Tarja Halonen
Tarja Kaarina Halonen (born December 24, 1943) is a Finnish politician who served as the 11th President of Finland between 2000 and 2012, being the first female president of the country. She was a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1979 to 2000. Following her two terms as president, she was the chair of the Crisis Management Initiative from 2012 to 2016, a member of the Council of Women World Leaders and a board member of the International Crisis Group. In 2016, she became the chair of the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB).
Early life and education
Tarja Kaarina Halonen was born December 24, 1943, in Helsinki to Vieno (née Halonen) and Väinö Halonen. She is the third of the couple's four children, with two older brothers, Esko and Kauko, and a younger sister, Anna-Liisa. Her parents died when she was young and her siblings were raised by their paternal grandparents in Helsinki's working-class Kallio district. She graduated from Kallio High School in 1962.
Halonen studied law at the University of Helsinki, graduating in 1968 after having spent a year as an exchange student at the University of California, Berkeley. She passed the bar exam in 1970.
Political career
- President of Finland (2000–2012)
Halonen's presidency was characterized by her emphasis on social justice, equality, and international cooperation. She was a strong advocate for human rights, gender equality, and environmental protection. She also played an important role in promoting peace and stability in Europe and beyond.
In the 2000 presidential election, Halonen won the most votes in the first round, but she did not receive the required majority. In the second round, she defeated Matti Vanhanen by a narrow margin. She was re-elected in 2006, defeating Sauli Niinistö.
During her time in office, Halonen signed into law several important pieces of legislation, including the Gender Equality Act (2005), the Same-Sex Couples Act (2009), and the Anti-Discrimination Act (2010). She also played a key role in the negotiations that led to the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union.
Halonen was a popular president, and she left office with high approval ratings. She is widely respected in Finland and abroad for her leadership and her commitment to social justice and equality.
- Other political positions
After leaving office, Halonen has continued to be active in public life. She has served as the chair of the Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) and the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB). She is also a member of the Council of Women World Leaders and the board of the International Crisis Group.
Personal life
Halonen is married to Pentti Arajärvi, a retired trade union official. They have one son, Niku Arajärvi, who is an architect.
Halonen is a Lutheran and a supporter of the arts. She is also a keen sports fan and enjoys skiing, swimming, and tennis.
Legacy
Tarja Halonen was a groundbreaking figure in Finnish politics. She was the first woman to be elected president of Finland, and she served two terms in office. During her time as president, she made significant progress on issues such as gender equality, human rights, and environmental protection. She is a respected and admired figure in Finland and abroad, and she continues to be active in public life.
Awards and honors
- Order of the White Rose of Finland, Grand Cross with Collar (2000)
- Order of the Lion of Finland, Grand Cross (1994)
- Order of the Star of Romania, Grand Cross (2004)
- Order of the Three Stars, Grand Cross (2006)
- Order of Merit, Grand Cross (2007)
- Order of the Elephant, Knight (2008)
- Order of the Aztec Eagle, Grand Cross (2009)
- Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, Grand Cross (2011)
- Order of the Polar Star, Knight (2012)
- Charlemagne Prize (2012)
- Olof Palme Prize (2013)
- Honorary doctorate from the University of Helsinki (2014)
