We knew little about Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, until a global digital cover of Vogue was released online. Titled "Portrait of Bravery: Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska", it featured portraits and interview of the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, taken by renowned portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz. This was the First Lady's second appearance in Vogue —the first being for Vogue Ukraine in 2019.
However, the 2022 magazine cover sparked controversy, with many claiming that the images undermined the severity of the Russia-Ukraine war. The portraits also included pictures of President Zelensky alongside the First Lady. While opinions on the photoshoot were divided, Olena was clear about her stance.
She addressed the criticism in an interview with the BBC, where she explained her decision. “Millions read Vogue, and to be able to speak to them directly—that was my duty. I believe it is more important to do something and be criticised for it than to do nothing.
” So, Who Is Olena Zelenska? The 46-year-old is a screenwriter who was President Zelensky’s high school sweetheart in their hometown of Kryvyi Rih, in southeast Ukraine. They began dating while they were at the university. According to The Independent, their love story took an quirky turn when Zelensky “won his wife over with the help of a VHS copy of the erotic thriller Basic Instinct.
" Their relationship began when the comedian-turned-president approached Olena while she wa.
