Tarja Halonen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tarja Halonen
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Halonen in 2011
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| 11th President of Finland | |
| In office 1 March 2000 – 1 March 2012 |
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| Prime Minister | Paavo Lipponen Anneli Jäätteenmäki Matti Vanhanen Mari Kiviniemi Jyrki Katainen |
| Preceded by | Martti Ahtisaari |
| Succeeded by | Sauli Niinistö |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 13 April 1995 – 25 February 2000 |
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| Prime Minister | Paavo Lipponen |
| Preceded by | Paavo Rantanen |
| Succeeded by | Erkki Tuomioja |
| Minister of Justice | |
| In office 28 February 1990 – 26 April 1991 |
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| Prime Minister | Harri Holkeri |
| Preceded by | Matti Louekoski |
| Succeeded by | Hannele Pokka |
| Member of the Finnish Parliament | |
| In office 24 March 1979 – 29 February 2000 |
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| Succeeded by | Ilkka Taipale |
| Constituency | Helsinki |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Tarja Kaarina Halonen
24 December 1943 Helsinki, Finland |
| Political party | Social Democratic |
| Spouse |
Pentti Arajärvi
(m. 2000) |
| Children | Anna Halonen |
| Alma mater | University of Helsinki |
| Signature |  |
Tarja Kaarina Halonen (born 24 December 1943) is a Finnish politician. She made history as the 11th president of Finland. She was the first woman to hold this important position. Halonen served as president from 2000 to 2012.
Before becoming president, she was a lawyer. She worked with the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions. She also served in the City Council of Helsinki. From 1979 until 2000, she was a member of the Finnish Parliament. She also held several government minister roles. These included Minister of Social Affairs and Health, Minister of Justice, and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Tarja Halonen was a very popular president. Her approval ratings were very high, reaching 88% in 2003. She was re-elected in 2006 for a second term. She won against Sauli Niinistö, who later became president himself. After serving two terms, she could not run again due to term limits. She left office on March 1, 2012.
Halonen is known for caring about human rights. In the 1980s, she led an organization called Seta. This group supports equal rights for all people. During her presidency, she spoke about women's rights and global issues. In 2009, Forbes magazine named her one of the world's most powerful women. She is also part of the Council of Women World Leaders. This group brings together women leaders to work on important global issues.
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Tarja Halonen's Early Life and Education
Tarja Halonen was born on December 24, 1943. She grew up in Kallio, a working-class area in Helsinki. Her mother, Lyyli Elina Loimola, was a set-dresser. Her father, Vieno Olavi Halonen, worked as a welder. Her parents married during World War II.
When Tarja was two years old, her father left the family. Her parents officially divorced in 1948. Her father was a brave soldier in the war. He received several medals for his service. Tarja has said she only met her father a few times later in life.
In 1950, her mother married Thure Forss. He was an electrician and active in the community. Both her mother and stepfather greatly influenced her. Halonen admired her mother's strength and honesty. She said these are qualities she values in people.
Tarja started school in Kallio. She later attended Kallio Gymnasium. She finished her high school exams in 1962. She first studied Art History at the University of Helsinki. In 1963, she changed to law. She earned her Master of Laws degree in 1968. She focused on criminal law.
She started working as a lawyer before finishing her degree. In 1969, she worked for the National Union of University Students. This job sparked her interest in politics. In 1970, she became a lawyer for the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions. She was the first woman to hold this position.
Starting Her Political Journey: 1970–2000
Joining the Social Democratic Party
In 1971, Halonen joined the Social Democratic Party of Finland. This party worked closely with the trade unions where she was a lawyer. In the early 1970s, she represented the trade unions on a committee. This committee worked to recognize East Germany. She later became the Vice-President of this group. Finland recognized both East and West Germany in 1973.
First Steps in Elections
In 1974, Prime Minister Kalevi Sorsa chose Halonen as his parliamentary secretary. This was a big step in her political career. She learned a lot about Finnish politics and government. Sorsa wanted someone with strong ties to trade unions and legal skills.
Working in Parliament made Halonen even more interested in politics. She decided to run in the local elections in 1976. She was elected to the City Council of Helsinki. She served there for five terms, from 1977 to 1996. In 1979, she was also elected to Parliament. She represented the Helsinki area. She served in Parliament until she became president in 2000. Her first big role in Parliament was leading the Social Committee.
Becoming a Government Minister
In 1987, Prime Minister Harri Holkeri appointed Halonen as Minister of Social Affairs and Health. She held this role until 1990. She also served as Minister for Nordic Cooperation from 1989 to 1991. During this time, she also led the International Solidarity Foundation.
From 1990 to 1991, she was the Minister of Justice. Then, from 1995 until her election as president, she served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Presidential Campaigns and Victories
Running for President in 2000
In 1999, Halonen announced she wanted to run for president. She ran in the Social Democratic Party's internal elections. She won by a large number of votes. The current president, Martti Ahtisaari, decided not to run for a second term.
Halonen was a surprising candidate. She was known for her left-wing views. She was also a single parent. Despite starting fourth in the polls, she received the most votes in the first round. She got 40.0% of the votes. Her closest opponent was Esko Aho, who got 34.4%.
Since no candidate received over 50% of the votes, a second round was held. In this round, Halonen won by a small margin. She received 51.6% of the votes. This made her Finland's first woman head of state. Her first term as president began on March 1, 2000.
Re-election Campaign in 2006
On May 20, 2005, Halonen announced she would run for a second term. She had strong support from her own party. The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions also openly supported her. They used their resources to help her campaign.
During the campaign, American TV host Conan O'Brien made jokes about his resemblance to Halonen. He even visited Finland and met her. He humorously supported her campaign.
On November 19, Halonen was chosen as the presidential candidate by her party. She was called "the president of the whole nation." The Left Alliance party also officially supported her.
In the first round of the election, Halonen received 46% of the votes. Sauli Niinistö was second with 24%. They went to a runoff election on January 29, 2006. Halonen was re-elected with 51.8% of the vote. It was a very close election.
Her Time as President
First Term: 2000–2006
After her first election win, Halonen's popularity grew. Her approval ratings reached a high of 88% in December 2003.
In 2001, Halonen expressed concerns about Russia's reaction if Baltic countries joined NATO. This led to some questions from the Latvian President.
There was a situation called "Iraqgate." Halonen's advisor leaked secret documents to the prime minister, Anneli Jäätteenmäki. This led to Jäätteenmäki's resignation.
Halonen has spoken against the use of landmines. She also defended cluster bombs and did not sign a treaty to ban them.
Second Term: 2006–2012
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In 2008, Halonen nominated a person for a government position. This person was from her own party. This was different from the government's choice. Some people criticized this decision.
In September 2008, Halonen made a comment about Estonia. She said Estonians suffered from a "post-Soviet stress condition." The President of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, responded to this. He said Estonia does not judge other countries' decisions or their "psychiatric state." In 2009, Halonen refused to apologize for Finland's past attitude towards Estonia's independence.
Tarja Halonen's Political Beliefs
Early in her career, Halonen was part of the left wing of her party. She opposed a free trade agreement in 1973. She signed a petition with other social democrats. She supported President Urho Kekkonen's foreign policy. This policy focused on Finland being neutral and having good relations with the Soviet Union.
There were rumors that Halonen once wished for Finland to join the Soviet Union. She has strongly denied these rumors. She said she never gave such a speech.
Halonen has always supported "international solidarity." She calls herself a "relative pacifist." This means she does not support getting rid of all weapons. She strongly believed the President should lead the military. She was against Finland joining NATO during her presidency. However, after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, she supported Finland joining NATO. She called it a "necessary measure" for Europe's safety.
She also publicly supported the involvement of trade unions in politics. In 2013, Halonen publicly supported same-sex marriage.
Tarja Halonen's Personal Life
Tarja Halonen enjoys art history, theater, and swimming. She speaks Finnish, Swedish, and English. She is also learning Estonian. She had two cats during her time as president. In 2013, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev gave her a new cat.
On August 26, 2000, Halonen married her long-time partner, Dr. Pentti Arajärvi. They had a civil ceremony at her official home. They had been together for over fifteen years. Both Halonen and Arajärvi have adult children from previous relationships.
She often wears a Moomin watch. This shows her pride in Finnish culture. In the 1960s, she left the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. She did this to protest the church's tax policy and its stance against female priests. The church now allows women priests. Halonen has since rejoined the church after her presidency. She has even preached in her home church.
From 1980 to 1981, Halonen led Seta. This is a major organization in Finland that supports equal rights for all people.
Tarja Halonen's Important Roles
- Member of the Social Democratic Party of Finland 1971–2000
- Vice-President of the GDR Recognition Committee 1972–1973
- Prime Minister's Parliamentary Secretary 1974–1975
- Member of Helsinki City Council 1977–1996
- Member of Parliament (Helsinki constituency) 1979–2000
- Minister of Social Affairs and Health 1987–1990
- Minister of Nordic Cooperation 1989–1991
- Minister of Justice 1990–1991
- Minister of Foreign Affairs 1995–2000
- President of Finland 2000–2012
Awards and Recognitions
| Coat of Arms of Tarja Halonen | |
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| Armiger | Tarja Halonen |
| Adopted | 2001 |
| Motto | "Yhteisen kansan puolesta"("For a united nation") |
National Honours
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Cross of Liberty
- Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Lion
International Honours
Tarja Halonen has received many high honours from other countries, including:
- Austria: Grand Star of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria
- Belgium: Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold I
- Brazil: Grand Collar of the Order of the Southern Cross
- Chile: Collar of the Order of Merit
- Croatia: Recipient of the Grand Order of King Tomislav
- Denmark: Knight of the Order of the Elephant
- Estonia: Collar of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
- France: Grand Cross of the Order of the Legion of Honour
- Germany: Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Greece: Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer
- Iceland: Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Falcon
- Italy: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- Japan: Grand Cordon with Collar of the Order of the Chrysanthemum
- Latvia: Commander Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of the Three Stars
- Lithuania: Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of Vytautas the Great
- Luxembourg: Knight of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau
- Netherlands: Grand Cross of the Order of the House of Orange
- Norway: Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of St. Olav
- Poland: Grand Cross of the Order of the White Eagle
- Portugal: Collar of the Order of Prince Henry
- Romania: Collar of the Order of the Star of Romania
- Russia: Recipient of the Medal of Pushkin
- Saudi Arabia: First Class of the Order of Abdulaziz al Saud
- Senegal: Grand Cross of the Order of the Lion
- Slovakia: First Class of the Order of the White Double Cross
- Slovenia: Member of the Decoration for Exceptional Merits
- Spain: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic
- Sweden: Member with Collar of the Royal Order of the Seraphim
Other Awards
- Canada: 2014 Fray International Sustainability Award
Honorary Degrees
Tarja Halonen has received many honorary degrees from universities around the world, including:
- University of Helsinki, 2000 and 2010
- Helsinki School of Economics, 2001
- University of Kent, 2002
- University of Turku, 2003
- University of Tartu, 2004
- Yerevan State University, 2005
- University of Minnesota Duluth, 2008
- Helsinki University of Technology, 2008
- Umeå University, Sweden, 2009
- Theatre Academy Helsinki, 2009
- Kazan (Volga region) Federal University, 2010
See also
- List of national leaders
- List of presidents of Finland
- Club of Rome
