Amid the ongoing Russian invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zalenskyy has emerged as a global hero. But, who really is he? Let’s dive in. Zalenskyy was born to two Jewish parents in southern Ukraine. Like most from the region, he grew up speaking Russian, but also became fluent in Ukrainian and English. He attended Kryvyy Rih […]
Amid the ongoing Russian invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zalenskyy has emerged as a global hero.
But, who really is he? Let’s dive in.
Zalenskyy was born to two Jewish parents in southern Ukraine. Like most from the region, he grew up speaking Russian, but also became fluent in Ukrainian and English. He attended Kryvyy Rih Economic Institute, the local campus of Kyiv National Economic University, and in 2000 he graduated with a law degree.
While he was licensed to practice law, his career took a different direction.
During his time in university, Zalenskyy was active in theater, which would eventually become his primary focus.
Yes, Zalenskyy is an actor - as well as a comedian and producer.
In 2003, Zalensky co-founded Studio Kvartal 95, a production company that would eventually become one of Ukraine’s most successful entertainment studios. Zalenskyy served as artistic director of the studio until 2011, when he was named general producer of Inter TV.
After returning to Kvartal 95 as artistic director in 2013, his love of acting merged with politics.
In February 2014, Ukraine’s government was toppled after months of protests.
The events served as the plotline for Servant of the People, in which Zalensky played Vasiliy Goloborodko, a history teacher who becomes an online star after a student films him delivering a passionate address against corruption. The show turned out to be wildly successful, with Goloborodko becoming president.
In 2018, Kvartal 95 registered Servant of the People as a political party in Ukraine.
Essentially, Zalenskyy followed the plotline of his television show all the way to the top.
On April 21, 2019, Zalenskyy was elected president of Ukraine with a whopping 73 percent of votes.
So…does it truly come as a surprise that Zalenskyy is on the ground, military gear and all, fighting for his country?
