Famous Estonian Women

Carmen Kass is an Estonian actress, model, and former political candidate. Over the years, Kass has been the face of popular brands like Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior, Gucci, Valentino, Chanel, Michael Kors, Céline, and Calvin Klein. In 2000, she was adjudged one of the two supermodels of the era by Vogue magazine. 

Estonian fashion model Tiiu Kuik, whose modelling agencies include Marilyn New York, D Management Milan and Marilyn Agency in Paris, has walked the ramp for the likes of Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel. She also featured on covers of magazines like Vogue, Elle and Marie Claire; and in fashion advertising campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Valentino among others.  

Kaja Kallas is an Estonian politician and the current Prime Minister of Estonia. She achieved international fame during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 when she lent her support to Ukraine. Under Kaja Kallas' premiership, Estonia is currently playing an important role in Ukraine's war efforts against Russia.

Kersti Kaljulaid is an Estonian politician best known for her service as the President of Estonia from 10 October 2016 to 11 October 2021. Not only is she the first female president of Estonia since its independence in 1918, Kersti Kaljulaid was also the youngest president as she was just 46 years old at the time of her election.

Karmen Pedaru is an Estonian model best known for her long-time association with Michael Kors. Currently ranked as a Money Girl and Industry Icon, Pedaru is one of the most sought-after models in the fashion world. Apart from working for world-renowned brands like Gucci, Ralph Lauren, and Chloé, Karmen Pedaru has also appeared in editorials for magazines like Harper's Bazaar.

Velly Joonas is an Estonian songwriter, musician, poet, and painter. She achieved popularity as a former member of amateur groups like Pirita and Vstretša. In addition to her songwriting career, Velly Joonas has also found fame as a painter and has displayed her oil paintings across Estonia. She currently works as a teacher in Vahenurme.

Marina Kaljurand is an Estonian politician best known for her service as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 16 July 2015 to 12 September 2016. She has also served as the Ambassador of Estonia to countries like the United States, Russia, Canada, Israel, Kazakhstan, and Mexico.

Kadri Simson is an Estonian politician and the current European Commissioner for Energy. An important politician, Simson served as the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure from 23 November 2016 to 29 April 2019.

Kristina Šmigun-Vähi is an Estonian former cross-country skier and politician. She is best known for winning two gold medals at the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy. She then went on to win a silver medal at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada. Kristina also won three silver medals, two bronze medals, and a gold medal at the World Championships.

Triinu Kivilaan is an Estonian singer and former model best known for her association with the all-female rock band Vanilla Ninja, where she performed as a vocalist from 2004 to 2005. She then rejoined the band in 2021, only to leave the band again in 2022. As part of the band, Kivilaan represented Switzerland at the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest.

Marie Under was an Estonian poet who is often counted among the greatest Estonian poets of all time. She was also one of the most translated Estonian authors as her work was translated into more than 25 languages. Marie Under also played an influential role in the Siuru literary movement and helped found the Estonian Writers' Union in 1922.

Mailis Reps is an Estonian politician best known for her service as the Minister of Education and Research on two occasions; from 2005 to 2007 and again from 2016 to 2020. An influential politician, Mailis Reps also served as the Minister of Education from 2002 to 2003.

Leelo Tungal is an Estonian children's writer, poet, editor, translator, and librettist. She is credited with founding a children's magazine called Hea Laps. Over the course of her illustrious career, Leelo Tungal has won many prestigious awards such as the Karl Eduard Sööt Award, Julius Oro Award, Muhv Award, and Baltic Assembly Prize in Literature.

Keit Pentus-Rosimannus is an Estonian politician and the current Minister of Finance. She also served as the Minister of the Environment from 2011 to 2014 and then as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2014 to 2015.

Yana Toom is an Estonian politician and an important member of the Estonian Centre Party. Since 2014, she has been serving as one of the members of the European Parliament. From 2014 to 2021, Yana Toom was one of the members of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. 

Apart from being a three-time Soviet women's chess champion, Woman Grandmaster and International Master Larissa Volpert was also a philologist. She was introduced to chess by her older brother. A specialist in Alexander Pushkin and Mikhail Lermontov’s poetry, too, she taught Russian philology at the University of Tartu in Estonia.

Yoko Alender is an Estonian civil servant, politician, and architect. From 2013 to 2014, she worked as an adviser on design and architecture for the Estonian Ministry of Culture. Yoko Alender is also a trained yoga practitioner and teacher. She is credited with founding the Estonian Institute of Buddhism in 2001.

Belarusian footballer Julia Borisenko was a talented defender and had won major championships, such as the Russian Women's Football Championship with Ryazan and the Belarusian Women's Cup with both Ryazan and Zorka-BDU. She died under mysterious circumstances, at age 28, and it was later revealed that she had drowned.

Liina Kersna is an Estonian civil servant, politician, and journalist. She is best known for her service as the Minister of Education and Research from 26 January 2021 to 14 July 2022. Since 2015, Liina Kersna has been an important member of the famous Estonian Reform Party.

Belarusian basketball player Anastasiya Verameyenka commenced her professional basketball career in 2004 and presently plays as a power forward for the Horizont Minsk. She represented Belarus women's national basketball team at the EuroBasket Women 2007 where she won bronze medal with team; and at the Olympics (2008) where the team finished sixth. Professional basketball player Vladimir Veremeenko is her elder brother.