Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine-- who was snubbed by the US president and vice-president at a meeting in White House on Friday which earned him sympathy and goodwill around the world-- has a remarkable and multifaceted life.
He was a highly successful comedian and has got decent real estate holdings. According to a Forbes Middle East report, despite social media reports claiming he is a billionaire, Volodymyr Zelensky doesn’t come close to making it to the Forbes’ global wealth rankings.
Forbes said he was reportedly worth roughly $20 million when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
As president, Zelensky receives a very modest salary by international standards. His monthly pay is approximately 28,000 Ukrainian hryvnias (about Rs 81,000)
Zelensky's wealth has fluctuated significantly since he became president of Ukraine in 2019. Before his presidency, he was a highly successful entertainer and businessman, but his financial profile has changed dramatically since then.
Here are five lesser-known facts about Zelensky:
1) Before entering politics, Zelensky was a popular comedian and actor. He gained fame as the star of the Ukrainian television series Servant of the People.
2) Zelensky co-founded a production company called Kvartal 95, a production house behind popular comedy shows, sitcoms, and films.
3) Zelensky holds a law degree from the Kyiv National Economic University. He didn't pursue law as a profession.
4) Zelensky has advocated for digital initiatives, including digitizing public services and creating a more transparent government.
5) When Zelensky announced his presidential candidacy in 2018, many critics saw him as inexperienced and underestimated his chances. However, his outsider status, charm, and anti-corruption platform helped him win the presidency in a landslide victory in 2019 with over 70% of the vote.