On Tuesday the 16th, at the Italian Chamber of Deputies, a powerful voice will take the stage. Natalia Kholodenko, widely known as the “Oprah Winfrey of Ukraine,” will receive the prestigious “Eccellenze Sud del Mondo” Award.
Before the war, Kholodenko was a household name, a television personality, and a psychologist. Today, she is a symbol of resilience. Since the dawn of the invasion in 2022, she has dedicated herself to the mental health of her nation, organizing massive online psychological support events and advocating for the emotional survival of refugees.
In this exclusive interview, Natalia Kholodenko opens up about her personal journey from stardom to refugee status, the therapeutic power of creativity, and why she believes that “your future is bigger than your trauma.”
From Stardom to Survival: The First Moments of War
Q: At dawn on February 24, 2022, your life changed radically. What do you remember most vividly about those first hours, and how did they shape the woman and professional you are today?
Natalia Kholodenko: I remember standing in a long line of refugees with my six-year-old daughter. Above us, the sky was lit up with bombing and explosions, shaking the air and the ground around us. I was filled with fear and disbelief. Then my daughter looked up at the sky, smiled, and said, “Mama, it is Christmas. Where are the presents?” For her, fireworks had always meant happy holidays and celebration.
In that moment, I understood something very deep about the innocence of children. They search for light even inside horror. I chose not to correct her. I chose to protect her joy. That moment shaped me forever. It taught me that even in the darkest times, we must allow space for hope, tenderness, and humanity. As a woman and as a professional, I learned that protecting the inner world is as important as surviving the outer reality.
Q: From being a public figure known as the “Oprah Winfrey of Ukraine,” you suddenly found yourself a refugee. How does one psychologically navigate such an abrupt transformation of identity?
NK: You must allow yourself to grieve. You lose your home, your status, and the life you knew. But when everything external is taken away, you discover what cannot be taken. Values, inner strength, and purpose remain. Slowly, you rebuild yourself from the inside, not from titles, but from meaning.
Q: In your view, what is the difference between surviving a trauma and transforming it into an evolutionary force for growth?
NK: Survival is about staying alive and functioning day by day. Transformation begins when you look at pain with honesty and compassion. Trauma becomes a force for growth when it teaches you empathy, wisdom, and responsibility. The pain stays, but it no longer decides your future.
The Psychological Marathon: Healing a Nation
Q: The Ukrainian Psychological Marathon 2025 is an unprecedented initiative. What was the most urgent need of mothers fleeing the war that you set out to address?
NK: Mothers needed emotional safety and understanding. They were carrying the fear of their children while hiding their own tears. Many had no space to feel weak. The Marathon was created to give them that space. I had 40,000 women from 73 countries join on a live stream. It was a place to breathe, to cry, to feel human again, and to begin healing.
Q: More than 60% of your work is provided pro bono, a powerful ethical choice. From a psychological perspective, what does it mean to you to invest so deeply in the collective good?
NK: For me, this choice restores balance in a broken world. War destroys trust and fairness. Working pro bono is my way of saying that every human life has equal value. Giving in this way keeps my heart open and reminds me why I chose this profession.
Q: You encourage people to sing, draw, and express emotions creatively. Why is creativity so central to the process of healing from trauma?
NK: Trauma often lives where words cannot reach. Creativity gives emotions a safe path out. When people sing or draw, their bodies relax and their hearts open. Creativity reminds them that they are still alive, still capable of beauty, even after great loss.
Building Bridges Through Culture and Resilience
Q: You have described your collaborations with Gloria Gaynor and Kathy Sledge as “rays of love.” What role do music and culture play in building bridges between communities wounded by war?
NK: Music and culture speak directly to the soul. They connect people without explanations or borders. Both Kathy Sledge and Gloria Gaynor sang verses of their iconic songs “We Are Family” and “I Will Survive” in Ukrainian. This sent a powerful message to Ukrainian women that despite borders, we are all one family that will help each other survive. In moments of deep pain, music becomes a hand reaching out, saying you are not alone. These connections help wounded communities feel seen and supported.
Q: What do you believe the world can learn from the resilience of Ukrainian women?
NK: The world can learn that real strength is gentle and strong at the same time. Ukrainian women protect their families, support others, and continue to love life despite loss. Their resilience is quiet, but it is powerful and lasting.
Q: On Tuesday the 16th, you will share your testimony at the Italian Chamber of Deputies and receive the “Eccellenze Sud del Mondo” Award. What does this recognition mean to you?
NK: This recognition is not only for me. It belongs to Ukrainian women whose voices are still unheard. It reminds me of my personal motto, that your future is bigger than your trauma, even in times of great fear and uncertainty. It is a responsibility to continue speaking, healing, and building trust where it has been broken.
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