Famous Estonian People

Johann Urb is an Estonian-American actor and former model. He is known for playing important roles in popular films, such as 2012, Resident Evil: Retribution, and Lord of Shanghai. Apart from being an actor, Johann Urb is also a film producer; he has produced films like Beautiful Girl.

Carmen Kass is an Estonian actress, model, and former political candidate. Over the years, Kass has been the face of popular brands like Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior, Gucci, Valentino, Chanel, Michael Kors, Céline, and Calvin Klein. In 2000, she was adjudged one of the two supermodels of the era by Vogue magazine. 

Baruto Kaito is an Estonian politician who is currently working towards establishing economic relations between Japan and Estonia. A former professional sumo wrestler, Baruto achieved popularity in Japan where he won several championships. Since his retirement from sumo wrestling, Baruto Kaito has been involved in acting, mixed martial arts, business ventures, and politics.

Toomas Hendrik Ilves is an Estonian politician who served as the President of Estonia from 9 October 2006 to 10 October 2016. He also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs on two occasions; from 1996 to 1998 and again from 1999 to 2002. Toomas Hendrik Ilves also led the Social Democratic Party during the 1990s.

Endel Tulving is an Estonian-born Canadian experimental psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist. He is best known for his pioneering research on human memory. He earned a Ph.D. from Harvard University and began his academic work at the University of Toronto, where he remained for the rest of his career. He is a recipient of the Canada Gairdner International Award. 

Lennart Meri was an Estonian writer, politician, and film director. He played a key role in the Estonian independence movement. From 1992 to 2001, he served as the president of Estonia and is often counted among the most revered presidents of Estonia. In 2009, Tallinn Airport was renamed Lennart Meri Tallinn International Airport.

Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen was a Russian cartographer, naval officer, and explorer. He is best remembered for his role in Russia's first circumnavigation of the world. Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen also led another circumnavigation that led to the discovery of Antarctica. 

Robert Kurvitz is an Estonian novelist, video game designer, and musician. A founding member of a cultural association called ZA/UM, Kurvitz also went on to found a video game development company of the same name. ZA/UM is best known as the company that released the critically praised role-playing video game, Disco Elysium.

Edgar Savisaar is an Estonian politician who served as the first prime minister of independent Estonia. A founding member of the Popular Front of Estonia, Savisaar has been an important politician in Estonia. He is also one of the most controversial Estonian politicians; his opponents accuse him of corruption while his supporters see him as a savior of the poor.

Karl Ernst von Baer was a Baltic German explorer and scientist. A multi-talented personality, Baer was also a biologist, naturalist, geologist, geographer, and meteorologist. He is also regarded as the founding father of embryology. One of the founders of the Russian Geographical Society, Karl Ernst von Baer also served as the maiden president of the Russian Entomological Society.

Heinrich Lenz was a Russian physicist best remembered for formulating Lenz's law in electrodynamics. Lenz started his career as a teacher and later became the Dean of Mathematics and Physics at the University of St. Petersburg. From 1863 until his demise in 1865, Heinrich Lenz served as a Rector at the institution.

Jaan Kross was an Estonian writer best remembered for winning the International Nonino Prize in 1995 in Italy. He also received several nominations for the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature award during the early 1990s. Jaan Kross is also regarded as the most popular and most translated Estonian writer of all time.

Estonian fashion model Tiiu Kuik, whose modelling agencies include Marilyn New York, D Management Milan and Marilyn Agency in Paris, has walked the ramp for the likes of Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel. She also featured on covers of magazines like Vogue, Elle and Marie Claire; and in fashion advertising campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Valentino among others.  

Kirill Käro is a Russian actor best known for his portrayal of the title role in a detective TV series titled The Sniffer. He has also achieved popularity by playing lead roles in popular series' like Better Than Us and To the Lake.

Kaja Kallas is an Estonian politician and the current Prime Minister of Estonia. She achieved international fame during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 when she lent her support to Ukraine. Under Kaja Kallas' premiership, Estonia is currently playing an important role in Ukraine's war efforts against Russia.

Kersti Kaljulaid is an Estonian politician best known for her service as the President of Estonia from 10 October 2016 to 11 October 2021. Not only is she the first female president of Estonia since its independence in 1918, Kersti Kaljulaid was also the youngest president as she was just 46 years old at the time of her election.

Mihhail Kõlvart is an Estonian politician who is currently serving as the Mayor of Tallinn. Prior to his political career, Kõlvart was an accomplished national and international athlete who had achieved popularity in the disciplines of kickboxing, Taekwondo, and boxing. 

Konstantin Päts was an Estonian statesman best remembered for his service as the first President of Estonia from 24 April 1938 to 23 July 1940. One of the most influential and important politicians of independent Estonia, Konstantin Päts also served as the country's Prime Minister on five occasions.

Erki Nool is an Estonian former athlete who specialized in decathlon. He is best known for winning a gold medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. The following year, he won a silver medal at the World Championships in Edmonton. Erki Nool has also won gold medals at the European Championships and European Indoor Championships.

Andrus Ansip is an Estonian politician best known for his service as the 16th Prime Minister of Estonia from 12 April 2005 to 26 March 2014. Prior to his premiership, Ansip served as the Mayor of Tartu from 1998 to 2004. He then served as the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications from 2004 to 2005. 

Arnold Rüütel is an Estonian agricultural scientist and politician. He is best known for his service as the President of Estonia from 2001 to 2006. He also served as the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Estonia from 1990 to 1992.

Johan Laidoner was an Estonian statesman and general. He is best remembered for his service as the Commander of the Defence Forces during the Estonian War of Independence. He was also one of the most influential and important Estonian politicians during the interwar period.