Famous Finnish Leaders

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Mostly known by his ring name, Ludvig Borga, Finnish wrestler, MMA fighter, and boxer Tony Halme had an eventful life. Known for his homophobic and pro-Nazi views, he was also an actor, a musician, a politician, and a writer. He also struggled with mental health issues and short-term memory loss.

Ari Vatanen is a rally driver-turned-politician who won the drivers' title at the 1981 World Rally Championship as well as the prestigious Paris Dakar Rally on four occasions. He also won the World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies in 1997. Since 2013, Ari Vatanen has been serving as the president of the Autosport Union in Estonia.

Finland’s minister of the environment and climate change, Maria Ohisalo has also led her country as its minister of the interior. The Green League leader is also determined to eradicate poverty and homelessness, as she herself grew up amid poverty and had a tough childhood with an alcoholic father.

Finnish politician Kyösti Kallio, who represented the Agrarian League, or the Center Party of Finland, had also led his country as its 4th president and 8th prime minister. He later became the first Finnish president to resign and also the only one who died in office, after he passed away following his farewell ceremonies.

Finland’s 5th president and 14th prime minister, Risto Ryti had also led his country as its minister of finance. Known for his economic policies, he was one of then most prominent political figures of his country during the interwar period. He is also remembered for authoring the 1944 Ryti–Ribbentrop Agreement.

The 43rd prime minister of Finland, politician Alexander Stubb has also been the country’s minister of finance, foreign affairs, and European affairs. Equipped with a strong background in academia and civil service, he has authored several books and has also led the European Investment Bank as its vice-president.

Finnish Left Alliance politician Li Andersson serves as her country’s minister of education. A socialist feminist, she is also a member of Turku’s City Council. She has also been active in trade unions and has fought for human rights. She has previously led the youth wing of her party, Left Youth.

Finland’s 35th deputy prime minister, politician Katri Kulmuni has also led her country as its minister of finance and economic affairs. The Center Party leader had headed several governing boards, such as that of the World Bank. In 2020, she resigned from the ministry after being accused of spending public money on media training.

The 7th president of Finland, Juho Kusti Paasikivi has also been his country’s prime minister. He had chaired the Senate of Finland, too. He is chiefly remembered for his post-World War II foreign policies. Initially an academician of law, he later turned to banking and insurance management and, eventually, to politics.

The 9th president of Finland, Finnish politician Mauno Koivisto had also been a 2-time prime minister of his country. The Social Democratic Party member had served as a corporal with the Finnish Army and had also participated in the Winter War, or the First Soviet-Finnish War.

Finnish Center Party politician Matti Vanhanen has served as the 40th prime minister and the 36th deputy prime minister of Finland. He has also been Finland’s minister of defense and finance and is the current Speaker of the Parliament of Finland. The son of academician Tatu Vanhanen, he had previously been a journalist.

Finnish politician Jyrki Katainen has not just been his country’s 42nd prime minister but has also led it as its deputy prime minister and minister of finance. The National Coalition Party member has also served as a vice-president for the European Commission. Following his retirement from politics, he served as the president of SITRA.

The 3rd president of Finland, Pehr Evind Svinhufvud had also previously been the country’s prime minister twice. A rightist politician and a National Coalition Party member, he had a huge role in crushing Finland’s Communist Party. Initially a lawyer and judge, he later led the Finnish independence movement.

Finnish politician Timo Soini, who co-established the Finns Party, has also led Finland as its 32nd deputy prime minister and has been its minister of foreign affairs too. He is now part of the Blue Reform, or the Finnish Reform Movement. He has headed the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Finland’s 1st president, Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg was one of the first politicians to introduce republicanism in Finland. A lawyer and judge, he initially taught law and economics at the University of Helsinki. The National Progressive Party member is also remembered as one of the main figures behind the Finnish constitution.

Finns Party politician Laura Huhtasaari, who has been a Finnish MP for Satakunta, has also represented Finland as a Member of the European Parliament. Initially an elementary and special education teacher, she stepped into politics as a member of the City Council of Pori. She has previously been accused of plagiarizing her MSc. thesis.

Finnish Communist Party co-founder Otto Wille Kuusinen was a Finnish-born Soviet politician. He chaired the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Karelo-Finnish SSR. He also served as the secretary of Comintern and was a significant member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

Finland’s 41st prime minister, Mari Kiviniemi was also the country’s second female politician to hold the post. She has previously led the Center Party as its leader and las also led Finland as its minister of public administration and foreign trade. She has also been associated with the OECD as its deputy secretary-general.

Annika Saarikko is a Finnish politician and the current Deputy Prime Minister of Finland as well as the Minister of Finance. A prominent political leader, Saarikko served as the Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services from 2017 to 2019. She also served as the Minister of Science and Culture on two occasions; in 2019 and from 2020 to 2021.

Olli Rehn is a Finnish politician best known for his service as the Minister of Economic Affairs from 29 May 2015 to 29 December 2016. He is currently associated with the Bank of Finland, where he has been serving as the governor since 2018. 

Anna-Maja Henriksson is a Finnish politician and the current Minister of Justice. An influential politician, she had previously served as the Minister of Justice from 22 June 2011 to 29 May 2015. Anna-Maja Henriksson has also been leading the Swedish People's Party since 2016.

Paavo Lipponen is a Finnish politician best known for his service as the Prime Minister of Finland from 13 April 1995 to 17 April 2003. An important political figure, Paavo Lipponen also served as the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament on two occasions; in 1995 and from 2003 to 2007.

Finnish statesman Johan Vilhelm Snellman was a major figure of the Fennoman movement that was geared toward establishing Finnish as a national language, replacing Swedish. He had been both a professor and a senator, and has switched the Finnish monetary standard from rubles to marks.

Eduard Polón was a Finnish business leader best remembered for founding the Nokia group. He was responsible for launching a rubber industry in Finland and is credited with founding the Finnish Rubber Company. Eduard Polón is also credited with designing and introducing a modern cable and timber market in the country.

Sari Essayah is a Finnish former athlete who specialized in race walking. A former European champion and world champion in the 10,000 metres event, Essayah created seven national records during her athletic career. After retiring from sports, Sari Essayah became a politician and is currently serving as the president of the Christian Democrats party.

A radiology nurse, Ritva Elomaa made her name as a successful bodybuilder. An IFBB Hall of Famer, she was the only non-American to be named Ms. Olympia till 2000. She also had a stint as a pop singer and was later elected to the Finnish parliament as part of the Finns Party.

Faysal Ali Warabe is a Somalilander politician and engineer. He is credited with founding the Justice and Welfare Party, where he is currently serving as its leader. An engineer by profession, Faysal Ali Warabe worked as a Chief Engineer in the capital city of Somalia. 

Ben Zyskowicz is a Finnish politician who is currently serving as one of the members of the Finnish Parliament for Helsinki. He is the first Jewish politician to be elected to the Parliament of Finland. Ben Zyskowicz is also known in Finland as a politician with the most difficult name to spell.

Karl Lennart Oesch was a Finnish military leader and one of the most important generals during the Second World War. He received numerous awards during his service, including the Finnish Mannerheim Cross. Karl Lennart Oesch also played an important role during the Continuation War, after which he was convicted for war crimes.

Väinö Tanner was a Finnish political leader best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of Finland from 1926 to 1927. He also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1936 to 1937. An important politician, Väinö Tanner also served as the Minister of Finance on two occasions; from 1937 to 1939 and again from 1942 to 1944.

Pekka Siitoin was a Finnish neo-Nazi and occultist. He became a neo-Nazi in the 1970s and founded several organizations. A self-proclaimed leader of the Finnish Nazi movement, Pekka Siitoin also wrote pamphlets and books about politics and occultism. The Neo-Nazi activities led by Pekka Siitoin have been portrayed in a documentary film titled Sieg Heil Suomi.

Carl Gustaf Mannerheim was a Finnish entomologist who devoted much of his time to acquire a large scientific collection of Coleoptera. He is also remembered for his service as the chief judge of the Imperial Court of Appeals from 1839 until his death in 1854.

Erkki Tuomioja is a Finnish politician best known for his service as the Minister of Foreign Affairs on two occasions; from 2000 to 2007 and 2011 to 2015. He also served as the Minister of Trade and Industry from 1999 to 2000. Tuomioja is also a writer; his book A Delicate Shade of Pink won the Finlandia Prize in 2006.

Kalevi Sorsa was a Finnish politician best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of Finland on three occasions between 1972 and 1987. He also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs on three occasions between 1972 and 1989. An influential political leader, Kalevi Sorsa also served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Finland on two occasions.

Jan Vapaavuori is a Finnish politician who served as the Minister of Housing from 2007 to 2011. From 2012 to 2015, he served as the Minister of Economic Affairs. An important political leader, Jan Vapaavuori also served as the first Mayor of Helsinki from 1 June 2017 to 2 August 2021.

Lauri Kristian Relander was a Finnish political leader who served as the President of Finland from 1925 to 1931. Widely regarded as a weak president, Relander was politically inexperienced and young when he became president of the country. During his presidency, Lauri Kristian Relander stressed on the preservation of social peace.  

Harri Holkeri was a Finnish statesman best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of Finland from 30 April 1987 to 26 April 1991. He also served as the President of the United Nations General Assembly from 2000 to 2001. In 1998, Harri Holkeri was honored with Counselor of State, the highest Finnish honorary title.

Vihtori Kosola was a Finnish political leader best remembered for leading the Lapua Movement, a radical Finnish nationalist, pro-German, fascist, and anti-communist political movement. Vihtori Kosola also played an important role during the Finnish Civil War.

Carl Erik Mannerheim was a Swedish–Finnish statesman and soldier. From 1822 to 1826, he served as the Vice Chairman of the Economic Division. A member of the Diet of Porvoo, Carl Erik Mannerheim was also involved in the formation of Grand Duchy's institutions.

Anne Berner is a Swiss-Finnish politician and business executive. She is best known for her service as the Minister of Transport and Communications from 2015 to 2019. She is also known for leading an interior design company named Vallila Interior. Berner became a household name in Finland when she appeared in the TV show, Dragons' Den of Finland and Sweden.

Georg Magnus Sprengtporten was a Finland-Swedish politician best remembered as the younger half-brother of Jacob Magnus Sprengtporten. He played an important role during the Seven Years' War where he served as a captain. As he defected to Russia, Georg Magnus Sprengtporten is considered a traitor in Sweden.

Rafael Paasio was a Finnish politician best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of Finland on two occasions; from 1966 to 1968 and again from February 1972 to September 1972. Rafael Paasio also served as the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament on two occasions; in 1966 and again from 1970 to 1972. 

Aladár Paasonen was a Finnish military leader best remembered for his service during the Continuation War, where he served as Chief of Intelligence in the Finnish Defence Forces. An important military officer, Paasonen also played a key role in the Finnish Civil War.