilience center.
- Cultural Diplomacy
- A key area of the First Lady's work is promoting the Ukrainian language, literature, and culture on the international stage. Initiated Ukrainian-language audio guides in 59 countries (125 guides). Launched the Ukrainian Bookshelf in 75 countries (100,000+ publications) and the Books Without Borders project (280,000 books distributed in 20 countries). Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies – a global academic ecosystem that today brings together 100 universities, research centers, and institutions from 27 countries. The Coalition unites educational institutions around disseminating accurate knowledge about Ukraine — its history, culture, and present day — with particular emphasis on Crimea and Crimean Tatars as an integral part of the Ukrainian space.
- A key area of the First Lady's work is promoting the Ukrainian language, literature, and culture on the international stage. Initiated Ukrainian-language audio guides in 59 countries (125 guides). Launched the Ukrainian Bookshelf in 75 countries (100,000+ publications) and the Books Without Borders project (280,000 books distributed in 20 countries). Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies – a global academic ecosystem that today brings together 100 universities, research centers, and institutions from 27 countries. The Coalition unites educational institutions around disseminating accurate knowledge about Ukraine — its history, culture, and present day — with particular emphasis on Crimea and Crimean Tatars as an integral part of the Ukrainian space.
- Country of Equal Opportunities
- Promotes barrier-free accessibility, gender equality through the G7 Biarritz Partnership, combating domestic and gender-based violence, and the development of family-based care for children. As part of the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Environment and the First Lady's initiative "Without Barriers," ministries — in cooperation with civil society and international partners — are already implementing 25 projects.
- Promotes barrier-free accessibility, gender equality through the G7 Biarritz Partnership, combating domestic and gender-based violence, and the development of family-based care for children. As part of the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Environment and the First Lady's initiative "Without Barriers," ministries — in cooperation with civil society and international partners — are already implementing 25 projects.
- Public Diplomacy
- Initiated the annual Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen (2021–2026).
- Themes: «Soft Power» (2021)
- «Ukraine and the World: The Future We Are (Re)Building Together» (2022)
- «Mental Health: The Fragility and Resilience of the Future» (2023)
- «Protecting Childhood: Ensuring a Safe Future» (2024)
- «Education That Shapes the World» (2025)
- «World 2026: Finding Ground in Times of Uncertainty» (2026)
- Over five years, the Summit has brought together more than 55 first ladies and
gentlemen from around the world and has delivered concrete results.
- Charitable Activities
- Founded the Olena Zelenska Foundation (2022) - Its work is centered on children and young people, for whom it is essential to secure the conditions needed for healthy growth and development even amid war.
- The Foundation attracts international support and implements projects along three key directions: access to education and development, support for family- based forms of upbringing, and psychosocial support for children and youth. Its goal is to create opportunities for children in Ukraine to grow up in a family, to continue learning despite the circumstances, and to build inner resilience through support and opportunities for development.
Source: Office of The President of Ukraine, September 2026