Tanja Tellervo Karpela[1] (née Vienonen; previouslyKarpela and Saarela; born 22 August 1970) is a Finnish former politician and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Finland 1991. She was a Member of Parliament from 1999 to 2011[1] and served in the government of Finland as Minister of Culture from 2003 to 2007.[2]
Life and career
Karpela was born in Salo.[2] As a beauty queen, she held the title of Miss Finland and represented her country in the Miss Universe 1991.[3] Prior to her political career, she also became famous for her work as an underwear and lingerie model.
In December 2005 Karpela received a Big Brother Award from the Finnish on-line civil rights organization EFFI for proposing Internet traffic blocking software be installed in schools and libraries.[5] She was also a supporter of the 2005 amendment to the Finnish Copyright Act and Penal Code, which has been nicknamed Lex Karpela[6] due to her acceptance of what many perceive to be a highly controversial addition to the Finnish law. In March 2010, Karpela announced that she is no longer pursuing a parliamentary career following the 2011 parliamentary elections.
Personal life
Karpela is a convicted drunk driver[7][8] and since entering politics, she has become most famous for her relationships – she has remarried twice and broken off a third, separate engagement. Karpela caused a stir in 2001 when it became public that she (a divorcée) was having a relationship with Finance MinisterSauli Niinistö (a widower).[3] Karpela's Centre Party was in opposition and Niinistö was considered the second-most influential man in government. Under close press scrutiny ever since, in 2003 Karpela and Niinistö announced their engagement.[3][9] They broke off their engagement in 2004.[3][10]
On 21 May 2006, Karpela married film director Olli Saarela,[1][2] and took her new husband's surname.[11] She filed for divorce from Olli Saarela in November 2007,[12] and on 22 February 2008 she changed her name back to Karpela.[13]
Karpela has two children (born 1995 and 1998) from her previous marriage to Totti Karpela and one (born 2009) from her third marriage to Janne Erjola.[1][2]
^ abcde"Tanja Karpela". Kansanedustajat 1907– (in Finnish). The Finnish Parliament. 2013-09-07. Archived from the original on 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
^ abcdeShe remains, however, most well known for her colourful personal life which has often hit the headlines in the media – a former underwear model, she is a convicted drink driver and is currently on her third marriage.
"Minister of Culture Tanja Saarela". Vanhanen's Cabinet 2003–2007. Finnish Government. Archived from the original on 2007-12-15. Retrieved 2008-09-02.
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