A Finnish cross-country skier and Olympic medalist who later became a member of the European Parliament, known for her athletic achievements and political career.
Sari Essayah is a Finnish retired racewalker and politician who has made waves in both the sports and political arenas. She is best known for being a World Championship winner and European Championship gold medalist in the 10,000 meters race walk, as well as serving as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and current Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in Finland.
Born on February 21, 1967, Essayah's father is from Morocco, and she holds an M.Sc. in business administration and accounting from the University of Vaasa.
During her athletic career, Essayah competed mainly in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters race walk events. She made history by winning the World Championship in 1993 and the European Championship in 1994, setting seven national records that still stand today.
After retiring from sports, Essayah entered politics and represented the Christian Democrats in the Finnish parliament between 2003 and 2007. She served as the party's secretary from 2007 to 2009 and later became a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) in 2009.
In 2011, Essayah undertook godparenthood for Mikola Dziadok, a Belarusian activist and political prisoner. She also ran for the Finnish presidency in 2012, although she came last with 2.47 percent of the votes.
In the 2015 parliamentary elections, Essayah was re-elected to represent the newly formed constituency of Savonia and Karelia with over 11,000 votes. She was later chosen as the vice speaker of the Christian Democrats Parliamentary group and eventually became the chair of her party in August 2015, succeeding Pivi Rsnen.
As of 2023, Essayah serves as the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in Finland. She is also the president of the Finnish Christian Democrats party and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as well as the Ethics Committee of the Finnish Athletics Association since 2014.
Sari Essayah's impressive sports career, combined with her dedication to public service, has made her a respected figure in Finland and beyond. Her commitment to promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles has inspired countless individuals, and her continued involvement in politics has paved the way for future generations of leaders.
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