Zelensky's great-grandparents perished in the Holocaust, as did his grandfather's three brothers. As a 16-year-old, Zelenskyy received a scholarship to study in Israel, but turned it down under the influence of his father, who did not approve of his son traveling so far away.
Oleksandr Zelensky, his father, is a professor, a specialist in cybernetics - he holds a Ph.D. from the Moscow State Mining University and heads the Department of Computer Science and Applied Programming at the Krzyworoski Economic Institute (it is a branch of the Vadym Hetman National Economic University in Kiev). His mother, Rimma Zelenska, is an engineer and is currently retired.
The Ukrainian President holds his parents in high esteem and calls them his authorities. He recalls that he owes his education in truth and moral values to them.
