Oleksandr Zelensky is the head of the Department of Cybernetics and Computing Hardware at Kryvyi Rih State University. The 76-year-old professor is the father of the current president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The mathematician is famous for the role he has played over the years as a good teacher to quite a number of scientists from all over the Soviet Union. He has often been described as one of the best soviet specialists in Ukraine.
Throughout his years as an accomplished professor, he has had the support of his wife, Rimma Zelenska. The Ukrainian president seems to be the couple’s only child.
Here Are 10 Facts About Oleksandr Zelensky
1. He Is of Jewish Origin
Seymon Ivanovych Zelenskyy and his wife gave birth to Oleksandr in Kryvyi Rih, Soviet Ukraine on 23 December 1947. His father reportedly served in the red army’s 57th Guards Motor Rifle Division during World War II.
The Kryvyi Rih native reportedly traces his roots back as a Jew.
Read Also: Aleksandra Zelenskaya: How Old Is Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Oldest Child?
2. Oleksandr Zelensky Academic Background
The 76 year-old professor graduated from the Kryvyi Rih Mining Institute in 1972 with a degree in Mining Automation. He later became a Candidate of Technical Sciences in 1983, that same year he defended his dissertation on Automation Calculation of Reserves of Iron Ore Deposits in the ACS Quarry at the Moscow Mining Institute.
In 1992, Zelenskyy received the academic title of Associate Professor of Statistics, Economic Informatics, and Computer Science. After working on his doctoral dissertation on Methodological Foundations of Surveying Planning and Accounting in the Information System of Ore Quarry Management in 2003, he earned another academic title Professor of Informatics.
Between 2005-2007, he served as the head of the International Economic Contract on Subject Development of an Automated System of Geological Surveying Support in the Operating System.
With several years of experience, Zelenskyy became the head of the Department of Cybernetics and Computing Hardware at his alma mater, Kryvyi Rih State University of Economics and Technology.
3. His Wife Has Worked As an Engineer in the Past
According to an interview granted by the president of Ukraine, his mother spent almost all her life working as an engineer. However, that changed due to the health challenges she encountered while in Mongolia.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stayed in Mongolia for four years with his mother before they returned to Ukraine. After that time, Rimma (Rymma) reportedly ended her career as an engineer and has lived in the shadows.
4. Oleksandr Zelensky Refused to Let His Son Study in Israel
At the age of sixteen, the professor’s son won a free education grant to Israel after he passed the TOEFL. Despite how eager he was to travel, the younger Zelensky was forbidden from traveling by his father.
However, he later earned a law degree from the Kryvyi Rih Institute of Economics but has not worked in the legal field before.
5. His Son Started His Entertainment Career at the Age of 17
While still in college, Zelenskyy’s son joined a local competition team before he created the Kvartal 95 team, and between 1998 to 2003, the group performed in the major league, and in 2003, he started producing TV shows together with the comedy group.
He went ahead to feature in several shows and television series before he became the star of the television series Servant of the People where he acted as the president of Ukraine. He has worked in quite a number of Russian language production as well.
6. His Grandfather Was Murdered in the Holocaust
During World War II, European Jews were murdered, and that included some of Zelenskyy’s family members. According to reports, his grandfather, Semyon Ivanovich Zelenskyy, and his three brothers were murdered in what was called the Holocaust.
In honor of those who fought and defended Ukraine from the Nazis, the Ukrainian president once shared on his social media handle how grateful they should all be to their heroes including his grandfather and those who died in the war. The Ukrainians celebrate their fallen heroes on Victory Day on May 9.
7. Oleksandr Zelensky’s Son Became the First Jewish President of Ukraine in 2019
After his production company registered as a new political party as Servant of the People, the Ukrainian president announced his intention to run for office. On April 21, 2019, he was elected as the president of Ukraine winning more than 73% of the votes while his opponent, Petro Poroshenko won by 25%.
By winning the election, the former actor and comedian made history as the first Jewish president of Ukraine making Ukraine the second country to have both a Jewish President and Prime Minister.
However, Zelensky’s son became a wartime leader of his country during the Russian invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022. During the invasion, three assassination attempts were reportedly made on the president.
For his bravery and astute leadership, he has been referred to as the Jewish defender of Ukrainian democracy by the Times of Israel. On March 7, 2022, Czech President Milos Zeman awarded him with the highest state honors, Order of the White Lion.
8. He Currently Has Only Two Grandchildren
It is, however, not clear if the younger Zelensky is the only child of the professor and his wife. However, he and his wife, Olena Kiyashko welcomed their first child Oleksandra in July 2004 while their son Kyrylo was born in January 2013.
9. Where Is He Now?
Since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, nothing has been heard of Oleksandr Zelensky. However, his son’s family is reportedly in a safe location in Ukraine. Volodymyr revealed during a press conference that he has not seen his family since the attack on Ukraine began in February 2022.
10. What Is His Net Worth?
The 76-year-old mathematician has made quite a number of achievements in his career in academics but has not revealed his exact earnings as a professor.
However, his son earns a monthly salary of 28,000 Hryvnias as the president of Ukraine. The 46 year-old president declared in 2018 that his assets were worth 37 million Hryvnias.
