Place of Birth & Education
Born in Tripoli, Lebanon. He moved to Ukraine in 1990 following his brother Omar. In 1991 he entered the Faculty of Journalism of Dnepropetrovsk State University. Received Ukrainian citizenship in 2005.
Career
In 1995, the Arfush brothers created one of the first FM radio stations, Super-Nova, whose shares were sold in 2005.
In 1997, they became producers of the Miss Europe competition in Kiev.
In 1998-2000. represented the interests of the modeling agency “Elite” in Ukraine, and also organized the international competition of models “Elite Model Look”.
In 2000, Arfush became the first UN Goodwill Ambassador for the fight against AIDS in Ukraine.
In 2002, together with his brother, he established a beauty contest “[email protected] World “, the final of which was held in Libya. In the same year, he founded the creative BTL agency Super Nova Agency, which is engaged in the promotion and promotion of new brands and products, as well as PR support for politicians and entrepreneurs.
In 2003, the brothers began publishing Paparazzi’s magazine about the life of show business stars and those in power. In 2005, the magazine published an article dedicated to the son of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, Andrei Yushchenko, after which Walid Arfush’s Bentley was set on fire, allegedly in revenge and for intimidation.
In 2005, the publishing house “Folio” published Arfush’s book “Sex. Murder. A Million”, in which the author’s presentation tells about the resonant events in Ukraine in recent years.
In 2006, Arfush and his brother acquired the rights to hold three Miss Europe beauty contests, the first of which took place in the same year in Kiev. A year later, the Arfush brothers established a new beauty contest “Miss ex-USSR” or “Miss CIS”.
In 2006, at the invitation of the famous Ukrainian director Andrei Benkendorf, Walid starred in his film “Old Colonels” as the bandit Arthur.
In 2007 he created the public association “SOS! Racism!”, Became its general secretary.
In 2008 he became a “chronicler” in Savik Shuster’s TV program “Shuster Live”.
From August 2009 to February 2010 Arfush participated in the election campaign of the presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych as a member of the candidate’s creative council and head of the foreign press department.
Since March 2010 – First Deputy Director General of the National Television Company of Ukraine Yegor Benkendorf.
Since June 2014 – chapter Euronews in countries CIS, president of the coordinating council of the Ukrainian version of Euronews.
In 2017, Arfush acquired HDFashion & LifeStyle TV channel.
Since 2019 – Vice President of the international TV channel Euronews.
Family and environment
He is friends with ex-deputy head of the Presidential Administration Anna German. In 2008 he converted to Christianity, politician Nestor Shufrich and singer Irina Bilyk became his godparents.
From his first wife Natalia Dementieva, he has two children: son Karim (born 1996) and daughter Liza (born 2000). She currently lives in a civil marriage with Lida Petrova, from whom she has a second daughter, Emily (born in 2004) and a son, Adam.