From Comedian to President: 5 surprising facts about Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky; net worth and properties

Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, has a remarkable and multifaceted life. Here are five lesser-known facts about him:

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.

Net Worth of Volodymyr Zelensky

According to a Forbes Middle East report, despite social media reports claiming he’s 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.

Volodymyr Zelensky's real estate holdings

Zelensky owned a flat in Ukraine valued at around $1 million. This flat was part of his portfolio before he entered politics and reflected his lifestyle as a successful entertainer.

In 2019, Zelensky purchased a villa in Forte dei Marmi, Italy. The villa was bought for around $4 million, a noteworthy investment for someone in Zelensky’s position. However, in 2020, Zelensky sold this villa.

Zelensky's salary as Ukraine President

As president, Zelensky officially receives a modest salary by international standards. His monthly pay is approximately 28,000 Ukrainian hryvnias (about $930 USD).

Volodymyr 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.

Trump pauses all US military aid to Ukraine after angry clash with Zelensky

US President Donald Trump has paused military aid to Ukraine following his clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy last week, a White House official said, Reuters reported. The White House had no immediate comment on the scope and amount of aid affected or how long the pause would last.