Kaljulaid

Kaljulaid is a Estonian surname. The name is most widely associated with Kersti Kaljulaid, an Estonian economist and public official who served as the fifth President of Estonia from 2016 to 2021. She was the first woman to hold the Estonian presidency and the first to be elected by the Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament, rather than by direct popular vote.

Born in 1969 in Tallinn, Kaljulaid pursued a career in public service and international organizations before her presidency. Her presidency followed a period of political negotiations and multiple rounds of parliamentary ballots, and she was presented as a non-partisan candidate from a cross-party group. During her term, her work focused on reinforcing democratic institutions, promoting the rule of law, and strengthening Estonia’s role within the European Union and NATO, alongside support for digital governance and education.

Kaljulaid’s tenure ended in 2021, and she has remained a public figure within Estonia and in discussions related to European affairs and governance. Her presidency is often noted for breaking gender barriers in Estonian politics and for representing a non-partisan approach to the country’s highest offices.

The surname Kaljulaid is Estonian in origin and is most closely associated with Kersti Kaljulaid, though it may refer to other individuals bearing the same family name. As a public figure, Kersti Kaljulaid’s career is the central reference point in contemporary discussions of the Kaljulaid name.