Sanna Marin, Finland’s outgoing Prime Minister, and her husband Markus Raikkonen announced on Wednesday that they have filed for divorce jointly. In separate Instagram stories, they expressed gratitude for their 19 years together and their daughter, adding that they would remain best friends.
The couple shares a 5-year-old daughter and got married in 2020 while Marin was dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as the Prime Minister. After their wedding, Marin wrote on Instagram, “We have lived our youth together, entered adulthood together, and grown into parents for our dear daughter together.”
Marin, who at the age of 34 became the world’s youngest serving Prime Minister in 2019, lost Finland’s election for parliament last month. Her Social Democratic Party trailed behind the right-wing National Coalition Party and the nationalist Finns Party. Marin’s popularity abroad has made her a role model for many young people around the world, as a progressive leader from the millennial generation.
During her tenure as Prime Minister, Marin made headlines for her efforts to address climate change and improve gender equality. She also gained attention for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing measures such as border restrictions, social distancing, and remote learning to slow the spread of the virus.
Despite her loss in the recent election, Marin remains a popular figure in Finland and is expected to continue to play a significant role in Finnish politics. She has indicated that she plans to remain in politics and continue to work towards her goals of fighting climate change and promoting social justice.
The divorce announcement has come as a surprise to many of Marin’s supporters, who have followed her personal life as well as her political career. However, the joint announcement has been praised by some for its mature and amicable tone, with many expressing their support for both Marin and Raikkonen as they navigate this difficult time.