25 Most Famous People From Finland

25 Most Famous People From Finland

*Originally Published by Charity K  in  2022 and Updated by Diana K in March 2024

Finland is known for being the happiest country in the world, with the world’s best education system and cleanest air. Finland is famous for its spectacular views of the Northern lights. 

Finland has saunas created to ensure that comfort and luxury are hands in hand, but that is not all, Finland has a special place for ice hockey. In 2019, Finland’s ice hockey team won the Ice Hockey World Championship for the third time. 

However, other than having a great connection to nature and an ice hockey team worth bragging about, it is home to famous people who have influenced Finland one way or the other.

1. Sanna Marin

Photo by Wikimedia Commons – Wikimedia 

She was born on 16 November 1985 in Helsinki. She lived in Espoo and Pirkkala before moving to Tampere after her parents separated.

She is a Finnish politician who has been serving as the Prime Minister of Finland since 2019. She has been a member of Parliament since 2015. 

In 2014, she was elected second deputy chairman of the Social Democratic Party, and in  2015, she was elected as an MP from the electoral district of Pirkanmaa. Four years later she was re-elected to the City County. 

At the age of 34, she is the youngest-ever prime minister and the youngest serving state leader.  On November 23, 2020, she was on the list of the BBC’s 100 Women. Later in the same year, she was selected to be on the Forbes list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. 

2. Nico Rosberg

Photo by Raimond Spekking – Wikimedia 

He was born on 27 June 1985. He is known for being a former racing driver. He competed in Formula One from 2006 to 2016, he won the World Drivers’ Championship in 2016 with 2016.

In 2010, he joined the newly reformed Team Mercedes where his career blossomed. He has managed to score 30 pole positions and 23 Grand Prix. He announced his retirement in 2016.

However, after his retirement, he invested his time in positive change to the environment and society.

He is a long-term investor and shareholder in Formula E since 2018, not only that but he has also invested in multiple start-up technology and e-mobility companies.

2. Kimi Raikkonen

Photo by Wikimedia Commons – Wikimedia 

He was born on 17 October 1979, and he is known by the nickname The Iceman. He is a Finnish racing driver who competed in Formula One between 2001 and 2021. He left the sport to compete in the World Rally Championship in 2010 and 2011. 

Other than racing, he made his initial rally debut at the Arctic Lapland Rally which ran from 23 to 24 January 2009. He made his WRC debut in the 2009 Rally Finland which took place between 30 July and 2 August, he ended up being second place. 

After his retirement, he was named the team principal of the Kawasaki Racing Team for the 2022 Motocross World Championship. 

3. Jean Sibelius

He was a Finnish composer of the late Romantic and early-modern periods. He is widely regarded as his country’s greatest composer. His music is often given credit for helping Finland develop a national identity. 

The Ministry of Education and the Sibelius Society of Finland opened Ainola as a museum in 1974. He has been memorialized by stamps, art, and currency. Since 2011, Finland celebrates its birthday as Flag Flying Day.

4. Eero Saarinen

Photo by Balthazar Korab – Wikimedia 

Eero is a Finnish-American architect and industrial designer. He was born on August 20, 1910, and died on September 1, 1961. He is best known for designing the Washington Dulles International Airport.

He is credited with designing important structures and is widely regarded as one of the 20th century’s most prominent American architectures.

Eero worked full-time for the Office of Strategic Services until 1944. In 1952, he was elected a fellow of the American Institute of Architects. In 1954, he was elected a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters.

He received two first prizes together with Charles Eames in 1940, in the furniture design competition. Eight years later, he won the first prize in the Jefferson National Monument competition.

5. Linus Torvalds

Linus is a Finnish software engineer, he developed the software Linux Kernel, the Git system, and the Scuba dive planning software Subsurface. He has been inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame.

He is married to Finnish Karate six-time champion Tove Torvalds, he met her in late 1993 while he was running an introductory computer laboratory exercise for students. They have three daughters together two of whom were born in the United States.

In the early 2000s, he developed an interest in scuba diving and achieved numerous certifications which helped him to create the Subsurface project.

6. Teemu Pukki

Photo by Wikimedia Commons – Wikimedia 

He was born on March 29, 1990, in Finland. He began his career with KTP and progressed well to a senior level at the age of 15 when he participated in a fifth-round match of the Finnish Cup.

Later, he moved to Sevilla in 2008 and played only one game, La Liga, and then returned to Finland with HJK. However, he became famous for playing in the top divisions of Germany for Schalke 04, Schotland for Celtic, and later Denmark for Brondby.

He was named player of the season from 2018 to 2019 EFL Championship when he signed for Norwich City on a free transfer

Currently, he is knowns as a professional footballer, representing EFL Championship club Norwich City and the Finland national team as a striker. He has earned over 100 caps. He has scored 36 goals. He is known as an all-time Finnish goalscorer and this has given the Finnish people pride in him as a striker.

7. Jari Kurri

He was born on May 18, 1960, in Finland. He is famous as a professional ice hockey winger and a five-time Stanley Cup champion. Among the activities that earned him fame is the fact that he was the first Finnish player to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.

Later in 2017, he was named as one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history being a big highlight in Finland for his achievement. His turning point also is when he owned the Jokerit and also being its general manager.

8.  Valtteri Viktor Bottas

He was born on August 28, 1989, and is a Finnish racing driver. He has scored 10 race wins with a total of 67 podiums for Mercedes and Williams from the year 2017 until 2021. 

Overall, he contributed to five constructors’ championship wins a runner-up twice both in 2019 and 2020.

9. Linus Torvalds

His full name is Linus Benedict Torvalds, a Finnish born on December 28, 1969. He is a software engineer and a creator and the main developer of Linux Kernel which is used by Linux distributions and other operating systems such as Android. This fact made has made history in the world of software development.

Other achievements include distribution version control system Git and scuba dive logging and planning software Subsurface.

Together with Shinya Yamanaka, they were named the 2012 Millennium Technology Prize by the Technology Academy Finland in recognition of his creation of a new open-source operating system for computers leading to the widely used Linux kernel.

What’s more, he is the recipient of the 2014 IEEE Computer Society Computer Pioneer Award and 2018 IEEE Masaru Ibuka Consumer Electronics Award.

10. Tarja Soile Susanna Turunen-Cabuli

She is a professionally known soprano singer born on August 17, 1977.  A former lead vocalist of the famous Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. This is a band she formed with the collaboration of Tuomas Holopainen and Emppu Vuorinen in 1996.

This team brought about the combination of hard and fast guitar riffs with Turunen’s dramatic operatic which earned them a great achievement in commercial popularity. This inspired many performers.

11. Mika Hakkinen

André Zehetbauer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Mika Hakkinen is a retired Finnish racing driver who achieved legendary status in the world of Formula One. He won the prestigious Formula One World Championship twice, in 1998 and 1999, cementing his place among the greatest Finnish athletes of all time. Hakkinen’s career in Formula One spanned over a decade, from 1991 to 2001, and he competed for teams like Lotus, McLaren, and Mercedes.

His two championship titles were secured while driving for the renowned McLaren team, where he formed a formidable partnership with his teammate, David Coulthard. Hakkinen’s driving style was characterized by his fearless approach, unwavering determination, and exceptional car control, earning him the respect and admiration of fans and fellow drivers alike.

12. Aki Kaurismaki

Aki Kaurismaki, born on April 4, 1957, is a critically acclaimed Finnish film director and screenwriter renowned for his unique and distinctive cinematic style. His films often explore themes of loneliness, social outcasts, and the struggles of everyday life, portraying a bleak yet humorous view of the human condition. Kaurismaki’s distinctive visual aesthetic, featuring deadpan humour, minimalist dialogue, and a distinctive colour palette, has become his trademark.

Some of his most celebrated works include Leningrad Cowboys Go America, The Man Without a Past, and Le Havre, which have garnered numerous international awards and critical acclaim. Kaurismaki’s films have gained a cult following worldwide, and he is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative filmmakers in contemporary Finnish cinema.

13. Tove Jansson

She was a multi-talented Swedish-speaking Finnish author, artist, and creator of the beloved Moomin characters. Her Moomin book series, which features a family of endearing trolls with distinctive large snouts, has captured the hearts of readers around the world. The Moomin stories, which blend fantasy and reality, explore themes of friendship, family, and the importance of embracing one’s individuality.

Jansson’s illustrations, which accompanied her stories, were renowned for their whimsical and imaginative style. Beyond her literary works, Jansson was also a talented artist and painter, known for her striking self-portraits and depictions of nature. Tove Jansson’s contributions to Finnish and Scandinavian literature and art are immense, and her Moomin characters have transcended generations, becoming cultural icons and beloved ambassadors of Finland.

14. Tarja Halonen

Tarja_Halonen_1c389_8827.jpg: Janwikifotoderivative work: Bff, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The first female President of Finland from 2000 to 2012. Her presidency marked a significant milestone for gender equality and women’s empowerment in the country. Prior to her presidency, Halonen held various prominent positions, including that of a member of parliament, Minister of Social Affairs and Health, and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

During her tenure as President, she worked tirelessly to promote Finland’s interests on the global stage, advocating for human rights, environmental protection, and international cooperation. Halonen’s leadership was marked by her commitment to social justice, her strong advocacy for gender equality, and her efforts to bridge divides between different political and social groups.

After her presidency, she continued to be an influential voice in Finnish and international affairs. She served as a member of the Council of Women World Leaders and a co-chair of the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability.

15. Jarkko Oikarinen

Jarkko Oikarinen, born on August 16, 1967, is a Finnish programmer who etched his name in the history of the internet with his groundbreaking creation, Internet Relay Chat (IRC). Developed in 1988, IRC was an innovative communication protocol that facilitated real-time text messaging and group conversations over the internet. Oikarinen’s vision and coding prowess revolutionised online communication, paving the way for the modern era of instant messaging and chat applications.

IRC quickly gained popularity among computer enthusiasts, researchers, and communities worldwide, allowing users to connect, exchange information, and collaborate in virtual chatrooms. Oikarinen’s contribution laid the foundation for many subsequent advancements in social networking and online collaboration tools, solidifying his legacy as a pioneer in the field of computer-mediated communication.

16. Mikael Agricola

Albert Edelfelt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Mikael Agricola, born around 1510, is revered as the father of literary Finnish language and a pivotal figure in the country’s cultural and religious heritage. As a clergyman and scholar, Agricola’s most significant achievement was the translation of the New Testament into Finnish, published in 1548. This monumental work not only introduced the written form of the Finnish language but also helped standardize its grammar and orthography.

Agricola’s translation played a crucial role in establishing Finnish as a literary language, enabling the dissemination of religious and educational materials to the Finnish-speaking population. Beyond his linguistic contributions, Agricola was also a prolific writer, authoring numerous works on theology, catechism, and liturgy. 

17. Hannu Lintu

Hannu Lintu is a renowned Finnish conductor and violinist who has carved a remarkable path in the world of classical music. Currently serving as the chief conductor of the prestigious Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Lintu has garnered international acclaim for his dynamic and expressive interpretations of orchestral works. His conducting career has taken him to some of the most prestigious concert halls and opera houses around the globe.

He has collaborated with top-tier ensembles and soloists. Lintu’s passion for music and his meticulous attention to detail have earned him a reputation as a conductor who can extract the deepest emotions and nuances from the scores he conducts.  Lintu has also made significant contributions as a violinist, having previously held the position of concertmaster with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

18. Eero Heinaluoma

Eero_Heinäluoma_2009-05-24.jpg: Ppntoriderivative work: Bff, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Eero Heinaluoma, born on July 4, 1955, is a prominent figure in Finnish politics who has held various influential positions throughout his career. Heinaluoma has served as a member of the Finnish Parliament, representing the Social Democratic Party, and has held several ministerial positions, including Minister of Finance, Minister of the Interior, and Minister of Labour.

His tenure as the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament from 2015 to 2019 further solidified his reputation as a respected and experienced leader. Throughout his political career, Heinaluoma has been known for his commitment to social welfare policies, economic stability, and good governance.

He has played a pivotal role in shaping Finland’s domestic and international policies, working tirelessly to promote the country’s interests and values on both national and global stages. Heinaluoma’s dedication to public service and his ability to navigate complex political landscapes have earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and constituents alike.

19. Timo Sarpaneva

U. A. Saarinen, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A pioneering Finnish designer and sculptor whose innovative creations left an indelible mark on the world of glass art and industrial design. With a career spanning over six decades, Sarpaneva’s works were characterized by their organic forms, bold colors, and seamless fusion of functionality and artistic expression. His collaborations with renowned Finnish glassmakers, such as Iittala and Venini, resulted in some of the most iconic and celebrated glass designs of the 20th century.

Sarpaneva’s Orkidea vase, with its distinctive fluid lines and vibrant hues, became a symbol of Finnish design excellence and is widely recognized as a masterpiece of modern glass art. Beyond his glass creations, Sarpaneva also made significant contributions to industrial design, creating furniture, tableware, and lighting fixtures that embodied his unique aesthetic sensibilities.

20. Marimekko (Armi Ratia)

Kathleen Ballard, Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Armi Ratia was the visionary founder of Marimekko, the iconic Finnish design company renowned for its bold and colorful textile and clothing designs. Driven by a passion for bringing joy and vitality into everyday life, Ratia established Marimekko in 1951, with the aim of creating functional and affordable fashion that celebrated Finnish design aesthetics. Under her leadership, Marimekko’s distinctive prints and patterns, featuring vibrant colors and imaginative motifs, quickly gained international recognition and acclaim.

The company’s innovative approach to textile design, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern sensibilities, revolutionised the fashion industry and became a symbol of Finnish creativity and self-expression. Ratia’s vision and unwavering commitment to quality and originality transformed Marimekko into a global brand, inspiring generations of designers and fashionistas around the world.

21. Johannes Linnankoski

His seminal novel, The Song of the Blood-Red Flower (1911), is considered a masterpiece of Finnish literature, exploring themes of love, nature, and the human condition with poetic depth and philosophical insight. Linnankoski’s writing was deeply rooted in the Finnish countryside, capturing the beauty and resilience of rural life while exploring the complexities of human relationships and societal issues.

Beyond his literary achievements, Linnankoski was also actively involved in politics, serving as a member of the Finnish Parliament and advocating for social reforms and the advancement of Finnish language and culture. His contributions as a writer and public figure have cemented his place as one of the most influential and revered figures in Finland’s literary and political history.

22. Eero Jarnefelt

Gunnar Berndtson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Eero Jarnefelt, born on November 8, 1863, was a renowned Finnish realist painter whose works captured the essence of Finnish nature and society with remarkable sensitivity and authenticity. Jarnefelt’s landscapes, in particular, are celebrated for their ability to evoke the rugged beauty and changing moods of the Finnish countryside, from the vast expanses of forests and lakes to the tranquil rural scenes.

His masterful use of light and color brought a sense of warmth and vibrancy to his depictions of the natural world, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the serene yet powerful vistas of Finland. Jarnefelt’s portraits, too, were highly regarded for their honest and insightful portrayal of individuals from various walks of life. He left a lasting legacy as one of the country’s most influential realist painters.

23. Martti Ahtisaari

A distinguished Finnish diplomat and politician whose tireless efforts in resolving international conflicts earned him the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 2008. Throughout his illustrious career, Ahtisaari played a pivotal role in mediating and facilitating peace processes in numerous regions plagued by conflict, including Namibia, Kosovo, Indonesia, and the Middle East. His diplomatic skills, coupled with an unwavering commitment to dialogue and peaceful resolution, enabled him to navigate complex political landscapes and bring warring parties to the negotiating table.

Ahtisaari’s approach to conflict resolution emphasized the importance of understanding the root causes of disputes and fostering a spirit of compromise and mutual understanding among all parties involved. His ability to build trust and establish common ground paved the way for groundbreaking agreements and laid the foundations for lasting peace in many regions.

24. HIM (Ville Valo)

SilverBullitt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ville Valo, born on November 22, 1976, is a Finnish musician and the charismatic lead vocalist of the acclaimed rock band HIM (His Infernal Majesty), known for their distinctive gothic and love metal sound. With his soulful voice, poetic lyrics, and captivating stage presence, Valo has become an iconic figure in the Finnish and international music scenes. HIM’s unique blend of dark, atmospheric melodies and heartfelt lyrics exploring themes of love, heartbreak, and the human condition resonated with fans worldwide, earning the band a devoted following.

Valo’s image, characterized by his striking features and unconventional fashion sense, further contributed to HIM’s allure and helped establish a distinctive visual identity for the band. Valo has also been recognized for his philanthropic efforts, supporting various charitable causes and using his platform to raise awareness on issues close to his heart.

25. Aleksis Kivi

Sigurd Wettenhovi-Aspa, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Aleksis Kivi is a towering figure in Finnish literature, renowned for his seminal novel Seven Brothers (Seitsemän veljestä), which is considered the first significant work of fiction in the Finnish language. Kivi’s masterpiece, published in 1870, tells the story of seven unruly brothers living in the Finnish countryside and their struggles to conform to societal norms. Through his vivid characters and richly descriptive prose, Kivi captured the essence of Finnish rural life, exploring themes of independence, rebellion, and the complexities of human nature.

Seven Brothers not only established Kivi as a pioneer of Finnish literature but also played a crucial role in shaping and promoting the Finnish language and cultural identity during a time when Finland was under Russian rule. Kivi’s innovative use of language, drawing inspiration from folk tales and dialects, enriched the literary Finnish and paved the way for future generations of writers.