Olha Petliura

Olha Opanasivna Petliura (née: Bilska; December 23, 1885 - November 23, 1959) was a spouse of Ukrainian political leader Symon Petliura.[1] She graduated from the Higher Courses for Women, Kyiv.

Olha Petliura
Ольга Опанасівна Петлюра
First Lady of Ukraine
In role
1919–1926
PresidentSymon Petliura
Preceded byRozalia Vynnychenko
Succeeded byMariya Livytska
Personal details
Born
Olha Bilska

(1885-12-23)December 23, 1885
Poltava Governorate
DiedNovember 23, 1959(1959-11-23) (aged 73)
Paris, France
Spouse(s)Symon Petliura
ChildrenLesya Petliura
OccupationFormer First Lady of Ukraine

Biography

Olha Bilska was born December 23, 1885. In 1908, while she was in Kyiv, she met Symon Petliura. In 1910, they married and the couple took an active part in the life of the Ukrainian diaspora in Moscow, arranging concerts and literary evenings. In 1911, they had a daughter, Ukrainian poet, Lesya Petliura.[2]

In 1924, the settled in Paris. Olha did embroidery work in order to ensure a decent living for her family.

On May 25, 1926, Symon was shot dead by a SPD agent Sholom Schwartzbard.[3][4] This greatly affected Olga's health: she fell ill and began to lose her hearing. In addition, her daughter fell ill and continued to live with this illness until 1941, after which she died at the age of under 30 years. Subsequently, her remains were transferred to the cemetery of Montparnasse and buried in the neighborhood with the grave of her father, Symon.

Olga Petliura died November 23, 1959. Buried in a family grave at the Montparnasse cemetery near her husband and daughter.

References
  1. Ukraine’s First President – Symon Petliura Ukrainians in Paris - Les Ukrainnienes de Paris: Part III
  2. Олександр Москалець (2 February 2012). "Повернуто спадщину Лесі Петлюри".
  3. Petlura Trial. TIME magazine of November 7, 1927 (in English)
  4. "FRANCE: Petlura Trial". TIME.com. November 7, 1927. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
Honorary titles
Preceded by
Rozalia Vynnychenko		 First Lady of Ukraine
1919-1926		 Succeeded by
Mariya Livytska
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