From actor to warlord: 11 things to know about Volodymyr Zhelensky

Comedian, producer, writer, screenwriter, director and … politician. In a distinctive career, Volodymyr Zhelensky was able to rise to the presidency of Ukraine. Here are 11 things you need to know about him:

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Volodymyr Oleksandrovycth Zelensky was born on January 25, 1978 in Krievskaya, Ukraine. Her parents, Oleksandr Zhelensky and Rimma Zhelenska, were scientists of Jewish and Russian-speaking origin.

Like his Russian rival Vladimir Putin, Zhelensky is also a law graduate.

In addition to his studies, Volodymyr Zhelensky began doing comedy shows. His performances allow him to make himself known to the public.

In the 1990s, he made his debut on Ukrainian television by appearing on the comedy game show KVN. In 2003, he performed a variety show called “Quartier du Sawyer”.

In 2003, Zhelensky founded the production company Studio Quartel 95, which produces and hosts audio and visual content in Russian and Ukrainian.

Long before he was elected President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zhelensky became president of his homeland, the television series “Servant of the People”, which aired for the first time in 2015. He played a high school history teacher. He is also the co-author of the series.

Inspired by this series, he renamed the Servant of the People the Decisive Change Party, founded in 2016. The party is registered in 2018. The Popularist Party has defended itself in the fight against corruption and direct democracy. In December 2018, he announced his candidacy for the presidency of Ukraine.

In 2019, Petro Poroshenko was ousted and Volodymyr Zhelensky was brought in as head of Ukraine. During his inauguration, he announced that Rada (Parliament) would dissolve and hold early legislative elections, during which time he would win a majority of seats.

Volodymyr Zelensky has been married to television producer Olena Kyachko since 2003. The couple have two children: Oleksandra, born in 2005 and Kirillo, born in 2013.

In October 2019, the actor-turned-president held a press conference for more than 12 hours, breaking the longest press conference record in history. According to Ukrainian media, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko set a previous record at a press conference lasting more than seven hours.

In 2006, the comedian won the Ukrainian version of the competition “Dancing with the Stars”.