Valpuri Innamaa facts for kids

Valpuri Eerikintytär Innamaa (1540-1602) was a very successful Finnish merchant and shipowner. She lived in Turku, which was then part of Sweden (but is now in Finland). She became one of the richest and most powerful businesswomen of her time.

Her Early Life and Business

Valpuri was married to Henrik Johannes Innamaa. Her husband supported John III of Sweden, who was a king. In 1563, when the troops of Eric XIV of Sweden took over Turku, Valpuri's husband died. King Eric's soldiers also took away the Innama family's merchant ships.

After her husband's death, Valpuri took over his business. She started exporting iron to the king. By 1571, tax records showed that she was the richest merchant in Turku!

Growing Her Business

Valpuri worked hard to get her family's ships back. She finally got them restored in 1582. She brought her late husband's business back to life. Her ships carried goods all over the Baltic Sea, especially to Stockholm in Sweden.

She exported goods like butter, animal skins, fish, and horses. She imported important items such as salt, weapons, wine, and spices. Valpuri was the most powerful shipowner in Turku. She even lent money to the Swedish king and helped supply the Swedish army during John III's Livonian war. Because she had a good relationship with the king, she was well protected during her many legal cases. She also owned a lot of land and buildings.

Family and Independence

After her first husband died, Valpuri married three more times. Her later husbands were Peter Ingvaldinpoika, Olavi Karls, and Luke Laurin. In those days, it was common for a widow to continue her husband's business. However, this was usually only for a short time, until a male relative or new husband could take over.

Valpuri was different. Even though she remarried, which usually meant her husbands would control her business, she kept full control of her own company until she died. She had two daughters. Her business was later inherited by her grandson, Bertil Innamaa.

Legacy

Today, a street in Turku is named after her.