Vilja Toomast Estonian politician Date of Birth: 15.08.1962 Country: Estonia

1. Early Life and Education
2. Career in Psychology and Journalism
3. Political Career
4. Local and National Politics
5. Party Leadership and Resignation
6. Published Works
7. Personal Life
8. Other Interests

Early Life and Education

Vilia Savisaar-Toomast was born on August 15, 1962, in Antsla, Estonia. She completed her secondary education at Antsla Secondary School from 1977 to 1980 and went on to study psychology at the University of Tartu from 1980 to 1985.

Career in Psychology and Journalism

After graduating, Vilia began her career as a psychologist at the firm "Mainor" from 1988 to 1990. She then served as the chief assistant to the Prime Minister of Estonia, Edgar Savisaar, from 1990 to 1992, and as an advisor to Riigikogu member Edgar Savisaar from 1992 to 1994. From 1990 to 1994, she was also the editor-in-chief of the magazine "Seitse päeva."

Political Career

In 1995, Vilia became an advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Edgar Savisaar. She subsequently served as editor-in-chief of the magazine "Elu Pilt" from 1994 to 1997 and as the mayor of the Nõmme district in 1999. From 1999 to 2002, she worked for the company "Pilt ja Sõna."

Local and National Politics

Vilia entered the political arena in 1998 by joining the Estonian Centre Party. She ran for office in Tallinn's municipal elections in 2002, receiving 5598 votes. In the 2003 and 2007 elections to the Riigikogu, Savisaar was elected to parliament and served as the chairwoman of the Centre Party parliamentary group from 2007 to 2009.

Party Leadership and Resignation

In the 2007 Riigikogu elections, Vilia received 8531 votes from the Haabersti, Põhja-Tallinn, and Kristiine districts in Tallinn, the second highest number of votes in the Centre Party behind its leader, Edgar Savisaar. Following the 2005 municipal elections, she became the mayor of the Põhja-Tallinn district.

In April 2012, Vilia Savisaar-Toomast left the Estonian Centre Party along with seven other prominent party members due to internal conflicts.

Published Works

Vilia Savisaar-Toomast has authored several publications, including "Valguses ja varjus" (On the Light and in the Shadows) in 1995 and "Eestimaa Rahvarinne" (The Estonian Popular Front) in 2002.

Personal Life

Vilia was previously married to Vahur Kerсна. From 1996 to 2009, she was married to Edgar Savisaar, with whom she had a daughter, Rosina Savisaar. In 2010, she married Taimo Toomast.

Other Interests

Vilia participated in the Estonian Dancing with the Stars television show in 2006, partnering with Veiko Rõõmus. She was elected president of the Estonian Volleyball Federation in 2007 and is a member of the Vana-Narva and Nõmme societies.