Tanja Karpela
Tanja Tellervo Karpela (b. 1970, née Vienonen) is the Finnish Minister of Culture. A former beauty queen, Ms. Karpela was elected member of the Finnish Parliament (Eduskunta) from the district of Nylandia in 1999, representing the Centre Party. She was appointed Minister of Culture in Prime Minister Anneli Jäätteenmäki's cabinet in 2003. After the resignation of Ms. Jäätteenmäki, Karpela went on to serve at the same post under Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen.
Karpela caused a stir in 2001 as an MP when it became public that she, a divorcée, had a relationship with then Finance Minister Sauli Niinistö, a widower. Ms. Karpela's Centre Party was in opposition and Mr. Niinistö was considered the second-most influential man in government. Under close press scrutiny ever since, in 2003 Karpela and Niinistö announced their engagement, which was however dissolved in 2004.
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Categories: 1970 births | Finnish politicians