Kersti Kaljulaid President of Estonia since 10 October 2016 Date of Birth: 30.12.1969 Country: Estonia

Content:

1. Personal Life
2. Education and Career
3. Public Service
4. Presidency of Estonia
5. Other Notable Achievements
6. Dame Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose (Finland)
7. Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion

Personal Life

Kersti Kaljulaid was born on December 30, 1969, in Tartu, Estonia. She is married to Georg-Rene Maksimovski and has four children: Siim Talvik, Silja Märdla (née Talvik), and two younger sons. Kaljulaid also has a half-brother, Raimond Kaljulaid, who has served as the Mayor of Põhja-Tallinn since March 2016.

Education and Career

Kaljulaid graduated from Tallinn Secondary School No. 44 in 1987 and received a degree in biology from the University of Tartu in 1992. In 2001, she earned an MBA from the University of Tartu.

From 1998 to 1999, Kaljulaid worked as a project manager in the banking investment department of Hansapank Markets. In 1999, she became economic advisor to Prime Minister Mart Laar. From 2001 to 2004, she was a member of the Pro Patria Union party.

In February 2002, Kaljulaid was appointed Head of Management Accounting at the Iru Power Plant. In September 2002, she became the Director of the Power Plant.

Public Service

From May 2004 to September 2016, Kaljulaid served as Estonia's representative to the European Court of Auditors. From 2010 to 2014, she was responsible for audit methodology and annual reports. From 2014 onwards, she led the audit of agriculture and the reform of the Court's structure.

Presidency of Estonia

After three unsuccessful rounds of presidential elections in the Riigikogu and two in the Electoral College, the Council of Elders of the Estonian Parliament nominated Kaljulaid as the sole candidate for the presidency on September 27, 2016. On October 3, 2016, she was elected President of Estonia in the Riigikogu, receiving 81 votes and becoming the country's first female president.

Kaljulaid was sworn into office on October 10, 2016, and received the Chain of the Order of the National Coat of Arms with the Golden Star. Her first official visits as President were to Finland and Latvia. In November 2017, she was ranked 78th in Forbes magazine's list of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women."

Other Notable Achievements

Kaljulaid is fluent in Estonian, Finnish, English, French, German, and Russian. She is a recipient of several honors, including:

Order of the National Coat of Arms with Chain (by virtue of her office as President of Estonia)

Dame Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose (Finland)

Dame Grand Cross Decorated with the Grand Cordon of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic

Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion

Honorary Citizen of Seoul

In philately, a postage stamp featuring Kaljulaid was issued by Eesti Post on October 10, 2017, as part of the "Presidents of the Estonian Republic 1918-2018" series.

Estonia

Toomas Hendrik Ilves

Kersti Kaljulaid