Alar Karis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alar Karis
Alar Karis in 2026
6th President of Estonia
In office 11 October 2021 – 12 October 2026
Preceded by	Kersti Kaljulaid
Succeeded by	Ülle Madise
Auditor General of Estonia
In office 7 April 2013 – 7 March 2018
Preceded by	Mihkel Oviir
Succeeded by	Janar Holm
Rector of the University of Tartu
In office 3 July 2007 – 30 June 2012
Preceded by	Tõnu Lehtsaar
Succeeded by	Volli Kalm
Rector of the Estonian University of Life Sciences
In office 2003–2007
Preceded by	Henn Elmet
Succeeded by	Mait Klaassen
Personal details
Born	(1958-03-26) 26 March 1958 (age 68) Tartu, Estonian SSR, Soviet Union
Political party	Independent
Spouse	Sirje Jädal ​ (m. 1977)​
Children	3
Education	Estonian University of Life Sciences

Alar Karis is an Estonian scientist and leader who served as the sixth president of Estonia. Before he became a leader in government, he worked as a molecular geneticist and a developmental biologist. That means he spent years studying the tiny instructions inside living cells that help animals and plants grow. He was chosen to lead his country as president of Estonia on 11 October 2021 and finished his term on 12 October 2026. Karis is known for his calm attitude, love for learning, and respect for nature and education.

Early Life and Growing Up in Tartu

Alar Karis was born in the city of Tartu on 26 March 1958. During this period in history, Estonia was officially called the Estonian SSR and was part of the large Soviet Union. Karis grew up surrounded by a family that had a great passion for science and nature. His father was a well-known botanist named Harry Karis who studied plants. His mother, Virve Karis, worked as an expert in farming and animal nutrition. When his parents separated in 1960, young Alar was raised by his caring mother and grandmother Vilhelmine.

Growing up in Tartu helped shape his interest in discovery. The city has a rich history of learning and is famous for its universities and libraries. Karis enjoyed reading books, spending time outdoors, and asking questions about how living things function. His family taught him that studying hard and respecting others were two of the most important things in life. These early lessons inspired him to pursue a long career in science and education.

Becoming a Scientist and University Leader

Learning About Biology and Veterinary Science

Karis decided to dedicate his early career to the natural world. In 1981, he finished his studies at the Estonian Agricultural Academy, which later became the Estonian University of Life Sciences. He wanted to discover how animals grow and stay healthy. In 1987, he earned an advanced research degree known as Candidate of Veterinary Sciences. He completed this important work at the Academy of Sciences of the Byelorussian SSR in the city of Minsk.

After finishing his research degrees, Karis focused on molecular genetics. Scientists in this field explore genes, which are microscopic blueprints passed down from parents to their children. These blueprints decide things like eye color, height, and how living bodies build organs. He also worked in developmental biology, studying how a single tiny cell can safely turn into a complex living creature. Through years of research, he became one of the top experts in his field in Estonia.

Leading Famous Estonian Universities

In 1999, Karis became a full professor at the historic University of Tartu. Being a professor meant he gave lectures to university students and guided young researchers in their laboratory experiments. Because he was organized and listened well to other people, he quickly gained leadership roles. In 2003, he was chosen as the rector of the Estonian University of Life Sciences. A university rector acts like a school principal, making sure teachers have what they need and students can learn effectively. He held this important leadership role until 2007.

In 2007, he took on an even bigger challenge when he became the rector of the University of Tartu. This university is one of the oldest and most respected schools in all of Northern Europe. Karis worked hard to help Estonian researchers share their discoveries with scientists around the globe. He also made sure students received modern training in science, mathematics, and world history. He served as university head until 2012, earning praise from teachers and students across the country.

Public Service and Managing Culture

Watching Over Government Money

Alar Karis meeting King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden in Tallinn

In 2013, Karis decided to use his leadership experience to help the public. He was selected to become the Auditor General of Estonia. The Auditor General is the leader of the National Audit Office of Estonia. This independent public office has an important mission: it checks how the national government spends taxpayers' money. Karis acted like an honest accountant for the entire country, ensuring that public funds supported schools, roads, hospitals, and emergency services.

He believed strongly that government workers should always tell the truth and explain their decisions clearly to regular citizens. He stayed in this role until 2018, helping make public spending fair and honest. His work gained him a reputation for being completely fair, calm, and independent from political arguments. Because of his honesty, leaders from different political groups learned to trust his judgment.

Guiding the Estonian National Museum

In 2018, Karis took on another creative public role when he became the director of the Estonian National Museum. This giant, beautiful museum is located right in his hometown of Tartu. The museum preserves historic clothes, tools, musical instruments, stories, and artworks created by Estonians over many centuries. Karis loved this job because it connected his passion for modern science with Estonian folk culture.

As the museum director, he welcomed thousands of visitors from Estonia and all across the world. He created interactive exhibitions that helped young children and families discover how ancient people lived, cooked, and built their homes. Under his leadership, the museum hosted cultural festivals, music concerts, and history workshops. He led the museum until the summer of 2021, when he was invited to take on the highest office in the land.

Serving as the Sixth President of Estonia

Election to the Presidency in 2021

Karis meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv

In August 2021, the speaker of the Estonian parliament, whose name is Jüri Ratas, asked Karis to consider running for national president. In Estonia, the president is chosen by the members of the national parliament, called the Riigikogu. Karis agreed to put his name forward because he wanted to unite people and help his homeland thrive.

Both major groups in parliament, the Reform Party and the Centre Party, voted to support him. On 31 August 2021, during the 2021 Estonian presidential election, lawmakers elected Karis with 72 out of 101 votes. Because no other person ran against him in that round, some people asked if the election rules should be changed. In his acceptance speech, Karis listened to these concerns and suggested that lawmakers should study ways to improve how presidents are chosen. He officially stepped into the presidency on 11 October 2021.

Protecting the Rules and Working with Leaders

Karis speaking at the AI for Good Summit in Geneva

As president, Karis served as an independent leader. He did not join any political party so that he could treat all Estonians equally. In Estonia, the prime minister runs the daily government, while the president represents the state and ensures all laws follow the national constitution. Karis worked together with Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and later with Prime Minister Kristen Michal.

Karis took his constitutional duties very seriously. When the parliament writes a law, the president must sign it before it becomes official. If a president thinks a law breaks basic constitutional protections, they have the legal right to refuse to sign it. Karis used this power several times to protect fair procedures. In December 2023, he refused to sign a bill because he believed the parliament had rushed the voting rules improperly. When lawmakers passed the bill again without fixing it, Karis sent it to the Supreme Court of Estonia. The Supreme Court agreed with Karis that the proper rules had not been followed.

In July 2024, Karis noticed a problem with a proposed car tax bill. He pointed out that the bill was unfair because it failed to give equal treatment to people living with physical disabilities. He refused to sign the bill until the parliament listened and added better protections for disabled individuals. Once lawmakers fixed the law, he gladly signed it.

Representing Estonia Across the Globe

Karis traveled often to build strong friendships with other nations. He visited neighboring countries like Finland and Latvia right after his term began. When he traveled to Latvia, he met with Ināra Mūrniece, the speaker of the Saeima, because Latvian President Egils Levits had caught COVID-19. Over the following years, Karis met with foreign heads of state, including King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In 2025, Karis visited Switzerland to attend the AI for Good Summit held in Geneva. At the summit, world leaders discussed how computers and smart machines could solve real problems like hunger and sickness. Karis told the audience that modern technology should always be used to help humans, protect nature, and spread useful knowledge.

Completing His Presidential Term

On 23 June 2026, while giving a speech in Rapla for Estonian Victory Day, Karis shared an important announcement. He told the public that he would not seek a second term in the 2026 Estonian presidential election. He explained that he and his family had agreed early on that he would serve for a single five-year term. Some politicians from the Centre Party and Isamaa wondered about the choice, but Karis explained he was happy with his work. The newspaper Postimees noted that Karis had often chosen to serve a single, dedicated term in his past jobs. He finished his service on 12 October 2026 and passed the office to Ülle Madise.

Personal Life and Family

Alar Karis has been married to his wife, Sirje Karis, since 1977. Sirje Karis is also an expert in history and museum work who has led major cultural centers in Estonia. Together, they have 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. Karis loves spending quiet weekends with his family, reading history books, and walking through quiet Estonian forests.

Karis speaks several languages. Along with his native Estonian language, he speaks fluent English and Russian. He once told reporters that his Russian gets a little rusty without regular practice, but he can still communicate easily. He enjoys encouraging children to learn different languages, read books every day, and remain curious about science and the world around them.

Honours and Awards

National Honours of Estonia

• Grand Master and Collar of the Order of the National Coat of Arms
• Grand Master of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
• Grand Master of the Order of the White Star
• Fourth Class of the Order of the White Star
• Grand Master of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle
• Grand Master of the Order of the Estonian Red Cross

Foreign Honours from Other Nations

• Commander’s Cross of the Order of Leopold II (Belgium)
• Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Lion (Czech Republic)
• Knight of the Order of the Elephant (Denmark)
• Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose (Finland)
• Commander 1st Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland (Finland)
• Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Italy)
• Commander Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of the Three Stars (Latvia)
• Commander of the Cross of Recognition (Latvia)
• Order of the White Eagle (Poland)
• Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim (Sweden)
• Commander 1st Class of the Royal Order of the Polar Star (Sweden)
• Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise I degree (Ukraine)

See also

In Spanish: Alar Karis para niños