Kersti Kaljulaid trained as a biologist, worked in banking and energy, advised Prime Minister Mart Laar and spent twelve years at the European Court of Auditors. At 46 she became Estonia's first female head of state and its youngest president, leading the Republic's centenary and its successful campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council.
KK
V · Fifth President of the Republic
Kersti Kaljulaid
Biologist and auditor at the European Court of Auditors. The first woman, and the youngest person, to hold the office.
- In office
- 10 October 2016 – 11 October 2021 · One term
- Born
- 30 December 1969
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Biography
At a glance
- Born
- 30 December 1969, Tartu
- Spouse
- Georgi-Rene Maksimovski
- Children
- Four
- Profession
- Biologist, economist, auditor
Education
- Tallinn Secondary School No. 44, 1987
- University of Tartu, biology, cum laude, 1992
- Estonian Business School, MBA, 2001
Career
- 1996–1997Eesti Telefon
- 1997–1999Hansabank Markets
- 1999–2002Economic adviser to Prime Minister Mart Laar
- 2002–2004Director of the Iru power plant, the first woman to lead a power plant in Estonia
- 2004–2016Member of the European Court of Auditors
- 2011–2016Chair of the council of the University of Tartu
Presidency
- Elected by the Riigikogu on 3 October 2016 with 81 votes, after earlier rounds and an electoral college had failed to produce a president.
- Took office on 10 October 2016, the first woman and, at 46, the youngest person to hold the office.
- Led the centenary of the Republic on 24 February 2018.
- Championed the campaign that won Estonia its first seat on the UN Security Council, for 2020–2021.
In their words
Anyone who appreciates our language, customs and values can be an Estonian.
Honours
- Named among Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Women, 2017
Later life
- Founded the President Kaljulaid Foundation.
- Co-chair of the Global Tech Security Commission from 2022, and of the UN High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession from 2023.
- President of the Estonian Olympic Committee from October 2024 to April 2026.
During the term
Presidency of the Council of the EU
Estonia holds the rotating presidency for the first time.
The Republic's centenary
One hundred years since the Declaration of Independence of 1918.
Alutaguse National Park
The forests and bogs of north-east Estonia, home to bears, lynx and flying squirrels, become the newest national park.
World Cleanup Day
The movement begun in Estonia brings volunteers out in more than 150 countries.
The Arvo Pärt Centre
A home for the composer's archive opens in the pine forest at Laulasmaa.
A seat on the UN Security Council
Elected as a non-permanent member for 2020–2021, for the first time.
150 years of the song festival
The jubilee festival in Tallinn marks a century and a half since the first, in Tartu in 1869.
World Rally Champion
Ott Tänak and co-driver Martin Järveoja win the world title.
The European Green Deal
The EU sets the goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050.
The United Kingdom leaves the European Union
The first member state to leave.
A pandemic
The World Health Organization declares COVID-19 a pandemic.
Vaccination begins
COVID-19 vaccination starts across the European Union.
The first woman Prime Minister
Kaja Kallas forms a government.
Wise on the stock exchange
The Estonian-founded company lists in London.
Sources
This profile is compiled from the English and Estonian Wikipedia articles and the Office of the President, as of October 2026.