President Tarja Halonen was born on December 24th 1943 in Helsinki. Her parents were Vieno Olavi Halonen and Lyyli Elina Loimola. She has lived for most of her life in Kallio in Helsinki. President Halonen is married to Mr Pentti Arajärvi. He is a licetiate in laws. He was born on June 2nd 1948. Mrs. Tarja Halonen has a daughter. At the moment, Anna Halonen is studying international politics at the University of Kent in Caterbury, England. President Halonen has two cats called Miska and Rontti and a turtle called Miki. Her intrests are the art history, theatre, swimming. She also enjoys drawing and painting. She speaks Finnish, Swedish, English, German and French.

Mrs Tarja Halonen’s political activities, before she became the president of Finland:

Prime Minister’s parliamentary secretary 1974-75; Member of the Helsinki City Council 1977-96; Member of Parliament since 1979; Chairman of the Social Affairs Committee of the Parliament 1984-87; Minister at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health 1987-90; Minister for Nordic cooperation 1989-91; Minister of Justice 1990-91; Minister of Foreign Affairs since April 13 1995.

In the summer the President lives in Kultaranta. Kultaranta is located in Naantali on the southwest coast of Finland. Kultaranta park is a kind of mini-Versailles. Kultaranta is a place where she can spend her time undisturbed. Tourists have the possibility of visiting the park, but they are denied the access to the house.