Kersti Kaljulaid
Who was Kersti Kaljulaid?
Estonian politician who served as the fifth President of Estonia from 2016 to 2021, becoming the country's first female president.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Kersti Kaljulaid (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Kersti Kaljulaid was born on December 30, 1969, in Tartu, Estonia, during the Soviet era. She went to Tallinn Mustamäe Gymnasium and then the University of Tartu, where she laid the groundwork for her career in public service and international affairs. Her education set the stage for her diverse career, which includes business, civil service, and politics.
Before becoming president, Kaljulaid was a well-regarded civil servant and consultant, working in various roles within Estonian government institutions and international organizations. Her skills in auditing and financial oversight led to her appointment as Estonia's representative to the European Court of Auditors, a role she held when she was nominated for president. This position showed her dedication to transparency and accountability in public financial management within the European Union.
Kaljulaid's bid for the presidency in 2016 was unexpected but decisive. After five failed voting rounds, she became the consensus candidate in the sixth. Parliamentary parties nominated her as their joint candidate on September 30, 2016, making her the only official candidate for that round. On October 3, 2016, she was elected president with 81 votes and 17 abstentions, becoming Estonia's first female president and the youngest head of state at 46.
From 2016 to 2021, her presidency involved representing Estonia internationally and earning several honors for her diplomatic and leadership efforts. These include the Collar of the Order of the National Coat of Arms in 2016, the Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose of Finland in 2017, and the Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2018. Her presidency ended in 2021, but she stayed active in public service. In 2024, she was elected president of the Estonian Olympic Committee for a four-year term, showing her ongoing connection to national institutions and sports administration. She is married to Georgi-Rene Maksimovski.
Before Fame
Growing up in Soviet-era Estonia, Kaljulaid saw the country change from a Soviet republic to an independent nation in 1991, during her university years. This major shift influenced her generation's view of the world and their commitment to joining Europe and supporting democratic institutions. She attended the University of Tartu during this key time of Estonian independence and nation-building.
Her early career grew alongside Estonia's rapid modernization and move into Western institutions. In the 1990s and 2000s, Estonia embraced digital innovation, joined NATO and the European Union, and became a model for a successful post-Soviet transition. Kaljulaid's career in civil service and European institutions mirrored the country's push towards international cooperation and strong institutions.
Key Achievements
- First female President of Estonia, serving from 2016 to 2021
- Youngest person elected to the Estonian presidency at age 46
- Served as Estonia's representative to the European Court of Auditors
- Received numerous international honors including orders from Germany, Finland, Italy, and Austria
- Elected president of the Estonian Olympic Committee in 2024
Did You Know?
- 01.She was the only official candidate in the sixth round of the 2016 Estonian presidential election after five previous rounds failed to produce a winner
- 02.At age 46, she became the youngest person ever to serve as President of Estonia
- 03.She received the European of the Year award in 2009, seven years before becoming president
- 04.In 2024, she transitioned from politics to sports administration by becoming president of the Estonian Olympic Committee
- 05.She received honors from at least eight different countries during and after her presidency, including Germany, Finland, Italy, and Austria
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| European of the year | 2009 | — |
| Concord Award | 2014 | — |
| Collar of the Order of the National Coat of Arms | 2016 | — |
| Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry | 2019 | — |
| Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic | 2018 | — |
| Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 1st class | 2021 | — |
| Grand Star of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria | 2021 | — |
| Grand Cross 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany | 2023 | — |
| Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose of Finland | 2017 | — |
| Decoration for Exceptional Merits | 2019 | — |
| Collar of the Order of the Star of Romania | 2021 | — |
| Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Three Stars | 2019 | — |
| Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Netherlands Lion | 2018 | — |
| Commander of the Legion of Honour | 2025 | — |