Editing Tarja Halonen

{{Short description|President of Finland from 2000 to 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Tarja Halonen
| caption             = Halonen in 2011
| image               = Tarja Halonen 1c389 8827-2.jpg
| office              = 11th [[President of Finland]]
| primeminister       = [[Paavo Lipponen]]<br />[[Anneli Jäätteenmäki]]<br />[[Matti Vanhanen]]<br />[[Mari Kiviniemi]]<br />[[Jyrki Katainen]]
| term_start          = 1 March 2000
| term_end            = 1 March 2012
| predecessor         = [[Martti Ahtisaari]]
| successor           = [[Sauli Niinistö]]
| office1             = [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Finland)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]]
| primeminister1      = Paavo Lipponen
| term_start1         = 13 April 1995
| term_end1           = 25 February 2000
| predecessor1        = [[Paavo Rantanen]]
| successor1          = [[Erkki Tuomioja]]
| office2             = [[Minister of Justice (Finland)|Minister of Justice]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://valtioneuvosto.fi/tietoa/historiaa/hallitukset-ja-ministerit/raportti/-/r/v9l/9 |title=Council of State – Ministers of Justice |publisher=Valtioneuvosto.fi |access-date=27 December 2017 |archive-date=28 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228054124/http://valtioneuvosto.fi/tietoa/historiaa/hallitukset-ja-ministerit/raportti/-/r/v9l/9 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| primeminister2      = [[Harri Holkeri]]
| term_start2         = 28 February 1990
| term_end2           = 26 April 1991
| predecessor2        = [[Matti Louekoski]]
| successor2          = [[Hannele Pokka]]
| office3             = [[Parliament of Finland|Member of the Finnish Parliament]]
| term_start3         = 24 March 1979
| term_end3           = 29 February 2000
| constituency3       = [[Helsinki (constituency)|Helsinki]]
| successor3          = [[Ilkka Taipale]]<ref>[http://www.eduskunta.fi/triphome/bin/hx5000.sh?${APPL}=hetekaue&${BASE}=hetekaue&${THWIDS}=2.52/1333046932_33337&${oohtml}=hex/hx3510&${html}=hex/hx3510&${snhtml}=hex/hxnosynk Eduskunta – edustajamatrikkeli] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523234014/http://www.eduskunta.fi/triphome/bin/hx5000.sh?%24%7BAPPL%7D=hetekaue&%24%7BBASE%7D=hetekaue&%24%7BTHWIDS%7D=2.52%2F1333046932_33337&%24%7Boohtml%7D=hex%2Fhx3510&%24%7Bhtml%7D=hex%2Fhx3510&%24%7Bsnhtml%7D=hex%2Fhxnosynk |date=23 May 2013 }}</ref>
| birth_name          = Tarja Kaarina Halonen
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1943|12|24|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Helsinki]], Finland
| party               = [[Social Democratic Party of Finland|Social Democratic]]
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Pentti Arajärvi]]|2000}}
| children            = Anna Halonen
| alma_mater          = [[University of Helsinki]]
| signature           = Tarja Halonen signature.svg
| website             = {{URL|https://presidenthalonen.fi/en/|Official website}}
}}
'''Tarja Kaarina Halonen''' ({{IPA|fi|ˈtɑrjɑ (ˈkɑːrinɑ) ˈhɑlonen|pron|Fi-Tarja_Halonen.ogg}}, born 24 December 1943) is a [[Finns|Finnish]] politician who served as the 11th [[president of Finland]], and the first and to date only woman to hold the position, from 2000 to 2012. She first rose to prominence as a lawyer with the [[Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions]] (SAK), and as the [[Prime Minister of Finland|Prime Minister]]'s parliamentary secretary (1974–1975) and a member of the [[City Council of Helsinki]] (1977–1996). Halonen was a [[Social Democratic Party of Finland|Social Democratic Party]] [[Eduskunta|member of parliament]] from [[1979 Finnish parliamentary election|1979]] until her election to the presidency in [[2000 Finnish presidential election|2000]].<ref>Skard, Torild (2014) "Finland's three national leaders" in ''Women of power – half a century of female presidents and prime ministers worldwide'', Bristol: Policy Press, {{ISBN|978-1-44731-578-0}}</ref> She also served as a minister at the [[Ministry of Social Affairs and Health]] from 1987 to 1990, as [[Minister of Justice (Finland)|Minister of Justice]] from 1990 to 1991, and as [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Finland)|Minister for Foreign Affairs]] from 1995 to 2000.

Halonen was an extremely popular president, with her approval ratings reaching a peak of 88 percent in December 2003. She was re-elected in [[2006 Finnish presidential election|2006]], defeating [[National Coalition Party]] candidate [[Sauli Niinistö]] in the second round by 51% to 48%. Ineligible to run in the [[2012 Finnish presidential election|2012 presidential elections]] because of term limits, Halonen left office on 1 March 2012 and was succeeded by Niinistö.

Widely known for her interest in human rights issues, Halonen served as the chairperson of the Finnish [[LGBT]] rights organization [[Seta (organization)|Seta]] in the 1980s, and she actively participated in the discussion of issues such as [[women's rights]] and the problems of [[globalization]] during her presidency. In 2006, she was mentioned by various commentators as a potential candidate for the [[United Nations Secretary-General selection, 2006|United Nations Secretary-General selection]], but she denied an interest at that time, stating that she wanted to finish her term as president before thinking about other career options.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unsg.org/candidates.html|title=Candidates|year=2006|publisher=United Nations}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.equalitynow.org/english/actions/action_1102_en.html|title=The Next United Nations Secretary-General: Time for a Woman|date=November 2005|publisher=[[Equality Now]]|access-date=24 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071125074021/http://www.equalitynow.org/english/actions/action_1102_en.html|archive-date=25 November 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2009, ''[[Forbes]]'' named her among the 100 most powerful women in the world.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/11/power-women-09_The-100-Most-Powerful-Women_Rank_3.html | title = The 100 Most Powerful Women | magazine = Forbes.com | date=19 August 2009}}</ref>

Halonen is a member of the [[Council of Women World Leaders]], an international network of current and former women presidents and prime ministers whose mission is to mobilize the highest-level women leaders globally for collective action on issues of critical importance to women and equitable development.

Since the death of [[Martti Ahtisaari]] in 2023, Halonen is currently the oldest living former president of Finland.<ref>Salo, Sanna: [https://www.iltalehti.fi/viihdeuutiset/a/9738d49d-3f7a-411f-acc4-dd04a1c1aea9 Tältä näytti Ahtisaaren viimeinen yhteiskuva presidenttien kanssa], ''[[Iltalehti]]'' 16 October 2023. Accessed on 13 November 2023.</ref>

==Early life and career==
[[File:Tarja Halonen 1948.jpg|thumb|left|5-year-old Tarja Halonen in 1948]]
Tarja Halonen was born on 24 December 1943 in the district of [[Kallio]], which at the time was a traditional working-class area in central Helsinki. Her mother Lyyli Elina Loimola was a set-dresser and her father Vieno Olavi Halonen worked as a [[welder]]. Halonen's parents married at the beginning of World War II and Tarja was born a few years later. Vieno Halonen was at the frontline during the [[Continuation War]] and Lyyli Halonen was working in a shoe factory when their daughter was born.<ref name="kb">{{cite web|url=https://kansallisbiografia.fi/kansallisbiografia/henkilo/4064|title=Halonen, Tarja (1943 - )|work=[[The National Biography of Finland]]|access-date=April 2, 2022|language=fi}}</ref> When Halonen was two years old, her father Vieno Halonen went to the [[kiosk]] to buy a magazine and no longer returned home to his family. Halonen has not commented much on the incident since, but Halonen's parents officially divorced in 1948. Vieno Halonen was an award-winning soldier who fought in the 26th Infantry Regiment, so-called ''Ace Regiment''. Vieno Halonen was wounded three times during the war and after the war he was awarded first, second and fourth class [[Order of the Cross of Liberty]] medals. In later interviews, Tarja Halonen has said that she has met her father only a few times.<ref>{{cite book| author= Hannu Lehtilä | title= Tarja Halonen, yksi meistä | page=19 | year= 2005 | publisher= [[Otava (publisher)|Otava]] | isbn= 951-1-19792-4 | language= fi}}</ref>

After the divorce, in 1950, Lyyli Halonen married her new husband Thure Forss, who worked as an [[electrician]] and was very active in the working-class community. Both Halonen's mother and her stepfather influenced her world view extensively. Halonen later said that her mother was a true survivor, always an extremely active and resilient person who valued good, honest and modest hardworking people.<ref name="kb"/> When she entered politics, Halonen stated that these are also the qualities and attributes she respects in people.

In 1950 she began her studies in Kallio Elementary school from where she later moved to Kallio [[Gymnasium (school)|Gymnasium]] and finally finished her matriculation examination in 1962. She began to study [[Art History]] in the [[University of Helsinki]] in 1962 but in autumn 1963 she changed her studies to law, and obtained her [[Master of Laws]] degree in 1968 specializing in [[criminal law]].<ref name="kb"/>

She began to work as a lawyer, already before obtaining her degree, in a credit surveillance company ''Luotonvalvonta oy'' in 1967. After working there for a few years, she was hired by the National Union of University Students in Finland to work as a Social Affairs and General Secretary from 1969 to 1970. Her work in the Union spurred her interest in politics, and in 1970 she obtained a post as a lawyer in the [[Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions]], being the first female ever to work as a lawyer in the Union.<ref name="kb"/>

==Political career: 1970–2000==
[[File:Tarja-Halonen-1975.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Tarja Halonen in 1975, working Finnish Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister.]]

=== Trade unionist ===
In 1971, Halonen joined the [[Social Democratic Party of Finland|Social Democratic Party]] which had close ties with the trade unions in which she worked as a lawyer from 1970 to 1974.

In early 1970, she was elected to represent Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions in a committee that called for the recognition of [[East Germany]].<ref name="ddr"/> Later she became the Vice-President of the committee, which lobbied then-President [[Urho Kekkonen]].<ref name="ddr">{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070915061028/http://www.aamulehti.fi/teema/ddr/43981.shtml |date=15 September 2007 |title=Halonen toimi DDR:n hyväksi luultua aktiivisemmin }} from [http://www.aamulehti.fi/teema/ddr/43981.shtml the original] [[Aamulehti]]</ref><ref name="HS92">{{cite web|url=https://www.hs.fi/kirjautuminen/kirjaudu?TYPE=33554433&REALMOID=06-4c9c307e-d271-481c-8dde-6011f8129ca8&GUID=&SMAUTHREASON=0&METHOD=GET&SMAGENTNAME=hs-www-01&TARGET=-SM-http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hs.fi%2Farkisto%2Fartikkeli%2F920712023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130213105441/https://www.hs.fi/kirjautuminen/kirjaudu?TYPE=33554433&REALMOID=06-4c9c307e-d271-481c-8dde-6011f8129ca8&GUID=&SMAUTHREASON=0&METHOD=GET&SMAGENTNAME=hs-www-01&TARGET=-SM-http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hs.fi%2Farkisto%2Fartikkeli%2F920712023|url-status=dead|title=HS – Sisäänkirjautuminen|date=13 February 2013|archive-date=13 February 2013|access-date=28 May 2018}}</ref> During the presidential elections of 2006 she was criticized by rivals for this. She responded that the committee was formed by members from many different political parties including conservative parties. In 1973, Finland recognized both East Germany and [[West Germany]] as sovereign states.<ref>[http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Professor+says+allegations+of+President+Halonen%E2%80%99s+GDR+activism+are+untrue/1135230268074 Professor says allegations of President Halonen’s GDR activism are untrue] [[Helsingin Sanomat]], 13 September 2007  {{Cite web |url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Professor%2Bsays%2Ballegations%2Bof%2BPresident%2BHalonen%E2%80%99s%2BGDR%2Bactivism%2Bare%2Buntrue/1135230268074 |title=Helsingin Sanomat - International Edition - Home |access-date=26 July 2017 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022010642/http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Professor%2Bsays%2Ballegations%2Bof%2BPresident%2BHalonen%E2%80%99s%2BGDR%2Bactivism%2Bare%2Buntrue/1135230268074 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

===First elections===
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=November 2024}}
In 1974, Prime Minister [[Kalevi Sorsa]] appointed Halonen as his [[parliamentary secretary]]. She became acquainted with the world of Finnish politics and government and her political career took a great step forward, as she went on to hold a number of public offices. Sorsa later said that he wanted his parliamentary secretary to have good ties with the trade unions of Finland and have skills in [[jurisprudence]].

Working in [[Parliament of Finland|Parliament]] made Halonen even more interested in politics and she decided to take part in the municipal elections of 1976. She was elected to the City Council of Helsinki, a position she held continuously for five terms from 1977 to 1996. Additionally in 1979, she was elected into Parliament as a representative of the [[Helsinki (constituency)|Helsinki constituency]]. She served five full terms and less than a year of her sixth term in Parliament until her inauguration as president in 2000. In Parliament, her first formal post was as the chairman of the Social Committee, which she held from 1984 to 1987.

===Ministerial career===
In 1987, Halonen was appointed Minister of Social Affairs and Health by Prime Minister [[Harri Holkeri]]. Halonen held the position until 1990. In addition to this, she served as [[Minister for Nordic Cooperation (Finland)|Minister for Nordic Cooperation]] from 1989 to 1991, the same year in which she was also appointed the chairman of the International Solidarity Foundation, a post she relinquished in 2000.

From 1990 to 1991, she served as Minister of Justice, and from 1995 until her election to the presidency, she served as the [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Finland)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]] in the [[Lipponen I Cabinet]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://formin.finland.fi/public/?contentid=41366&contentlan=1&culture=fi-FI |title=Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland – Ministers of Foreign Affairs |publisher=Valtioneuvosto.fi |access-date=30 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214163934/http://formin.finland.fi/public/?contentid=41366&contentlan=1&culture=fi-FI |archive-date=14 February 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

==Presidential campaign==
===2000 presidential campaign===
{{Main|2000 Finnish presidential election}}
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=November 2024}}
Halonen announced in 1999 that she wished to stand as a candidate for president in the [[2000 Finnish presidential election|2000 presidential elections]]. In the preliminary elections of the Social Democrats Halonen ran against [[Pertti Paasio]], a member of the European Parliament and former party chairman, and [[Jacob Söderman]], the [[European Ombudsman]]. The incumbent, [[Martti Ahtisaari]], refused to run in party preliminaries and thus announced that he would not run for a second term. Halonen won the preliminaries by a landslide, getting 7,800 out of 12,800 votes.

Halonen was a surprising candidate as she did not represent many traditional values: she was known as a left-wing social democratic party member, who lived in a [[domestic partnership]], was a [[single parent]] and had resigned from [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland|the national church]]. Despite starting from fourth place in the presidential election polls, in the first round of the elections, Halonen received the most votes, 40.0%. Her nearest opponent, former prime minister [[Esko Aho]] of the [[Centre Party (Finland)|Centre Party]], received 34.4% of votes.

Since neither of the two candidates got over 50% of the votes, a second round was held. In the second round, Halonen narrowly defeated her opponent with 51.6% against 48.4%, thus becoming Finland's first [[List of elected and appointed female heads of state and government|female head of state]]. Her first term began on 1 March 2000.

===2006 presidential campaign===
[[File:Halonen Changemaker.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Halonen in March 2005]]
[[File:Halonen and Lula.jpg|thumb|Halonen together with [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]], then [[President of Brazil]].]]
{{Main|2006 Finnish presidential election}}
On 20 May 2005, Halonen held a press conference in [[Mäntyniemi]] where she announced her willingness to run for a second term. Officially, this was the desired answer for the SDP delegation that had visited her two days earlier. In addition to her own party's support, the leader of the [[Left Alliance (Finland)|Left Alliance]], [[Suvi-Anne Siimes]], gave her support for Halonen's future campaign.

[[Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions|SAK]] openly lobbied for her re-election. It used its members' money on [[mudslinging]] campaigns on behalf of Halonen. In those flyers, "Niinistö is presented as the horror of worker, whereas SAK-supported Halonen is like a worker's dream". Halonen said she approved of the flyers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/arkisto.shtml/arkistot/kotimaa/2006/01/419943 |title=Niinistö kiistää SAK:n syytökset |access-date=21 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612121644/http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/arkisto.shtml/arkistot/kotimaa/2006/01/419943 |archive-date=12 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A study analyzed newspaper articles and concluded that the main newspaper ''[[Helsingin Sanomat]]'' produced almost exclusively positive tone stories about Halonen and much more negative tone articles about candidates Niinistö, Vanhanen and Hautala.<ref>[http://www.city.fi/artikkeli/Halonen+Halonen+Halonen/1768/ Halonen, Halonen, Halonen – Onko presidentti valtamedian erityissuosiossa?]. City</ref>

American talk show host [[Conan O'Brien]] made recurring jokes about Halonen on his show, ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]'', because of his own resemblance to her.<ref name="Lookalike"/> He endorsed Halonen and produced humorous mock campaign ads and attack ads against her opponents. He went as far as visiting Finland and meeting Halonen.<ref name="Lookalike">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-02-14-obrien-finland_x.htm|title=Conan O'Brien meets with Finnish leader|date=14 February 2006|newspaper=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060304222105/https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-02-14-obrien-finland_x.htm |archive-date=March 4, 2006 |access-date=20 March 2024}}</ref>

On 19 November, the SDP's party council meeting was held; praised as "the president of the whole nation", she was unanimously chosen as the presidential candidate. Shortly thereafter, the party council of the Left Alliance gave the party's official support to Halonen.

Halonen's received 46% of the first round vote in the election. [[Sauli Niinistö]] (of the [[Kokoomus|National Coalition Party]]) was second with 24%. They faced each other in a runoff on 29 January 2006, where Halonen was re-elected with 51.8% of the vote against Mr. Niinistö's 48.2%. The re-election was a close call. She led in the advance voting, but she eventually received fewer votes on the actual voting day than Mr. Niinistö did.

==Presidency==
===First term: 2000–2006===
[[File:Vladimir Putin in Finland 2-3 September 2001-8.jpg|thumb|right|[[Russian President]] [[Vladimir Putin]] and Tarja Halonen in Helsinki, 2–3 September 2001.]]
[[File:President Tarja Halonen and Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz in 2002.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Tarja Halonen and [[Paul Wolfowitz]] in 2002]]
[[File:Tarja Halonen 2003.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Halonen visit to [[Brazil]], in October 2003]]
After her narrow election victory in the first election, Halonen's approval ratings rose and reached a peak of 88% in December 2003.

In a 2001 interview Halonen said that she was worried about the Russian response if NATO approved membership bids by [[Baltic countries]].<ref>[http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/arkisto.shtml/arkistot/kotimaa/2001/04/54353 Halonen: Baltian maiden liittyminen Natoon epäilyttää]. MTV3. 8 April 2001</ref> Latvian President [[Vaira Vike-Freiberga]] asked what she meant and whether Halonen is actively opposing NATO membership of Baltic countries.<ref>[http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/arkisto.shtml/arkistot/kotimaa/2001/05/58431 Halosen Nato-lausunnoista kohu]. MTV3. 7 May 2001</ref>

In the ''Iraqgate'' scandal, Halonen's advisor Martti Manninen leaked confidential documents to the Centre Party leader [[Anneli Jäätteenmäki]], who had become prime minister. The revelations led to the resignation of Jäätteenmäki.<ref>[http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Book+on+Iraq+leak+scandal+Manninen+leaked+secret+documents+out+of+job+frustration/1076152898381 Book on Iraq leak scandal: Manninen leaked secret documents out of job frustration]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020184240/http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Book%2Bon%2BIraq%2Bleak%2Bscandal%2BManninen%2Bleaked%2Bsecret%2Bdocuments%2Bout%2Bof%2Bjob%2Bfrustration/1076152898381 |date=20 October 2012 }}</ref>

Halonen has opposed the use of [[landmines]] in Finnish military doctrine.<ref>[http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Halonen+criticised+as+global+do-gooder+PM+Vanhanen+comes+to+President%E2%80%99s+defence/1076152567277 Halonen criticised as global do-gooder; PM Vanhanen comes to President’s defence]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020061213/http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Halonen%2Bcriticised%2Bas%2Bglobal%2Bdo-gooder%2BPM%2BVanhanen%2Bcomes%2Bto%2BPresident%E2%80%99s%2Bdefence/1076152567277 |date=20 October 2012 }}</ref>

Halonen has defended [[cluster bomb]]s and did not sign a treaty which would have banned Finland from using these kinds of weapons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uusisuomi.fi/kotimaa/39742-halonen-kiistellysta-sopimuksesta-suomella-ei-ollut-mahdollisuuksia|title=Halonen puolustaa rypälepommeja: "Suomella ei ole mahdollisuuksia"|date=31 October 2008 |access-date=28 May 2018}}</ref>

===Second term: 2006–2012===
[[File:Dmitry Medvedev in Finland 21 July 2010-1.jpeg|thumb|Tarja Halonen (right) meeting with the third President of Russia [[Dmitry Medvedev]] and the then Prime Minister of Finland [[Mari Kiviniemi]] (left) in 2010.]]
[[File:Tarja Halonen with Obamas.jpg|thumb|200px|left|President Halonen and Pentti Arajärvi with [[President of the United States|US President]] [[Barack Obama]] and [[Michelle Obama]] on 2009 in New York.]]
[[File:Joe Biden and Tarja Halonen in Helsinki in 2011.jpg|thumb|200px|left|[[Vice President of the United States|US Vice President]] [[Joe Biden]] and President Halonen on March 8, 2011 in Helsinki.]]
[[File:Ministru prezidents un Somijas prezidente (4681632596).jpg|thumb|200px|Tarja Halonen with Prime Minister of Latvia [[Valdis Dombrovskis]]]]
In 2008, Halonen nominated SDP-affiliated Ritva Viljanen for a second term in the Ministry of the Interior. The government had nominated Ilkka Laitinen. Over the course of the previous 50 years, the President had only once chosen to not obey the government's consensus, leading to Halonen thusly being accused of cronyism.<ref>[http://www.hs.fi/politiikka/artikkeli/Halonen+nimitti+Viljasen+sis%C3%A4ministeri%C3%B6n+kansliap%C3%A4%C3%A4llik%C3%B6ksi/1135238647679 Halonen nimitti Viljasen sisäministeriön kansliapäälliköksi]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020060751/http://www.hs.fi/politiikka/artikkeli/Halonen%2Bnimitti%2BViljasen%2Bsis%C3%A4ministeri%C3%B6n%2Bkansliap%C3%A4%C3%A4llik%C3%B6ksi/1135238647679 |date=20 October 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/uutinen.asp?id=1570955|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080816034114/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/uutinen.asp?id=1570955|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 August 2008|title=Uutiset – Ilta-Sanomat|website=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=28 May 2018}}</ref>

In September 2008, Halonen was perceived as insulting [[Estonia]] by saying that the Estonians suffer from a "post-Soviet stress condition". [[President of Estonia]] [[Toomas Hendrik Ilves]] commented on the issue, saying that "Estonia has never condemned, and will not condemn the foreign affairs decisions of another EU country. It will also not assess the psychiatric state of other EU countries".<ref>[http://www.kauppalehti.fi/5/i/talous/uutiset/etusivu/uutinen.jsp?oid=2008/09/14334&ext=rss Halonen suututti virolaiset]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218100646/http://www.kauppalehti.fi/5/i/talous/uutiset/etusivu/uutinen.jsp?oid=2008%2F09%2F14334&ext=rss |date=18 February 2012 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.ksml.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/yle-halosen-lausunto-kuohuttaa-virossa/219378 Yle: Halosen lausunto kuohuttaa Virossa] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716234103/http://www.ksml.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/yle-halosen-lausunto-kuohuttaa-virossa/219378 |date=16 July 2011 }}</ref> In 2009, Halonen rejected calls to apologize for Finland's attitude towards Estonian independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.<ref>[http://suomenkuvalehti.fi/jutut/kotimaa/tarja-halonen-en-lampene-kollektiivisille-anteeksipyynnoille Tarja Halonen: "En lämpene kollektiivisille anteeksipyynnöille"]. Suomen Kuvalehti</ref>

At the end of her second term Halonen's presidency and economic views received harsh criticism from [[Björn Wahlroos]], the chairman of the two largest banks in Finland.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Bj%C3%B6rn+Wahlroos+%E2%80%93+a+portrait+of+a+capitalist/1329103438342 |title=Björn Wahlroos – a portrait of a capitalist |last=Ahtiainen |first=Ilkka |author2=Blåfield, Antti |date=12 February 2012 |work=HS.fi International Edition |publisher=Sanoma |access-date=19 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219070554/http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Bj%C3%B6rn%2BWahlroos%2B%E2%80%93%2Ba%2Bportrait%2Bof%2Ba%2Bcapitalist/1329103438342 |archive-date=19 February 2012  }}</ref>

==Political views==
Early in her political career Halonen represented the far-left wing of the SDP. She publicly opposed the proposed free trade agreement of the [[European Economic Community]] in 1973, by signing a petition along with 500 other prominent social democrats and socialists. Otherwise she was loyal{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}} to President [[Urho Kekkonen|Kekkonen]]'s foreign policy, which was founded on Finnish neutrality and good relations with the [[Soviet Union]]. Markku Salomaa's 2021 book ''Tarza – Pasifistin odysseia voimapolitiikan maailmassa'' states that [[Chancellor of Germany|Chancellor]] [[Angela Merkel]] had a very negative attitude towards Halonen, precisely because of her pro-Soviet and far-left wing world of ideas.<ref>[https://www.iltalehti.fi/politiikka/a/ab707582-1066-40bb-b188-f0d4e822277a IL: Kirjapaljastus: Angela Merkel karsasti Tarja Halosta – ”Ei olisi halunnut edes kätellä”] (in Finnish)</ref> Since 2004, rumors have been circulating on Internet that Halonen gave a [[Vappu|May Day]] speech at [[Hakaniemi Market Square]] in 1976 and hoped that Finland would join the Soviet Union, saying: "Finland would be blessed to join the Soviet Union by peaceful means. At the same time, we would get rid of the yoke of [[capitalism]], because capitalism will die in 20 years. Finland, together with the Soviet Union, could be a pioneer towards a [[communist]] society."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.is.fi/digitoday/art-2000001455235.html|title=Haloshuhu leviää tekstiviestinä ja nettikeskusteluissa|first=Jaakko|last=Kuivalainen|work=[[Ilta-Sanomat]]|date=January 17, 2006|access-date=April 1, 2022|language=fi}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[Finnish News Agency|STT]]'', Halonen herself has completely rejected the gossip, saying: "I have not given any May Day speech in Hakaniemi in 1976, nor can the text be found in the Informant. And if a Social Democrat [[Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions|SAK]] lawyer had given such a May Day speech in the 1970s, the employment relationship would have been rather short."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ts.fi/uutiset/1074094995|title=Halonen torjuu väitteet 1970-luvun vappupuheestaan|work=[[Turun Sanomat]]|date=January 17, 2006|access-date=April 1, 2022|language=fi}}</ref>

Throughout her political career, Halonen has described herself as a supporter of "international solidarity".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Halonen |url=https://suomenpresidentit.fi/en/halonen/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Suomen presidentit |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="martpork">{{Cite web |last=martpork |date=2022-09-26 |title=Finland Turned to NATO Membership with Lightning Speed |url=https://icds.ee/en/finland-turned-to-nato-membership-with-lightning-speed/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=ICDS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-29 |title=Gunel Isakova: the years under 30 are a time to invest in yourself - EU NEIGHBOURS east |url=https://euneighbourseast.eu/news/stories/gunel-isakova-the-years-under-30-are-a-time-to-invest-in-yourself/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=euneighbourseast.eu |language=en-GB}}</ref> She describes herself as a "relative pacifist", meaning that she does not support unilateral disarmament. She has strongly defended the President's role as the commander in chief of the military.<ref>Anna Perho (2005): [http://www.city.fi/artikkeli/Tarja+Halonen/1758/ ''Tarja Halonen – ensimmäinen nainen''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018233918/http://www.city.fi/artikkeli/Tarja+Halonen/1758/ |date=18 October 2009 }} City-lehti 24/2005</ref> She opposed [[NATO]] membership during her tenure. Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, when Finnish public opinion had turned, and the Parliament had debated the issue and decided, in favor of submitting an application for [[Finland–NATO relations|NATO membership]], Halonen also voiced her support on Twitter, calling the move "a necessary measure in the changed security situation in Europe".<ref name="martpork"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-17 |title=Tarja Halonen on Twitter: "Valtiojohdon eli presidentin ja hallituksen sekä eduskunnan työ yhdessä kansalaismielipiteen kanssa luo turvallisen pohjan hakea Nato-jäsenyyttä. Se on tarpeellinen toimenpide Euroopan muuttuneessa turvallisuustilanteessa." / Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/TarjaHalonen/status/1526547578967425025 |access-date=2022-12-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517142338/https://twitter.com/TarjaHalonen/status/1526547578967425025 |archive-date=17 May 2022 }}</ref> Her strong stands on these issues have characterised her presidential term and shaped Finnish foreign policy, in part in cooperation with the like-minded former Minister of Foreign Affairs, [[Erkki Tuomioja]].

Halonen has publicly supported the involvement of the [[Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions]] (SAK) in politics.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wap.mobioutlet.com/uutiset/arkisto.shtml/arkistot/kotimaa/2006/01/421811 |access-date=2023-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203003712/http://wap.mobioutlet.com/uutiset/arkisto.shtml/arkistot/kotimaa/2006/01/421811 |title=Archived |archive-date=3 February 2016}}</ref>

The Constitution of Finland and Halonen's decision to take part in some European Union meetings with the prime minister has created the so-called "problem of two dinner plates" in Finland. Since most other countries only have their prime ministers representing them, it was also decided in Finland that the task is reserved for the Prime Minister in most cases.<ref name="oneortwo">{{cite web |url=https://www.mv.helsinki.fi/home/tforsber/constitutionforeignpolicy.pdf |title=One foreign policy or two? |last=Forsberg |first=Tuomas |date=2001 |access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>[http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/domestic-news/politics/6468-finlands-halonen-plays-down-dark-clouds-over-two-plate-policy.html Finland's Halonen plays down dark clouds over two-plate policy]. Helsinki Times</ref>

On 20 March 2013, Halonen publicly voiced her support for [[Registered partnership in Finland|same-sex marriage]].<ref name="gaymarriage-support-2013">{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/kotimaa.shtml/halonen-vetosi-tasa-arvoisen-avioliittolain-puolesta/2013/03/1724801|title=Halonen vetosi tasa-arvoisen avioliittolain puolesta|publisher=MTV3|agency=Suomen Tietotoimisto|date=20 March 2013|access-date=26 March 2013|language=fi}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Tarja Halonen ja Pentti Arajärvi.jpeg|thumb|Halonen and her husband [[Pentti Arajärvi|Dr. Pentti Arajärvi]] in 2010.]]
Halonen says her interests include [[art history]], the theatre and swimming. She says she speaks [[Finnish language|Finnish]], [[Swedish language|Swedish]], and [[English language|English]], and is studying [[Estonian language|Estonian]]. Halonen had two cats during her presidential term. After they died, she was given a ''Neva Masquerade'' cat in 2013 by Russian prime minister [[Dmitry Medvedev]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000000576655.html|title=Halosen kissa sai nimekseen Meggi: Se on kiltti ja utelias| access-date=7 August 2017 | author=Ilta-Sanomat | year=2013}}</ref>

On 26 August 2000, Halonen married her longtime partner, Dr. [[Pentti Arajärvi]], in a [[civil ceremony]] at her official residence, [[Mäntyniemi]], after a relationship of more than fifteen years. Halonen's adult daughter Anna, and Arajärvi's adult son Esko, acted as witnesses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.presidentti.fi/halonen/public/default5203.html?contentid=173737&nodeid=41416&contentlan=2&culture=en-US|title=The President of the Republic of Finland: Press Releases and News|website=www.presidentti.fi|access-date=2020-04-15}}</ref> Both children are from previous relationships.

She promotes Finland in her personal accoutrements, such as wearing a [[Moomin]] watch.<ref>{{cite book|last=Cord|first=David J.|title=[[Mohamed 2.0: Disruption Manifesto|Mohamed 2.0]]|publisher=[[Schildts & Söderströms]]|year=2012|isbn=978-951-52-2898-7|location=Helsingfors|page=155}}</ref>

In the 1960s, she left the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland]], to which the majority of Finns belong, to protest against its policy of taxing church members and its stance against female priests. The church has since accepted women as priests, and Halonen has stated that she has no personal reason not to return to the church but refrains from doing so in order not to give a signal that might be misinterpreted.<ref>[http://www.presidentti.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=46823 Interview of Halonen in ''Kotimaa'' 12 February 2005.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030155633/http://www.presidentti.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=46823 |date=30 October 2007 }} On the official webpage of the president. Retrieved 10 October 2007. {{in lang|fi}}</ref> In the 1990s, Halonen acted as the chairman of ''Suomen setlementtiliitto'', a Christian social work organization. After her presidential term, Halonen rejoined the Evangelical-Lutheran Church. According to her statements, she had previously refrained from it as it might have been considered an attempt to garner political support.<ref>[https://www.iltalehti.fi/uutiset/a/2013030216739299 HS: Näistä syistä Halonen erosi kirkosta – ja tämän takia hän liittyi takaisin]. Iltalehti 2 March 2013. Retrieved 2016-02-03. {{in lang|fi}}</ref> Since then, Halonen has even preached publicly in a divine service of her home parish of Kallio.<ref>[http://yle.fi/uutiset/presidentti_tarja_halonen_saarnasi_tyottomyydesta_kalliossa/6959609 Presidentti Tarja Halonen saarnasi työttömyydestä Kalliossa.] Yle 28 November 2013. Retrieved from 2016-02-17. {{in lang|fi}}</ref> This is a privilege that the parish priest may grant only in exceptional cases to persons known for their Christian conviction.<ref>[https://www.finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/1993/1055 Kirkkojärjestys, Ch 2, Section 6]. (The by-law of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland). Finlex. Retrieved 17 February 2016. {{in lang|fi}}</ref>

In 1980–1981 Halonen served as the chairman of [[Seta (organization)|Seta]], the main [[LGBT]] rights organization in Finland.<ref name="seta">{{cite web|url=http://www.helsinki.fi/~eisaksso/tarja.html|title=Tarja Halonen & SETA|website=helsinki.fi|access-date=28 May 2018}}</ref>

==Positions==
*Member of the [[Social Democratic Party of Finland|Social Democratic Party]] 1971–2000
*Vice-President of the [[East Germany|GDR]] Recognition Committee 1972–1973
*Prime Minister's Parliamentary Secretary 1974–1975
*Member of Helsinki City Council 1977–1996
*Member of [[Parliament of Finland|Parliament]] (Helsinki constituency) 1979–2000
*Member of the Parliamentary Social Affairs Committee 1979–1986 (chair 1985–1986)
*Deputy member of the Parliamentary Commerce Committee 1979–1982
*Presidential elector 1979–1986
*Member of the Parliamentary Trustees of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland 1980–1984
*Deputy member, Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee 1982–1986
*Minister of Social Affairs and Health 1987–1990
*Minister of Nordic Cooperation 1989–1991
*[[Minister of Justice (Finland)|Minister of Justice]] 1990–1991
*Member and vice chair of the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee 1991–1995
*Chairperson of the [[National Advisory Board on Romani Affairs]] 1993–1995
*Member of the Parliamentary Grand Committee 1993–1995 (chair 1995)
*[[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Finland)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]] 1995–2000
*[[President of Finland]] 2000–2012

== Criticism ==
Halonen was criticized for her view that the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] was handled better in countries with female leaders.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ex-President Halonen faces criticism for coronavirus-related radio remark|url=https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/17949-president-halonen-faces-criticism-for-coronavirus-related-radio-remark.html|access-date=2020-08-10|website=www.helsinkitimes.fi|date=10 August 2020|language=en-gb}}</ref>
[[File:Tarja Halonen 2021. aasta Arvamusfestivalil.jpg|thumb|right|Tarja Halonen at the Opinion Festival 2021 in [[Paide]], Estonia.]]

Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ex-President of Estonia continues to plunder Finnish Soviet era politicians: now in turn Halonen|url= https://www.iltalehti.fi/politiikka/a/637bf201-fad1-4fa7-9f6c-25b8abb1f03f|date=28 Mar 2022}}</ref> and Finnish author Sofi Oksanen<ref>{{Cite web|title=Author Sofi Oksanen is shocked by Tarja Halonen's views about the Soviet Union and the Baltics|url= https://www.is.fi/politiikka/art-2000008719351.html|date=31 Mar 2022}}</ref> have strongly criticized Halonen for perceived unwillingness to publicly condemn Russia’s hostilities in the past. Notably, after the [[Russo-Georgian War|2008 Russian invasion of Georgia]], Halonen referred to Ilves' concerns as "post-Soviet stress".

==Honours and awards==
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|motto            = ''"Yhteisen kansan puolesta"("For a united nation")''
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===Honours===
====National honours====
* Former Grand Master and Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Cross of Liberty]]
* Former Grand Master and Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of the White Rose]] 
* Former Grand Master and Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Lion of Finland|Order of the Lion]]

====Foreign honours====
* {{flag|Austria}}: Grand Star of the [[Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria|Order of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXIV/AB/AB_10542/imfname_251156.pdf | title = Reply to a parliamentary question about the Decoration of Honour | language = de | page=1923 | access-date = 13 January 2013}}</ref>
* {{flag|Belgium}}: Knight Grand Cordon of the [[Order of Leopold (Belgium)|Order of Leopold I]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://c7.alamy.com/comp/GYHTWP/belgiums-queen-paola-1stl-and-king-albert-ii-1str-surround-finlands-GYHTWP.jpg |title=Belgiums Queen Paola and King Albert II Surround Finlands Royalty |website=Alamy Stock Photo |access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref>
* {{flag|Brazil}}: Grand Collar of the [[Order of the Southern Cross]]
* {{flag|Chile}}: Collar of the [[Order of Merit (Chile)|Order of Merit]]
* {{flag|Croatia}}: Recipient of the [[Grand Order of King Tomislav]]<ref group="notes" name="Grand Order of King Tomislav">For outstanding contribution to the development of a full, good and friendly between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Finland – 7 April 2009.</ref>
* {{flag|Denmark}}:
** Knight of the [[Order of the Elephant]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kongehuset.dk/modtagere-af-danske-dekorationer|title=Modtagere af danske dekorationer|website=kongehuset.dk|date=12 December 2017|access-date=5 May 2019|language=da|archive-date=12 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512015518/http://kongehuset.dk/modtagere-af-danske-dekorationer|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/danish-prince-consort-henrik-delivers-a-speech-marking-the-40th-of-picture-id137115795 |title=Danish Prince Consort Henrik Delivers a Speech Marking 40th |website=Gettyimages |access-date=September 3, 2021 |archive-date=28 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428011749/http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/danish-prince-consort-henrik-delivers-a-speech-marking-the-40th-of-picture-id137115795 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.presidentti.fi/www.presidentti.fi/netcomm/ImgLib/9/59/Tanska_huhtikuu_2001_3.jpg |title=Archived copy |access-date=8 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008003924/http://www.presidentti.fi/www.presidentti.fi/netcomm/ImgLib/9/59/Tanska_huhtikuu_2001_3.jpg |archive-date=8 October 2016 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
** Grand Cross of the [[Order of Dannebrog]]
* {{flag|Estonia}}:
** Collar of the [[Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana]]<ref>[http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations/bearers.php?id=134 Estonian Presidency Website], Tarja Halonen</ref>
** Collar of the [[Order of the White Star]]<ref>[http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations/bearers.php?id=5470 Estonian Presidency Website], Tarja Halonen</ref><ref>[http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations/bearers.php?id=2904 Estonian Presidency Website], Tarja Halonen</ref>
* {{flag|France}}: Grand Cross of the [[Legion of Honour|Order of the Legion of Honour]]
* {{flag|Germany}}: Grand Cross Special Class of the [[Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.presidentti.fi/www.presidentti.fi/netcomm/ImgLib/9/181/Saksa_syyskuu_2001_3.jpg |title=Archived copy |access-date=8 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108191038/http://www.presidentti.fi/www.presidentti.fi/netcomm/ImgLib/9/181/Saksa_syyskuu_2001_3.jpg |archive-date=8 January 2017 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
* {{flag|Greece}}:
** Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Redeemer]]
** Grand Cross of the [[Order of Honour (Greece)|Order of Honour]]
* {{flag|Iceland}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of the Falcon]]<ref>[http://falkadb.forseti.is/orduskra/fal03.php?term=Halonen&sub=Leita Icelandese Presidency Website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705035447/http://falkadb.forseti.is/orduskra/fal03.php?term=Halonen&sub=Leita |date=5 July 2013 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Italy}}: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]]
* {{flag|Japan}}: Grand Cordon with Collar of the [[Order of the Chrysanthemum]]
* {{flag|Kazakhstan}}: Collar of the [[Order of the Golden Eagle]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Елбасы Финляндияның жоғары ордендерімен марапатталды|url=http://ontustik.gov.kz/view.php?id=1193|website=ontustik.gov.kz|access-date=20 December 2014|language=kk|date=25 March 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220233525/http://ontustik.gov.kz/view.php?id=1193|archive-date=20 December 2014}}</ref>
* {{flag|Latvia}}: Commander Grand Cross with Chain of the [[Order of the Three Stars]]
* {{flag|Liberia}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Pioneers of Liberia]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.presidentti.fi/www.presidentti.fi/netcomm/ImgLib/9/265/09-Liberia-270.jpg |title=Archived copy |access-date=8 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108191111/http://www.presidentti.fi/www.presidentti.fi/netcomm/ImgLib/9/265/09-Liberia-270.jpg |archive-date=8 January 2017 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
* {{flag|Lithuania}}: Grand Cross with Chain of the [[Order of Vytautas the Great]]<ref>[http://www.lrp.lt/lt/prezidento_veikla/apdovanojimai/apdovanojimai_256/p40.html Lithuanian Presidency] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419212238/http://www.lrp.lt/lt/prezidento_veikla/apdovanojimai/apdovanojimai_256/p40.html |date=19 April 2014 }}, Lithuanian Orders searching form</ref>
* {{flag|Luxembourg}}: Knight of the [[Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://c7.alamy.com/comp/D4HBEJ/finnish-president-tarja-halonen-r-toasts-with-grand-duchess-maria-D4HBEJ.jpg |title=Finnish President Tarja Halonen Toast with Grand Duchess Maria |website=Alamy Stock Photo |access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://c7.alamy.com/comp/D4HBDN/r-l-grand-duke-henri-of-luxembourg-finnish-president-tarja-halonen-D4HBDN.jpg |title=Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Finnish President Tarja Halonen |website=Alamy Stock Photo |access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref>
* {{flag|Netherlands}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of the House of Orange]]
* {{flag|Norway}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of St. Olav]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://c7.alamy.com/comp/GYDDMR/the-wedding-party-of-norways-crown-prince-haakon-and-his-newlywed-GYDDMR.jpg |title=The Wedding Party of Norway's Crown Prince Haakon and His Newlywed |website=Alamy Stock Photo |access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref>
* {{flag|Qatar}}: Collar of the Order of Merit
* {{flag|Poland}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of the White Eagle (Poland)|Order of the White Eagle]]
* {{flag|Portugal}}: Collar of the [[Order of Prince Henry]]
* {{flag|Romania}}: Collar of the [[Order of the Star of Romania]]
* {{flag|Russia}}: Recipient of the [[Medal of Pushkin]]<ref>{{cite web| url = http://eng.kremlin.ru/news/16939| title = Kremlin| date = 30 November 2007}}</ref>
* {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}: First Class of the [[Order of Abdulaziz al Saud]]
* {{flag|Senegal}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Lion (Senegal)|Order of the Lion]]
* {{flag|Slovakia}}: First Class of the [[Order of the White Double Cross]]<ref>Slovak republic website, [http://www.slovak-republic.org/symbols/honours/ State honours] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413004835/http://www.slovak-republic.org/symbols/honours/ |date=13 April 2016 }} : 1st Class received in 2005 (click on "Holders of the Order of the 1st Class White Double Cross" to see the holders' table)</ref>
* {{flag|Slovenia}}: Member of the [[Order for Exceptional Merits (Slovenia)|Decoration for Exceptional Merits]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.gov.si/up-rs/2007-2012/turk-ang-arhiv.nsf/dokumentiweb/37CAEF15515EDB4CC12576E30051A8C5?OpenDocument|title=President of the Republic of Slovenia > Slovenian President on a state visit to Finland|website=www2.gov.si|access-date=28 May 2018}}</ref><ref>[http://www2.gov.si/up-rs/2007-2012/turk-ang-arhiv.nsf/0/F74EB004AF4672BFC12576E300538F79/$File/V_2010-03-09_DRŽAVNIŠKI-OBISK-FINSKA-7_STA.JPG Archive 2007–2012]</ref>
* {{flag|Spain}}: Dame Grand Cross of the [[Order of Isabella the Catholic]]<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1999/02/01/pdfs/A04479-04479.pdf| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141220230408/https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1999/02/01/pdfs/A04479-04479.pdf| url-status = dead| archive-date = 2014-12-20| title = Boletín Oficial del EStado}}</ref>
* {{flag|Sweden}}:
** Member with Collar of the [[Royal Order of the Seraphim]]<ref>[http://cbsnews3.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2006/05/01/4c3831c6-a642-11e2-a3f0-029118418759/resize/620x465/d962ad29bf7d5b1166aa12c02e2e6588/image1568682.jpg CBS News] 1 May 2006</ref><ref>[http://static1.purepeople.com/articles/5/23/13/5/@/159131-la-reine-silvia-de-suede-la-950x0-2.jpg La Reine Silvia de Suede] Pure People</ref>
** Member Grand Cross of the [[Royal Order of the Polar Star]]

=== Awards ===
* Canada: 2014 Fray International Sustainability Award given by FLOGEN Star Outreach <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flogen.org/?p=20&sp=1&bio=Halonen|title = Tarja Halonen winner of the Fray Award}}</ref>

=== Honorary Degrees ===
* [[University of Helsinki]], Faculty of Philosophy, 2010<ref>{{Cite web |title=Honorary doctors {{!}} University of Helsinki |url=https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/people/honorary-doctors |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=www.helsinki.fi |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Kazan (Volga region) Federal University]], 2010<ref>{{Cite web |title=KFU Honorary Doctors and Professors\Global cooperation - Kazan (Volga region) Federal University |url=https://kpfu.ru/eng/international-cooperation/kfu-honorary-doctors-and-professors |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=kpfu.ru}}</ref>
* [[Theatre Academy (Finland)|Theatre Academy Helsinki]], 2009<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-15 |title=Conferment ceremony traditions at Uniarts Helsinki |url=https://www.uniarts.fi/en/general-info/conferment-ceremony-traditions-at-uniarts-helsinki/ |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=Uniarts Helsinki |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Umeå University]], Sweden, 2009<ref>{{Cite web |title=Finland's president Tarja Halonen named honorary doctor at Umeå University |url=https://www.umu.se/en/news/finlands-president-tarja-halonen-named-honorary-doctor-at-umea-university---_5836966/ |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=www.umu.se |language=en}}</ref>
* [[University of Minnesota Duluth]], 2008<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tarja K. Halonen {{!}} University Awards & Honors |url=https://uawards.umn.edu/honorary-degree-recipients/tarja-k-halonen |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=uawards.umn.edu}}</ref>
* [[Helsinki University of Technology]], 2008{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
* [[Yerevan State University]], 2005{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
* [[University of Tartu]], 2004{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
* [[University of Bluefields]], 2004{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
* [[University of Turku]], 2003{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
* [[Finlandia University]], 2003{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
* [[Chinese Academy of Forestry]], 2002{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
* [[Eötvös Loránd University]], 2002{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
* [[University of Kent]], 2002{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
* [[Ewha Womans University]], 2002{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
* [[Helsinki School of Economics]], 2001{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
* [[University of Helsinki]], Faculty of Law, 2000{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

== In popular culture ==
A long-running joke, which stems from the recurring segment "[[List of Late Night with Conan O'Brien sketches#Conan O'Brien Hates My Homeland|Conan O'Brien Hates My Homeland]]", is that American talk show host [[Conan O'Brien]] resembles Tarja Halonen. After joking about this for several months (which led to his endorsement of her campaign), O'Brien travelled to Finland, appeared on several television shows and met President Halonen.<ref>{{cite news|access-date=9 April 2013|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-02-14-obrien-finland_x.htm|title=Conan O'Brien meets with Finnish leader|work=[[USA Today]]|date=14 February 2006|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The trip was filmed and aired as a special.<ref>{{cite news|access-date=26 January 2010|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/01/26/conan.obrien.vacation/index.html?hpt=C2|title=5 places Conan should go on vacation|publisher=CNN|date=26 January 2010|author=Barish, Mike}}</ref>

Halonen also appears as an animated character in the [[political satire]] TV series ''[[The Autocrats]]''.<ref>[https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2021/02/01/itse-valtiaat-nauroi-2000-luvun-poliitikoille-nama-hahmot-olivat-suomen YLE: Itse valtiaat nauroi 2000-luvun poliitikoille – nämä hahmot olivat Suomen huipputehtävissä 20 vuotta sitten] (in Finnish)</ref><ref>[https://www.is.fi/tv-ja-elokuvat/art-2000007775315.html IS: Suomalaisia poliitikkoja ärsyttänyt sensuroimaton Itse valtiaat -sarja alkaa alusta – presidentti Tarja Halonen kutsui tekijät Linnaan] (in Finnish)</ref><ref>[https://www.is.fi/viihde/art-2000000013518.html IS: Tarja Halonen pohti uudelleen Itse Valtialta] (in Finnish)</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of national leaders]] 
* [[List of presidents of Finland]]
* [[Club of Rome]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=notes}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikiquote}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100203092837/http://presidentti.fi/eng/persons/thcv.html Halonen, Tarja Kaarina]
* [http://www.helsinki.fi/~eisaksso/tarja.html Tarja Halonen & Seta]
* [http://sdp.fi/index.php?cid=sdp&mid=863 Social-democratic party of Finland]
* [https://suomenpresidentit.fi/halonen/?lang=en Tarja Halonen] in The Presidents of Finland

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{{s-bef|before=[[Paavo Rantanen]]}}
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[[Category:Tarja Halonen| ]]
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