Basic Information
| Full Name | Zenobia Xenakes |
|---|---|
| Born | Circa 1930 (Piraeus, Greece) |
| Parents | Constantine Xenakes (Father), Vasiliki Kourelakou (Mother) |
| Spouse | Donald Henry Fey |
| Children | Tina Fey (Elizabeth Stamatina Fey), Peter Fey |
| Occupation | Brokerage Employee |
| Nationality | Greek-American |
The Enigmatic Zenobia Xenakes
There are some people whose names might not make the headlines, but whose stories are woven into the fabric of pop culture in unexpected ways. Zenobia Xenakes is one of those quietly important figures, standing at the heart of a family that would go on to change the landscape of comedy and entertainment in America. Born in Piraeus, Greece, Zenobia would later become part of the Greek-American diaspora, marrying Donald Henry Fey and having two children, the most famous being Tina Fey.
Despite Zenobia’s relatively low public profile, her Greek heritage played a pivotal role in shaping Tina Fey’s identity. Tina has often spoken about her family’s background, calling out the immigrant experience as part of the foundation of her own sense of humor—an immigrant’s ability to laugh through hardship, to make light of life’s challenges. But Zenobia’s story is more than just a footnote in Tina’s rise to fame. Her roots go deep, with a history tied to the islands of Greece.
Zenobia’s parents, Constantine Xenakes and Vasiliki Kourelakou, were both born in Greece—her father hailing from the Greek island of Ikaria, and her mother from the village of Petrina in Laconia. Their migration to America, like so many others, was an act of hope, a belief that life could be better for their children in a new world.
Zenobia’s Family Tree: A Legacy of Laughter and Greek Roots
The Xenakes family tree is a bit like a classic Greek tragedy—filled with moments of struggle, resilience, and eventual triumph. Zenobia’s roots are deeply intertwined with the immigrant story that is the backbone of America. But within her own family, she was not just the mother of Tina Fey, but the anchor of a family steeped in culture, identity, and values.
Meet the Family
Zenobia’s life wasn’t just defined by her work as a brokerage employee—it was also the small, intimate moments with her family that likely shaped Tina’s worldviews. Let’s introduce you to the players in this family saga:
Donald Henry Fey (Husband)
A university administrator and grant proposal writer, Donald Henry Fey played an equally understated role in Tina’s life. Though he stayed out of the public eye for the most part, his impact on Tina’s upbringing was clear. Zenobia and Donald were a team, and their partnership laid the groundwork for Tina’s early life. While Zenobia gave Tina her Greek roots, Donald offered her an American perspective, melding the two in a way that would later make Tina’s comedy so relatable to a wide audience.
Tina Fey (Daughter)
The child of Zenobia and Donald, Tina Fey would go on to become one of the most influential comedians of her generation. From her breakout role on Saturday Night Live to creating 30 Rock, Tina’s success is, in part, a reflection of her upbringing. Her humor, often based on sharp wit and a self-deprecating approach to her own experiences, echoes the values of resilience and laughter Zenobia passed down to her.
Peter Fey (Son)
Zenobia’s son, Peter Fey, is Tina’s older brother. While Peter is less in the public eye than Tina, he remains an integral part of the family. Though little is known about him, one can imagine that he, too, had a front-row seat to the unique dynamic between Zenobia and Donald—a quiet but powerful influence on Tina’s upbringing.
The Immigrant Experience: More Than Just a Family Story
Zenobia’s life story isn’t just the background of a famous celebrity; it’s an embodiment of the immigrant journey, a narrative repeated across generations of families in the U.S. As the daughter of Greek immigrants, Zenobia’s life was shaped by that struggle for identity. In the kitchen of their American home, there were no doubt stories of the old country—of hardship, migration, and the pursuit of a new life. Tina Fey has described her mother as “warm, funny, and a little bit crazy,” but there’s no mistaking the cultural weight carried by Zenobia’s Greek heritage.
This cultural foundation would go on to be a source of material for Tina, who brought her immigrant background into her work. Tina’s ability to mine humor from her family dynamics—like the awkward family dinners and the rich stories of her Greek background—comes from the kind of upbringing Zenobia and Donald created. They instilled in their children an understanding of what it means to be both “American” and “Greek,” two identities that blend together in sometimes messy, hilarious ways.
FAQ
Who was Zenobia Xenakes?
Zenobia Xenakes was Tina Fey’s mother. She was born in Greece and later moved to the United States, where she married Donald Henry Fey and had two children. Zenobia’s Greek heritage played a key role in Tina’s personal and professional life.
What did Zenobia Xenakes do for a living?
Zenobia worked as a brokerage employee, though much of her life is not publicly detailed. Her main legacy is as the mother of Tina Fey, whose public success has kept Zenobia’s memory alive.
How did Zenobia Xenakes influence Tina Fey?
Zenobia’s influence on Tina is felt in Tina’s humor, which often draws from her immigrant background and family dynamics. Tina has acknowledged the role her mother played in shaping her worldview and comedic voice.
Does Zenobia Xenakes have any other children?
Yes, Zenobia Xenakes had two children: Tina Fey and her older brother Peter Fey. Peter remains largely out of the public eye.
Where did Zenobia Xenakes’s family come from?
Zenobia’s parents were from Greece—her father was from the island of Ikaria, and her mother hailed from Petrina in Laconia. Zenobia was born in Piraeus, Greece, before immigrating to the United States.
Was Zenobia Xenakes involved in the entertainment industry?
While Zenobia was not directly involved in the entertainment industry, her Greek-American background and family dynamics were integral to Tina Fey’s rise in comedy and entertainment.
Is there any public information about Zenobia Xenakes’s death?
There is little information about Zenobia Xenakes’s later years, and the details surrounding her death remain private. Most of what we know about her comes through her connection to her daughter, Tina Fey.
