Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been at the forefront of a prolonged battle with Russia, finds himself in the spotlight yet again. A heated exchange took place at the White House last Friday between Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump during a press conference.
Amidst this, a journalist present questioned Zelenskyy, asking why he opts not to wear a suit, despite being a nation's president. Zelenskyy promptly replied that wearing a suit might follow after the war. Meanwhile, do you know what Zelenskyy did before becoming a president, and what exactly his net worth is?
The Extent of Zelenskyy's Wealth
Since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine War in 2022, questions about Zelenskyy's attire and his heightened debates with US President Trump have been quite astonishing. Despite being a president, Zelenskyy is often seen in casually military-inspired attire, sparking discussions about his wealth and financial status. His wardrobe frequently features olive green crewnecks, cargo pants, and combat boots.
Source: aajtak
At the time of Russia's assault on Ukraine, several media reports speculated that Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a billionaire. However, a Forbes report during that period suggested otherwise, estimating his net worth to be around 30 million dollars, and amidst ongoing conflict, it might be even lower.
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Actor and Comedian Before Presidency
Before stepping into his role as Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a film actor, producer, and comedian. He owned a production company, Kvartal-95 Studio, and sold a major stake when he assumed office in 2019. Following this transition, his salary became his primary source of income. Despite political involvement, his prior success in acting and comedy had carved out a unique identity and considerable earnings.
What Does Zelenskyy Own?
According to Forbes, Zelenskyy owns an apartment in one of Ukraine's most valuable buildings, with his real estate assets amounting to about 4 million dollars, including two additional apartments in Kyiv. His ownership stake in his production company augmented his net worth by approximately 11 million dollars. Further contributions to his wealth come from deposits and investments.
Source: aajtak
Reports suggest that Zelenskyy also possesses yachts and private jets, along with investments in companies like Meta and Tesla. However, exact figures are unavailable as per the Forbes report.
Discussing the net worth contribution of Zelenskyy's wife Ołena Zelenska, reports indicate she has bank deposits of about 2 million dollars, as well as some governmental bonds. The total value of her jewelry, vehicles, and other assets is estimated to be around 1 million dollars.
The Impact of the War on Ukrainian Billionaires
Reports indicate severe economic losses for Ukraine post the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, adversely affecting the country's billionaires. According to Forbes' 36th report on global billionaires during the Russia-Ukraine War, only seven billionaires remained in the country, with Zelenskyy not being one of them.
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Debate with Trump, Britain's Support
The aftermath of the heated debate between Trump and Zelenskyy seems to be escalating, with experts suggesting that Zelenskyy might have to either end this controversy with finesse or manage without US support. Meanwhile, reports highlight that the Trump administration might reconsider military aid to Ukraine.
However, in an encouraging turn of events, Ukraine and Britain signed a loan agreement of 2.26 billion pounds (2,48,63,86,46,000 rupees) a day after this debate to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities. Meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the British Prime Minister assured that 'the United Kingdom stands fully with Ukraine.'