Tarja Halonen is the first woman elected President of the Republic of Finland.
Born December 24, 1943 in Helsinki into a construction worker's family.
Education: Master of Law degree. Following her graduation from the university, spent several years working as a lawyer in student organisations and trade unions.
1979-1999: Member of Parliament.
1987-1990: Minister for Social Affairs and Healthcare.
1990-1991: Justice Minister.
1991-1994: deputy head of the Finnish delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
1995-2000: Foreign Minister.
Leading figure in the Finnish Social-Democratic Party.
February 6, 2000: elected President of Finland.
January 29, 2006: re-elected for a second six-year presidential term.
Known for her longstanding work in supporting peace and human rights. Devotes particular attention to studying globalisation issues.
2002- 2003: World Commission on the Social Dimensions of Globalisation launched under the auspices of the ILO, co-chair.
Married with an adult daughter.