Volodymyr Zelensky, born January 25, 1978, in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union), is a former actor and comedian who serves as the sixth President of Ukraine.[1][2][5] Raised by Jewish parents, he earned a law degree from Kyiv National Economic University in 2000 and built a career in entertainment, founding the production company Kvartal 95 in the late 1990s.[1][5][6] He starred as a corruption-fighting teacher-turned-president in the TV series *Servant of the People*, which later became the name of his political party.[1][2] In 2019, Zelensky entered politics as a novice, campaigning on an anti-corruption platform that resonated with voters disillusioned by the establishment.[2][3] He won the presidential election on April 21 with 73% of the vote in the runoff against incumbent Petro Poroshenko, then was sworn in on May 20 and dissolved parliament to trigger snap elections.[1][2][5] Early challenges included the ongoing Donbas conflict and Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014; Zelensky pushed anti-corruption laws and sought diplomatic resolutions.[3] Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, transformed his presidency.[1][2][3] Zelensky declared martial law, refused evacuation from Kyiv, and rallied national resistance, earning global acclaim for his leadership likened to Winston Churchill.[1][3][4] His daily video addresses condemned Russian actions, secured Western aid, and addressed forums like the UN and U.S. Congress.[1][3] Ukrainian forces recaptured territory in Kharkiv and Kherson in late 2022, with Zelensky visiting front lines.[2] He applied for EU membership amid the war.[3] As of 2026, Zelensky remains a wartime leader, credited with unifying Ukraine, mobilizing international support, and sustaining the nation's defense against Russian aggression, though facing ongoing military and strategic hurdles.[4] Married to Olena Zelenska, he has two children.[5]