Tellervo Koivisto facts for kids
Taimi Tellervo Koivisto (born January 2, 1929) is a Finnish politician and was the First Lady of Finland from 1982 to 1994. She is the widow of Mauno Koivisto, who was the 9th President of Finland. Tellervo Koivisto also served as a member of the Finnish parliament, representing the Social Democratic Party.
Quick facts for kids
Tellervo Koivisto
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Tellervo Koivisto in 2017.
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| Spouse of the President of Finland | |
| In role 27 January 1982 – 1 March 1994 |
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| President | Mauno Koivisto |
| Preceded by | Sylvi Kekkonen |
| Succeeded by | Eeva Ahtisaari |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 January 1929 Punkalaidun, Finland |
| Spouses | |
| Alma mater | Turku School of Economics (1953) |
| Occupation | Bachelor of Economics |
Contents
Early Life and Education
Tellervo Koivisto was born into a farmer's family in Punkalaidun, a town in Western Finland. After finishing primary school, she attended high school in Huittinen, graduating in 1949. She then went on to study at the Turku School of Economics.
Meeting Mauno Koivisto
While studying in Turku, Tellervo met her future husband, Mauno Koivisto, in December 1950. They were married on June 22, 1952. Tellervo Koivisto completed her studies at the Turku School of Economics in 1953.
Career and Public Service
After graduating, Tellervo Koivisto worked as a teacher starting in 1954. In 1957, she became a housewife after her daughter, Assi, was born. Assi later participated in the electoral college during the 1982 Finnish presidential election.
Political Involvement
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Tellervo Koivisto was active in a feminist group called Yhdistys 9. She also wrote columns for the news magazine Suomen Kuvalehti from 1968 to 1972. She was elected as a member of the Finnish parliament in 1972. After one term, she decided not to run again for parliament. Instead, she ran for the City Council of Helsinki in 1976.
Role as First Lady
During her husband's time as president, Tellervo Koivisto focused more on social issues and charity work. She was less interested in the formal, ceremonial duties that often come with being the First Lady.
Sharing Her Experiences
In her 1999 autobiography, Tellervo Koivisto shared openly about her experiences with feeling very sad or down. She connected these feelings to difficult memories from her childhood, including being picked on at school. On her 90th birthday, she spoke about mistreatment she experienced during her school years from her religion teacher. She also shared about unwanted attention she received while in the Finnish parliament.
Recent Health
On December 25, 2020, Tellervo Koivisto was hospitalized after falling at her home. She broke her hip in the fall.
Literary Works
- Elämän siivellä: Päiväkirjan lehtiä, Helsinki; Kirjayhtymä, 1970.
- Päiväkirjan uudet sivut, Helsinki; Otava, 1999. ISBN: 978-951-11642-6-5
Honours
National Honours
Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland- Grand Cross of the Order of the Holy Lamb
Foreign Honours
Estonia: First Class of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
Norway: Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav
Portugal: Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry
Sweden: Member Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Polar Star
Images for kids
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Tellervo Koivisto and Mauno Koivisto in the 1950s
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Tellervo Koivisto with Mauno Koivisto, the president of Finland in Dresden, German Democratic Republic (September 30, 1987)
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Tellervo Koivisto and Eeva Ahtisaari in 2000
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Tellervo Koivisto and Petteri Orpo in 2023
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