The Intelligence from The Economist The Intelligence: meeting Ukraine’s first lady
Dec 1, 2023
James Miles, The Economist’s China writer at large, shares fascinating insights into China’s ambitious toilet revolution, grappling with disparities between urban and rural facilities. He also discusses the unexpected resilience of the superyacht industry, thriving despite economic challenges. Olena Zelenska speaks about her role as Ukraine’s first lady, advocating for mental health amid conflict, highlighting the importance of emotional well-being, and the struggle to maintain family connections during wartime.
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Zelenskyy's Early Life
- Olena Zelenska and Volodymyr Zelenskyy were high school sweethearts and started a comedy group together.
- She became a screenwriter, often writing scripts for him, before he became president.
Olena's Personality
- Olena Zelenska is described as shy and dislikes the spotlight, unlike her husband.
- Despite this, she has become a strong advocate for Ukraine.
An Unplanned Presidency
- Olena Zelenska found out about her husband's presidential run on television.
- She maintains a strong relationship with him despite wartime separation.