Famous People from Finland — Obituaries

Arvi Lind dead at age 85, Finnish television news presenter

Finnish television news presenter · 07 June 2026 · Sagittarius · June 2026 · June 7

June 7, 2026

Jutta Zilliacus dead at age 100, journalist and author

a Finnish-Estonian politician, journalist and author, died on May 30, 2026, at the age of 100. Born Jutta Armelle Zilliacus in Helsinki on July 25, 1925, she worked in the Swedish language and built a career that combined journalism and… · 30 May 2026 · May 2026 · Leo

May 30, 2026

Esa Klinga dead at age 86, 1968)

a Finnish Olympic skier and Nordic combined competitor, died on May 26, 2026. He was born on November 21, 1939, in Mikkeli, Finland. Klinga competed in the Nordic combined events at the 1964 Winter Olympics and the 1968 Winter Olympics.… · 26 May 2026 · May 2026 · Scorpio

May 26, 2026

Kyösti Virrankoski dead at age 82, Finnish politician, MP, MEP

the Finnish politician who served as an MP from 1991 to 1995 and as an MEP from 1996 to 2009, died on May 21, 2026, at the age of 82. Born in Kauhava on April 4, 1944, he represented the… · 21 May 2026 · May 2026 · Aries

May 21, 2026

Timo Kautonen public figure dead at age 81

a Finnish footballer, died on May 6, 2026, at the age of 81. He played 42 matches for the Finland national football team from 1964 to 1976 and spent more than 20 seasons with Lahti-based clubs, בעיקר with Reipas Lahti.… · 06 May 2026 · May 2026

May 6, 2026

Vuokko Nurmesniemi Finnish textile designer dead at age 96

the Finnish textile designer known for her work at Marimekko, died on April 19, 2026, at the age of 96. Born Vuokko Hillevi Lilian Eskolin in Helsinki on February 12, 1930, she studied ceramics at the Institute of Industrial Arts… · 19 April 2026 · April 2026

April 19, 2026

Juha Miettinen Finnish racing driver, racing incident dead at age 66

2026, in a racing incident. He was a Finnish racing driver. No further details were provided about his career or personal life · 18 April 2026 · April 2026 · April 18

April 18, 2026

Erik Kruskopf Finnish art critic dead at age 95

a Finnish art critic, died on April 14, 2026, at the age of 95. He was also an art historian and writer and was a member of Finland’s Swedish-speaking community. Kruskopf served as director of the Nordic Art Centre near… · 14 April 2026 · April 2026

April 14, 2026

Irmeli Mäkelä Pop singer dead at age 83

a Finnish pop singer, died on March 15, 2026, at the age of 83. Born Hellä Muisto Irmeli Mäkelä in Kotka on October 18, 1942, she began her pop singing career at 15 after competing in a local singing contest… · 15 March 2026 · March 2026

March 15, 2026

Ralf Friberg Finnish journalist and politician dead at age 89

a Finnish journalist, diplomat and politician, died on March 13, 2026. He served as a Social Democratic MP and worked in journalism at Västra Nyland, Östra Nyland and Vasabladet in the late 1950s. Friberg was also Parliamentary and Labor Market… · 13 March 2026 · March 2026

March 13, 2026

Rauno Lehtiö Finnish Olympic ice hockey player dead at age 84

a Finnish ice hockey player and 1964 Olympic competitor, died on March 9, 2026, in Tampere at the age of 84. Born in Tampere on March 3, 1942, he played in the men's ice hockey tournament at the 1964 Winter… · 09 March 2026 · March 2026

March 9, 2026

Ari Salin Finnish Olympic hurdler and sprinter dead at age 79

a Finnish hurdler and sprinter who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics, died on March 4, 2026. Born on January 20, 1947, he set Finnish records in both the 110 metres hurdles and the 400 metres hurdles. Salin won his… · 04 March 2026 · March 2026

March 4, 2026

Veikko Virtanen Organ builder dead at age 97

a Finnish organ builder, died on February 17, 2026, at the age of 97. Born Veikko Armas Virtanen in Helsinki on June 14, 1928, he built organs through his company, Urkurakentamo Veikko Virtanen OY, which was based in Espoo. The… · 17 February 2026 · February 2026 · Other

February 17, 2026

Esa Pakarinen Jr. Finnish actor dead at age 78

a Finnish actor, died on February 12, 2026, at the age of 78. Born in Varkaus on December 12, 1947, he worked as an actor, comedian, director and puppeteer from 1977 to 2026. After graduating from the Helsinki Theatre Academy,… · 12 February 2026 · February 2026

February 12, 2026

Pekka Vennamo Finnish politician dead at age 81

a Finnish politician and corporate executive, died on February 10, 2026. He led the Finnish Rural Party from 1979 to 1989 and served in the Parliament of Finland from 1972 to 1975 for the constituency of Helsinki and again from… · 10 February 2026 · February 2026

February 10, 2026

Pentti Lindegren Finnish ice hockey player and commentator dead at age 86

a Finnish ice hockey player and commentator, died on February 7, 2026. Born in Hauho on December 18, 1939, he played in Finland for HIFK, in the Finnish Championship series for Karhu-Kissat and in the I division for Reippaa. He… · 07 February 2026 · February 2026

February 7, 2026

Leo Hilokoski Finnish bowler dead at age 84

a Finnish bowler, died on February 4, 2026. Born in Helsinki in 1941, he won the world team bowling title in 1975 and the European championship in 1973. He also took the personal Finnish Championship in 1978 and won the… · 04 February 2026 · February 2026 · Other

February 4, 2026

Manne Liimatainen Finnish Olympic cross-country skier dead at age 82

a Finnish cross-country skier, died on February 1, 2026, at age 82. Born on March 31, 1943, in Kannonkoski, Finland, he competed in the men's 15 kilometre event at the 1972 Winter Olympics. He died in Kuusamo · 01 February 2026 · February 2026

February 1, 2026

Freddy Ehrström Finnish Olympic sailor dead at age 100

a Finnish Olympic sailor, died on January 21, 2026. Born Fredrik August Ehrström on August 29, 1925, in Helsinki, Finland, he competed in the Star event at the 1960 Summer Olympics. He also worked as an administrator with the International… · 21 January 2026 · January 2026 · Other

January 21, 2026