Ukrainian President Zelensky Volodymyr has caught global attention after Russia invaded his country. But what many do not know is how he ascended to power. His presidential candidacy was seen as a joke three years ago, until he won with 73% of the votes. Zelensky has also emerged as a convincing leader amid the raging crisis.
Born to Jewish Parents in a Russian speaking part of Eastern Ukraine, Zelensky had never dreamed of becoming President. For him, being the country's Head of State was a wild dream.
He studied for Law at the Kyiv National Economic University but later went into show business to become an actor and entertainer.
Zelensky later joined an entertainment group that was famous for mocking the political elite, never thinking that he would one day be part of them. He won Ukraine’s Dancing with The Stars in 2006 and has been on various romantic comedies.
Zelensky co-founded a multi-million dollar production company named “Kvartal 95” and starred in a TV series in a popular satirical comedy “Servant of the People”. Here, he played a school teacher who accidentally became president, perhaps, a foreshadow of his own life.
In one of the episodes, Zelensky’s character, a history teacher, went on a rant about Ukraine’s corrupt political system and a video of it went viral. Later on, Zelensky turned fiction to fact when he announced he’s running for President in real life. To many, this was just a joke from a man they had known as an entertainer.
His bid to win the election was presented as a reality show and he became widely known as a TV President. Zelensky ran on Servant of the People Party and his regional campaign manager was an actor from his crew.
During the campaign, he vowed to fight corruption, bring more money into Ukraine and ensure peace in the country.
In April 2019, he won in a landslide victory, breaking from a crowded pool of candidates. His first duty in office was to disband the Ukrainian parliament.
Zelensky has now become a world class leader seen on the frontline fighting the Russian invasion that began on February 24.
He has used social media to make his presidential addresses approachable and relatable and his actions in leading Ukraine have gone viral, and appealing to many countrymen.
His selfie videos of him in the streets of Kyiv wearing sweaters and t-shirts have gathered millions of views online and inspired the people of Ukraine.
Unlike other leaders who flee their countries during war, he declined offers from US officials to be evacuated from Kyiv saying, “I need ammunition, not a ride.” His address to the European Parliament on March 1 received a standing ovation.
He reportedly inspired several Ukrainians to pick up arms and defend the country. His leadership and courage has been lauded all over the world.
