Finland’s outgoing prime minister, Sanna Marin, announced her divorce from her husband on Wednesday, a month after his defeat in parliamentary elections.
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“We filed for divorce together. We are grateful for the 19 years together,” said the 37-year-old director on her Instagram account.
PHOTO BY INSTAGRAM/SANNA MARIN
She and her future ex-husband Markus Räikkönen, with whom she has a 5-year-old daughter, are “still best friends,” she assured.
Following her electoral defeat in early April, Sanna Marin announced that she would leave the Social Democratic Party leadership in September to become a rank-and-file MP, also shattering speculation of a major international post.
Referring to the “great honor” of having led the government for three and a half years, the person who became an internationally recognized personality during her tenure also acknowledged “extraordinarily difficult times”.
“I honestly have to admit that my own stamina has been tested over the years,” she explained.
“I hope that with this responsibility I will lead a somewhat quieter life.”
Her election defeat marked an end to the rapid rise of the person who, at the end of 2019, had become the world’s youngest prime minister at just 34 years old.
She had made headlines around the world, leading a coalition led by five women, all under the age of 35.
Marin then built international reputation by successfully leading her country through the COVID-19 pandemic and Finland’s historic NATO membership.
Described as a “rock star prime minister”, she is rather controversial in her country, having been criticized for deteriorating public finances and inflation.
She also caught tabloid attention in August 2022 when videos of her partying wildly with friends leaked online.
The incident had brought him criticism of his exercise of power, but also many supporters in view of the attacks, which were considered misogynistic.