Finnish
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What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about Finland? Endless winter, frozen lakes, subzero temperature and, pure wilderness! You might be right about these things. But then, there is more to it than just its quirky, eerie, snow smothered image. Agreed, Finnish are skittish by nature and just way too humble to blow their own trumpet. But that does not, in any way, miniscule the importance of the country and its people. In fact, you will be pleasantly surprised to learn that behind its snow-covered façade lies a cutting-edge urban space and a gamut of industrious men and women. Yes, the inspirational country of the Finns teems with memorable people whose contribution in the upliftment of the land and the world at large has been colossal. Get to know all about the lives of some famous Finnish people in the biographies below that charter the lives and feats of these men through their timelines, trivia, and interesting facts.
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1
Kimi Räikkönen(Finnish Racing Driver Nicknamed ‘The Iceman’ and Winner of the 2007 Formula One World Championship)
Birthdate: October 17, 1979
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Espoo, Finland
With 21 Grands Prix wins Kimi-Matias Räikkönen, nicknamed ‘The Iceman’, thrived as the most successful Finnish racing driver with regard to Formula One race wins. He was the winner of the 2007 Formula One World Championship competing for Scuderia Ferrari. He took 103 podium finishes and with this became one of the five drivers who have taken more-than 100 podiums.
Birthdate: August 28, 1989
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Nastola, Finland
Valtteri Bottas is a Finnish racing driver who competes in popular promotions like Formula One, where he is currently competing for Alfa Romeo. Over the course of his career, Valtteri Bottas has won several prestigious awards like the Sky Sports Award and Lorenzo Bandini Trophy. In 2019, he was named AKK-Motorsport Driver of the Year.
3
Nico Rosberg(German-Finnish Formula One Racing Driver and 2016 World Drivers' Championship Winner)
Birthdate: June 27, 1985
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Wiesbaden, Germany
The son of former Formula One world champion Keke Rosberg, Nico Rosberg followed in his father's footsteps to win the 2016 Formula One world championship. After announcing his retirement as a racing driver, Nico Rosberg became an eco-entrepreneur, helping with the construction of self-autonomous and electric vehicles. Rosberg has also worked with charities like Viva con Agua de Sankt Pauli.
4
Mika Häkkinen(Former Racing Driver and One of the 3 Finnish F-1 Drivers to Win a World Championship)
Birthdate: September 28, 1968
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Vantaa, Finland
Mika Häkkinen was 5 when his parents got him a go-kart for racing near their home. He later grew up to be one of the 3 Finnish F-1 drivers to earn a World Championship. Noted for his speed, he earned the nickname The Flying Finn.
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Jean Sibelius(Finnish Composer Known for His 'Seven Symphonies' and His Tone Poem 'Tapiola')
Birthdate: December 8, 1865
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Hämeenlinna, Finland
Died: September 20, 1957
Jean Sibelius was a Finnish violinist and composer. Widely regarded as Finland's greatest composer, Sibelius' music is credited with having kindled nationalism in Finland during the country's struggle for independence from Russia. His work has inspired other important composers like Douglas Lilburn. The International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition, which is held every five years, is named after him.
6
Simo Häyhä(Finnish Military Sniper in World War II)
Birthdate: December 17, 1905
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Rautjärvi, Finland
Died: April 1, 2002
Simo Häyhä was a Finnish sniper who served in the Winter War against the Soviet Union, in 1939–1940. He had killed 500 men in the war and received many awards for his exploits. His face was disfigured by a Red Army bullet, and he later retired to a farm.
Birthdate: June 4, 1867
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Askainen, Finland
Died: January 27, 1951
Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim was a Finnish statesman and military leader who served as the leader of the White Guard during the Finnish Civil War of 1918. He also played a key role during World War II where he served as the Chief of Defense of Finland's defense forces. Thanks to his achievements, Mannerheim is regarded as Finland's greatest statesman.
Birthdate: November 16, 1985
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
Finland’s 46th prime minister, Sanna Marin has also previously been the country’s minister of transport and communications. A Social Democratic Party member, she was dragged into a controversy after a video of her partying and dancing became viral in 2022, with critics accusing her of drug abuse.
Birthdate: August 20, 1910
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kirkkonummi, Finland
Died: September 1, 1961
Eero Saarinen was a Finnish-American industrial designer and architect best remembered for his impressive designs for monuments and buildings. He is credited with designing important structures, such as the Washington Dulles International Airport, the TWA Flight Center, and the Gateway Arch. He is widely regarded as one of the 20th-century's most prominent American architectures.
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Linus Torvalds(Finnish Software Engineer Who is the Main Developer of the 'Linux' Operating System)
Birthdate: December 28, 1969
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Helsinki, Finland
Finnish software engineer Linus Torvalds developed the open-source software Linux kernel, the Git system, and the scuba dive planning software Subsurface. Named to Time 100 and inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame, he has also written an autobiography. He is married to Finnish karate champion Tove Torvalds.
Birthdate: March 29, 1990
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Kotka
Teemu Pukki is a Finnish football player who has played for the Finland national team in important tournaments like the UEFA European Football Championship and Baltic Cup. He also plays in prominent leagues like the English Football League and is currently playing for the Norwich City Football Club.
12
Lauri Markkanen(Finnish Professional Basketball Player Who Plays in the 'Forward' Position)
Birthdate: May 22, 1997
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Vantaa, Finland
Finnish basketball player Lauri Markkanen is best known for his present stint with the NBA team Cleveland Cavaliers. The 3-time Finnish Player of the Year has also played for the Chicago Bulls earlier. Known for his near-7-foot frame, he has also been an NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2018.
Birthdate: February 3, 1898
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Kuortane
Died: May 11, 1976
Finnish architect Alvar Aalto initially had his studies interrupted by the Finnish Civil War, which saw him fighting for the White Army. His first architectural design was for his parents’ house. He had experimented with furniture and glassware, too. His works showcase a move from classicism to functionalism.
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Joonas Suotamo(Finnish Actor Best Known for Playing 'Chewbacca' in 'Star Wars' Film Series)
Birthdate: October 3, 1986
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Espoo, Finland
Joonas Suotamo is a Finnish actor and retired basketball player. Although he started his career as a basketball player, Suotamo has gained much popularity for his portrayal of Chewbacca in the famous Star Wars film series. He played the role in movies like The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker.
15
Lauri Törni(Finnish Army Officer Who Fought Under Three Flags in the Winter War and the Continuation War)
Birthdate: May 28, 1919
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Viipuri, Finland
Died: October 18, 1965
Lauri Törni was a Finnish-born American soldier who served in the Vietnam War as part of the U.S. Army Special Forces. He died during the war due to a helicopter crash in 1965. In the 1990s, several books were written about Lauri Törni, making him a war hero. He was inducted into the USSOCOM Commando Hall of Honor in 2011.
16
Keke Rosberg(Former Finnish Racing Driver Who Won the 1982 'F1 World Championship')
Birthdate: December 6, 1948
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Solna Municipality Solna, Sweden
Keke Rosberg is a Finnish retired racing driver best known for winning the Formula One World Championship in 1982. Rosberg was the first Finnish champion in the history of the Formula One World Championship. Keke Rosberg has also achieved popularity as the father of the 2016 F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg.
17
Ville Valo(Finnish Musician & Co-Founder of the Gothic Rock Band 'HIM')
Birthdate: November 22, 1976
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Helsinki, Finland
Ville Valo is a Finnish musician and singer-songwriter. Valo is best known for his association with the gothic rock band HIM, where he performs as the lead vocalist. He is also credited with co-founding the band and has won many awards as part of the band. Ville Valo is also considered a sex symbol by many publications in Finland.
Birthdate: February 20, 1971
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Lahti, Finland
Called The Man of Glass for getting himself injured frequently during his career, Finnish former footballer Jari Litmanen has played for major clubs such as Liverpool and Ajax. The nine-time winner of the Finnish FA player of the year honor is also the only Finnish player to get a statue.
19
Tuukka Rask(One of the Best Finnish Goaltenders of All Time)
Birthdate: March 10, 1987
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Savonlinna, Finland
Tuuka Rask a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender. He currently plays for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Highly skilled, he won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender during the 2013-14 season. He also played for the national team at the 2014 Winter Olympics. His brother, Joonas Rask, is also a professional ice hockey player.
20
Tove Jansson(Finnish Penwoman and the Author of the Children’s Book Series 'Moomin')
Birthdate: August 9, 1914
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Helsinki, Finland
Died: June 27, 2001
Finnish author Tove Jansson was the woman behind the phenomenally successful children’s books and comics on the fictional white hippo-like creatures she called Moomins. While the Moomins books have been translated into more than 50 languages, Jansson’s literary works also include several other novels and short stories.
Birthdate: August 24, 1948
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Salo
Sauli Niinistö went from being a lawyer and a rural police chief to leading Finland as its 12th president. Part of the National Coalition Party till 2012, he was the first conservative head of state in Finland since the 1950s. He has also led his country as its minister of justice and finance.
22
Teemu Selänne(Former Finnish Ice Hockey Player Who Played as a Winger)
Birthdate: July 3, 1970
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Helsinki
Teemu Selänne is a Finnish retired ice hockey player who played as a winger. Dubbed the Finnish Flash, Teemu is the highest scoring player from Finland in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL). In 2017, he became only the second Finn after Jari Kurri to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
23
Tom of Finland(Finnish Painter, Best Known for His Depiction of Gay Sexuality through His Works)
Birthdate: May 8, 1920
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kaarina
Died: November 7, 1991
One of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Touko Valio Laaksonen, better known as Tom of Finland, is remembered for his paintings of the human body and his depiction of homoerotic desire. In his later life, his struggle with emphysema made him switch from pencil to pastels.
24
Jari Kurri(Former Finnish Olympic Bronze Medal Winning Ice Hockey Player Who Played as a 'Winger')
Birthdate: May 18, 1960
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Helsinki
Finnish retired hockey player Jari Kurri is not just a 5-time Stanley Cup winner but also the first from his country to be part of the Hockey Hall of Fame. An Olympic bronze medal winner, he managed the Finnish team post-retirement. He is married to former Miss Finland, Vanessa Forsman.
25
Paavo Nurmi(Finnish Middle-Distance and Long-Distance Runner Who Dominated Distance Running in the Early 20th Century)
Birthdate: June 13, 1897
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Turku, Finland
Died: October 2, 1973
Paavo Nurmi was a Finnish athlete who specialized in long-distance and middle-distance running. Nicknamed the Flying Finn, Nurmi dominated important distance running events in the early 20th century. He won nine gold medals and three silver medals across three Olympics in 1920, 1924, and 1928. Paavo Nurmi also set 22 official world records during his career.
Birthdate: January 2, 1984
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Popularly known as The Nordic Nightmare, Finnish boxer Robert Helenius was born in Sweden and moved to Finland with his parents at age 2. He was 5 when he began training in boxing and grew up to win a silver at the 2006 European Championships. He has played for both Sweden and Finland,
Birthdate: March 28, 1985
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Hyvinkää
Finnish TV host Sauli Koskinen soared to fame after winning Big Brother 2007. He has also been a reporter and blogger for Ilta-Sanomat and has hosted his own show, Saulin Paras Kaveri. The openly gay entertainer had dated American singer Adam Lambert for almost 3 years before their split.
28
Matti Nykänen(Finnish Ski jumper and Four-Time Olympic Gold Medallist)
Birthdate: July 17, 1963
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Jyväskylä, Finland
Died: February 4, 2019
Matti Nykänen was a Finnish ski jumper widely considered to be the greatest male ski jumper of all time. Over the course of his career, he won five Winter Olympic medals and nine World Championship medals. He won the International Masters Championship for veteran ski jumpers in 2008. He had a tumultuous personal life and faced several legal issues.
29
Saara Aalto(Finnish Voice Actress, Singer, and Songwriter)
Birthdate: May 2, 1987
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Oulunsalo, Finland
Saara Aalto is a Finnish voice actress, singer, and songwriter. She achieved national prominence in 2012 when she finished second in the popular reality singing competition, The Voice of Finland. She gained international recognition in 2016 when she finished second in The X Factor UK. Saara Aalto represented her country at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest.
30
Sami Hyypiä(Former Finnish Footballer who Played as a Defender)
Birthdate: October 7, 1973
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Porvoo
Sami Hyypiä is a Finnish former football player who was an important member of the Finland national team. At the time of his retirement, Hyypiä was Finland's second most capped player after Jari Litmanen with 105 caps. Sami Hyypiä successfully established himself as a manager after retiring as a player.
Birthdate: September 30, 1982
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Helsinki, Finland
32
Pekka Rinne(Former Finnish Hockey Goaltender and a World Champion Silver Medalist)
Birthdate: November 3, 1982
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kempele
Finnish ice hockey goaltender Pekka Rinne has been a silver medalist at the 2014 World Championships. He has been part of the NHL team Nashville Predators and has won the Vezina Trophy, too. A 4-time NHL All-Star, he also won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2021.
Birthdate: July 15, 1980
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Helsinki, Finland
34
Heikki Kovalainen(Finnish Racing Driver, Who Competed in the Formula 1 Between 2007 and 2013)
Birthdate: October 19, 1981
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Suomussalmi, Finland
Finnish F-1 racing driver, who has driven for teams such as Caterham-Renault, Lotus F1, and McLaren. He was the 100th driver to win a F-1 Grand Prix. Though he has competed in the Australian and Brazilian Grand Prix, he scored his only win at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2008.
35
Tarja Turunen(Finnish Heavy Metal Singer-Songwriter & Co-Founder of the Symphonic Metal Band 'Nightwish')
Birthdate: August 17, 1977
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kitee, Finland
Tarja Turunen is a Finnish singer-songwriter and an exponent of heavy metal. She is credited with co-founding the popular symphonic metal band Nightwish, where she peformed as the lead vocalist. The band's symphonic metal style, which was referred to as opera metal, inspired several other bands and performers.
36
Tuomas Holopainen(Finnish Symphonic Metal Musician, Songwriter, and Founder of the Band 'Nightwish')
Birthdate: December 25, 1976
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kitee, Finland
Finnish musician Tuomas Holopainen, who established the symphonic metal band Nightwish, was just 7 when he began training in the piano. Though he initially studied jazz and classical music, he was later inspired by harmonic film music. He is also known for his love for nature.
Birthdate: August 3, 1980
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Helsinki, Finland
38
Darude(Finnish Record Producer and DJ Whose Music is Characterised By Its Uplifting Style)
Birthdate: July 17, 1975
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Eura
Darude is a Finnish record producer and DJ whose music is characterized by its uplifting style. In 2019, he and Sebastian Rejman represented their country at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Look Away. Over the course of his career, Darude has won many prestigious awards, such as Finnish Grammy Awards and Golden Turntable DJ Award.
Birthdate: August 20, 1934
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Muhos, Finland
Birthdate: May 2, 1994
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Jakobstad, Finland
Sara Maria Forsberg is a Finnish singer, songwriter, and YouTube personality. She trained for a few years in a music academy in Jakobstad and began her career by posting videos on YouTube. In the mid-2010s, she signed to Capitol Records and released her debut single. She currently releases music as an independent artist.
Birthdate: November 24, 1989
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bratislava, Czechoslovakia
Lukáš Hrádecký is a Finnish football player who plays as a goalkeeper for the Finland national team and Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. Starting from 2016, Hrádecký was adjudged Finnish Footballer of the Year for three years in a row. In 2020, Lukáš Hrádecký helped his national team qualify for the UEFA European Championship for the first time.
42
Urho Kekkonen(8th President of Finland (1956 - 1952), Prime Minister of Finland (1950 - 1953, 1954 - 1956))
Birthdate: September 3, 1900
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Pielavesi, Finland
Died: August 31, 1986
Urho Kekkonen was the eighth and longest-serving president of Finland. He was noted for continuing and further developing the Paasikivi-Kekkonen doctrine established by his predecessor President Juho Kusti Paasikivi aiming survival of Finland as an independent nation in immediate proximity of the Soviet Union. Kekkonen earlier held several ministerial and legislative posts including serving as as Prime Minister of Finland.
Birthdate: June 23, 1937
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Viipuri, Finland (now Vyborg, Russia)
Martti Ahtisaari is a Finnish politician who served as the tenth president of Finland; he was in office from 1994 to 2000. In 2008, he was honored with the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize for playing an important role in resolving long-lasting and serious conflicts, such as the ones in Namibia and Iraq. In 2008, he was also awarded the Delta Prize for Global Understanding.
44
Alexi Laiho(Lead Guitarist and Lead Vocalist of the Melodic Death Metal Band 'Children of Bodom')
Birthdate: April 8, 1979
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Espoo, Finland
Died: December 29, 2020
Alexi Laiho was a Finnish guitarist, vocalist, and composer. He was the founding member of the melodic death metal band Children of Bodom where he performed as the lead vocalist and lead guitarist. He also played the guitar for other popular bands like Sinergy, Kylähullut, and The Local Band. A celebrated guitarist, Laiho is credited with reintroducing flamboyance and melody to metal music.
45
Jukka Nevalainen(Finnish Musician and Former Drummer of the Symphonic Metal Band 'Nightwish')
Birthdate: April 21, 1978
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kitee, Finland
Known for his signature bandana and his unique style of spinning his drumsticks, Jukka Nevalainen was 11 when he started playing drums and 17 when he joined the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. He later left Nightwish, though he stated he would continue supporting the band behind the scenes.
Birthdate: December 24, 1943
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Helsinki, Finland
Finland’s 11th president, Tarja Halonen was also the first Finnish female politician to hold the post. Initially a lawyer at the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions, she stepped into politics as the parliamentary secretary of Finnish prime minister Kalevi Sorsa. She has also been Finland’s minister of justice and foreign affairs.
47
Lasse Virén(Finnish Retired Athlete who Specialized in Long-distance Running)
Birthdate: July 22, 1949
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Myrskylä, Finland
Lasse Virén is a Finnish retired athlete who specialized in long-distance running. He is best known for his performance in the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games, where he won two gold medals at each Games. Lasse Virén is also known for winning a bronze medal at the 1974 European Championships in Rome.
48
Eliel Saarinen(A Leading Architect and Urban Planner Known for His 'Art Nouveau' Buildings)
Birthdate: August 20, 1873
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Rantasalmi
Died: July 1, 1950
Finnish-American architect Eliel Saarinen was a prominent architect of Finland. He later moved to the US where he influenced modern architecture. He also collaborated with son Eero, a leading American architect. Notable buildings designed by Eliel, known for his designs in Art Nouveau style, includes Helsinki Central Station and Joensuu City Hall in Finland; and St Paul's Church in Estonia.
49
Mika Salo(Retired Finnish Formula One Racer, Who Is Now a Commentator and TV Host)
Birthdate: November 30, 1966
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Helsinki
Finnish racing driver Mika Salo was once a prominent member of Formula One. Post-retirement, he has worked for Finnish MTV3 Formula One as a commentator and has also been a host on Test Drive by Mika Salo. He has been featured on Driven to Extremes, too.
50
Esa-Pekka Salonen(Finnish Composer and Principal Conductor of London's 'Philharmonia Orchestra')
Birthdate: June 30, 1958
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Helsinki, Finland
Esa-Pekka Salonen is a Finnish composer and conductor. He is best known for his service as the artistic advisor and principal conductor of London's Philharmonia Orchestra. He is also associated with the San Francisco Symphony, where he serves as the music director. Esa-Pekka Salonen is one of the most renowned conductors and composers of his genaration.