Notable Alumni of Tallinn University [Sorted List]

1. Lauri Lepik

1960-. (aged 66)

diplomat

Lauri Lepik is an Estonian diplomat and civil servant.

2. Eve-Külli Kala

1959-. (aged 67)

diplomat

Eve-Külli Kala is an Estonian diplomat.

3. Jane Riga

1973-2015 (aged 42)

mountaineer

Jane Riga was an Estonian mountain climber. She died after an avalanche knocked her into 65-foot deep crack in the Cordillera Blanca range in the Andes of northern Peru.

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4. Toomas Vitsut

1960-. (aged 66)

politician

Toomas Vitsut is an Estonian politician, and as appointed chairman of the City Council of Tallinn in 2005. He is also the founder of the institutional round table for resolving the ethnic tensions caused by the conflict around controversial Bronze Soldier statue in Tallinn. Vitsut was born in Tallinn and belongs to the Estonian Centre Party.

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5. Risto Mätas

1984-. (aged 42)

javelin thrower athletics competitor

Risto Mätas is a retired Estonian track and field athlete who competed in the javelin throw. His personal best throw is 83.48 m, achieved in August 2013 in Kohila.

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6. Aarne Ruben

1971-. (aged 55)

writer poet novelist short story writer

Aarne Ruben is an Estonian writer.

7. Sten Priinits

1987-. (aged 39)

fencer

Sten Priinits is an Estonian fencer.

8. Tanel Laanmäe

1989-. (aged 37)

athletics competitor

Tanel Laanmäe is an Estonian track and field athlete who competes in the javelin throw. He won the gold medal at the 2015 Summer Universiade. He has also represented his country at the 2009, 2015 and 2017 World Championships.

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9. Jaak Kilmi

1973-. (aged 53)

film producer screenwriter film director

Jaak Kilmi is an Estonian film director, screenwriter and producer.

10. Peeter Jalakas

1961-. (aged 65)

theatrical director theatre manager director actor

Peeter Jalakas is an Estonian theatre director, producer, playwright and restaurateur.

11. Üllar Kerde

1954-. (aged 72)

basketball coach basketball player

Üllar Kerde is an Estonian basketball coach. Currently he is the coach of BC Dynamo Moscow. He has also been the coach of Estonia national basketball team leading it to the EuroBasket 2001 which Estonia finished 14th.

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12. Aivar Anniste

1980-. (aged 46)

association football player association football coach

Aivar Anniste is an Estonian footballer, who plays for Viimsi JK. He plays the position of central midfielder.

13. Sulev Keedus

1957-. (aged 69)

film director screenwriter

Sulev Keedus is an Estonian film director who studied at the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography in Moscow.

14. Andrei Jämsä

1982-. (aged 44)

rower

Andrei Jämsä is an Estonian rower. Due to a back injury he could not compete in 2007. He is a member of rowing club Pärnu Sõudeklubi (Pärnu Rowing Club) located in Pärnu.

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15. Marika Tuus-Laul

1951-. (aged 75)

journalist politician

Marika Tuus-Laul is an Estonian politician. She has been member of X, XI, XII and XIII Riigikogu.

16. Eda Ahi

1990-. (aged 36)

civil servant poet writer translator

Eda Ahi is an Estonian poet, translator and diplomat.

17. Rene Busch

1971-. (aged 55)

coach tennis player

Rene Busch is a tennis coach and former Estonian tennis player. He achieved his career high ATP ranking in 1995 on No.793.

18. Arnold Koop

1922-1988 (aged 66)

military personnel educator politician

Arnold Koop was a Soviet Estonian pedagog and Communist Party functionary.

19. Andres Maimik

1970-. (aged 56)

film director screenwriter

Andres Maimik is an Estonian film director, producer, screenwriter, cinematographer and actor. His first feature film, the political satire Vali kord won the Estonian Film Critics Award in 2004.

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20. Kätlin Vainola

1978-. (aged 48)

writer

Kätlin Vainola is a contemporary Estonian children’s writer and poet. She sometimes uses the pen name Marie Myrk.

21. Peeter Lorents

1951-. (aged 75)

mathematician politician

Peeter Lorents is an Estonian mathematician and politician. He was a member of VII Riigikogu.

22. Igor Solopov

1961-2019 (aged 58)

table tennis player

Igor Solopov was a Russian-born Estonian table tennis player. Born in Magnitogorsk, Russian SFSR, he represented Estonia in the men's singles event at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Solopov, who participated at seven World Table Tennis Championships, previously won a bronze medal with the Soviet men's team at the 1978 European Table Tennis Championships.

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23. Dina Ellermann

1980-. (aged 46)

coach equestrian dressage rider

Dina Ellermann is an Estonian dressage rider. She competed at the 2014 World Equestrian Games, and at three European Dressage Championships (in 2015, 2017 and 2019). She competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, becoming the first Estonian equestrian to do so, and finished 49th individually.

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24. Andres Luure

1959-. (aged 67)

semiotician writer translator university teacher Wikipedian

Andres Luure is an Estonian philosopher and translator, and a researcher at Tallinn University.

25. Meelis Atonen

1966-. (aged 60)

entrepreneur politician

Meelis Atonen is an Estonian politician and entrepreneur. He has been a member of the IX, X and XI Riigikogu representing the Estonian Reform Party. In 2003–2004, he was Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications.

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26. Helmen Kütt

1961-. (aged 65)

politician

Helmen Kütt is an Estonian Social Democratic Party politician. She was the Minister of Social Protection in Taavi Rõivas´cabinet between 26 March 2014 and 30 March 2015. In the parliament Kütt represents the electoral district of Järva- and Viljandimaa.

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27. Roman Ubakivi

1945-. (aged 81)

association football player association football coach

Roman Ubakivi is an Estonian former football player and coach. He founded the youth team Lõvid (English: Lions) for ethnic Estonian players and coached the Estonia national football team from 1994 to 1995. His former pupils include national team centurions Marko Kristal, Mart Poom and Martin Reim.

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28. Heiki Ernits

1953-. (aged 73)

caricaturist screenwriter film director

Heiki Ernits is an Estonian animator, illustrator, and film director.

29. Raimo Aas

1953-. (aged 73)

caricaturist humorist

Raimo Aas is an Estonian humorist.

30. Kätlin Kaldmaa

1970-. (aged 56)

writer journalist children's writer translator poet

Kätlin Kaldmaa is an Estonian freelance writer, poet, translator and literary critic. Since 2010, Kaldmaa is the president of the Estonian PEN. In 2016 she was elected Secretary of the PEN International.

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31. Kai Aareleid

1972-. (aged 54)

editor writer translator

Kai Aareleid is an Estonian prose writer, poet and translator.

32. Tiit Terik

1979-. (aged 47)

politician

Tiit Terik is an Estonian politician. He is the former deputy mayor of Tallinn. Deputy Mayor coordinates Tallinn City Property Department, Tallinn Municipal Police Department and manages issues within their areas of administration, as well as the Sports Division at Tallinn Culture and Sports Department. A member of the Estonian Centre Party (Estonian: Eesti Keskerakond). He was a Minister of...

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33. Kristjan Port

1960-. (aged 66)

sports scientist sports pedagogue biologist

Kristjan Port is an Estonian sport biologist. 2008–2015, he was the head of Tallinn University's Institute of Health Sciences and Sport Institute. Since 2008, he is a member of Estonian Anti-Doping Foundation.

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34. Meelis Kompus

1980-. (aged 46)

journalist civil servant

Meelis Kompus is an Estonian civil servant and former Estonian TV and radio host, employed by the Estonian Public Broadcasting.

35. Hendrik Allik

1901-1989 (aged 88)

military personnel politician

Hendrik Allik was an Estonian communist politician and a long-term member of the Estonian Communist Party.

36. Jaan Valsiner

1951-. (aged 75)

psychologist

Jaan Valsiner is an Estonian-American professor of developmental and cultural psychology, the recipient of Alexander von Humboldt Prize (1995) for his interdisciplinary work on human development and 2017 Hans-Kilian-Award winner, the Foreign Member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences and the former Niels Bohr Professor of Cultural Psychology (in 2013–2018), currently, a professor at Aalborg University, Denmark.

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37. Kalle Klandorf

1956-. (aged 70)

police officer deputy mayor politician basketball coach

Kalle Klandorf is an Estonian politician, basketball coach and sport figure.

38. Merle Karusoo

1944-. (aged 82)

theatrical director playwright director university teacher

Merle Karusoo is an Estonian stage director and writer. She is also known as a collector of Estonian biographies.

39. Jürgen Rooste

1979-. (aged 47)

university teacher poet writer

Jürgen Rooste is an Estonian poet.

40. Siim Pohlak

1985-. (aged 41)

politician

Siim Pohlak is an Estonian businessman and politician. He has been member of XIV Riigikogu.

41. Rainer Vakra

1981-. (aged 45)

politician

Rainer Vakra is an Estonian politician. He has been a member of XII and XIII Riigikogu.

42. Svetlana Chirkova-Lozovaya

1945-. (aged 81)

fencer coach

Svetlana Tširkova is a former Soviet fencer, two-time Olympic champion in foil team competitions and fencing coach in Estonia.

43. Pärtel-Peeter Pere

1985-. (aged 41)

businessperson politician

Pärtel-Peeter Pere is an Estonian entrepreneur, urban strategist, and politician, representing the Estonian Reform Party (Estonian: Eesti Reformierakond). Following the 2023 Estonian parliamentary election, he was elected to the Riigikogu.

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44. Aleksei Budõlin

1976-. (aged 50)

judoka

Aleksei Budõlin is an Estonian former judoka and current coach. At the 2000 Summer Olympics he won a bronze medal in the men's Half Middleweight (‍–‍81 kg) category, together with Nuno Delgado of Portugal.

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45. Tõnis Mölder

1989-. (aged 37)

politician

Tõnis Mölder is an Estonian independent politician and member of the Riigikogu. Mölder was a member of Estonian Centre Party from 2008 to 2023, before joining conservative Isamaa in 2023, which he left in 2024, after he was declared a suspect in a bribery case.

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46. Erkki Keldo

1990-. (aged 36)

politician

Erkki Keldo is an Estonian politician. He has been member of XIV Riigikogu and XV Riigikogu.

47. Urmas Vadi

1977-. (aged 49)

screenwriter writer journalist

Urmas Vadi is an Estonian writer, scenarist, radio editor and personality, journalist and theatre director.

48. Jaanus Karilaid

1977-. (aged 49)

politician

Jaanus Karilaid is an Estonian politician. He has been member of XIII, XIV Riigikogu and XV Riigikogu.

49. Enn Eesmaa

1946-. (aged 80)

journalist politician

Enn Eesmaa is an Estonian politician and former journalist. He is a member of XIV Riigikogu. Since 2003 he has belonged to the Estonian Centre Party.

50. Krista Aru

1958-2025 (aged 67)

director literary scholar museologist politician

Krista Aru was an Estonian historian of journalism, museologist, and politician. She was a member of XIII Riigikogu.

51. Siret Kotka

1986-. (aged 40)

politician

Siret Kotka is an Estonian politician and a member of Riigikogu. Born in Viljandi, she represents the Lääne-Virumaa constituency as a member of the Estonian Centre Party.

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52. Erki Savisaar

1978-. (aged 48)

entrepreneur politician

Erki Savisaar is an Estonian politician. Born in Vastse-Kuuste, Põlva County, he has been a member of the XIII and XIV Riigikogu.

53. Kaia Iva

1964-2023 (aged 59)

teacher politician

Kaia Iva was an Estonian Pro Patria and Res Publica Union politician. She was Minister of Social Protection of Estonia from 23 November 2016. She served as the mayor of Türi from 2002 until 2005. She served as member of Riigikogu from 2007 to 2015.

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54. Egon Nuter

1955-. (aged 71)

actor

Egon Nuter is an Estonian actor.

55. Mihhail Stalnuhhin

1961-. (aged 65)

politician

Mihhail Stalnuhhin is an Estonian politician, who was member of Riigikogu from 1999 to 2007 and from 2011 to 2023. Stalnuhhin was a member of the Estonian Centre Party from 1996 until his expulsion in 2022 due to inappropriate statements in an address to the Estonian state and government. Stalnuhhin has been active in local politics in the city of...

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56. Kadri Hinrikus

1970-. (aged 56)

writer journalist television presenter actor

Kadri Hinrikus is an Estonian children's writer and journalist.

57. Jaak Urmet

1979-. (aged 47)

children's writer poet writer

Jaak Urmet is an Estonian writer.

58. Jaak Mae

1972-. (aged 54)

cross-country skier

Jaak Mae is an Estonian cross-country skier who has competed since 1994. He won a bronze in the 15 km event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

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59. Maiken Pius

1985-. (aged 41)

stage actor actor

Maiken Pius is an Estonian actress.

60. Jelena Glebova

1989-. (aged 37)

figure skater

Elena Glebova is an Estonian former competitive figure skater. She won five senior international medals (three gold, two silver) and seven Estonian national titles. She finished as high as seventh at the European Championships (2014) and 13th at the World Championships (2012).

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61. Riina Solman

1972-. (aged 54)

politician

Riina Solman is an Estonian politician. She served as Minister of Population Affairs in the second cabinet of Jüri Ratas from 29 April 2019 to 26 January 2021. The office of Minister of Population Affairs was removed in the cabinet of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.

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62. Carmen Mikiver

1964-. (aged 62)

stage actor actor

Carmen Mikiver is an Estonian actress.

63. Signe Riisalo

1968-. (aged 58)

politician

Signe Riisalo is an Estonian politician. As of 26 January 2021, she serves as Minister of Social Protection in the cabinet of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. She is affiliated with the Reform Party.

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64. Rainer Sarnet

1969-. (aged 57)

film director director writer caricaturist screenwriter

Rainer Sarnet is an Estonian film director and screenwriter whose visually stylised features draw on folklore, genre cinema and literary classics. He gained international attention with the black-and-white folk-horror film November (2017) and consolidated his reputation at the 76th Locarno Film Festival with the kung-fu comedy The Invisible Fight (2023).

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65. Madis Kallas

1981-. (aged 45)

athletics competitor sportsperson politician

Madis Kallas is an Estonian decathlete and politician, who currently serves as the Minister of the Environment of Estonia. He was the mayor of Saaremaa Municipality from 2017 to 2020 and again from 2021 to 2022.

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66. Vladimir Voskoboinikov

1983-. (aged 43)

association football player association football coach

Vladimir Voskoboinikov is a retired Estonian professional footballer who played as a centre forward.

67. Tanel Toom

1982-. (aged 44)

caricaturist screenwriter film director

Tanel Toom is an Estonian director and screenwriter.

68. Marika Vaarik

1962-. (aged 64)

actor performing artist

Marika Vaarik is an Estonian actress. She has worked in films, television and theatre

69. Jaak Aab

1960-. (aged 66)

politician

Jaak Aab is an Estonian politician who has served as Minister of Education and Research and three times as the Minister of Public Administration from 2017 to 2018, from 2019 to 2020 and from 2011 to 2022 and as the Minister of Social Affairs from 2005 to 2007. From 1994 until 5 January 2024, he was a member of the...

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70. Marko Reikop

1969-. (aged 57)

journalist television presenter

Marko Reikop is an Estonian TV host.

71. Heidy Purga

1975-. (aged 51)

television presenter minister of culture politician

Heidy Purga is an Estonian radio and television presenter, television director, journalist and politician. She has been a member of the XIII Riigikogu and XIV Riigikogu.

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72. Jaan Rannap

1931-2023 (aged 92)

writer children's writer journalist athletics competitor

Jaan Rannap was an Estonian children's writer and track-and-field athlete.

73. Anu Välba

1974-. (aged 52)

journalist

Anu Välba is an Estonian TV and radio host.

74. Toomas Tõniste

1967-. (aged 59)

sailor businessperson politician

Toomas Tõniste is an Estonian sailor and politician, and the former Minister of Finance.

75. Maarja Kangro

1973-. (aged 53)

librettist prose writer writer translator poet

Maarja Kangro is an Estonian poet, short story writer, novelist, essayist, nonfiction writer and librettist.

76. Keit Pentus-Rosimannus

1976-. (aged 50)

politician

Keit Pentus-Rosimannus is an Estonian politician who served as Minister of Finance in the government of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas between 26 January 2021 and 19 October 2022. She is also the vice-chairwoman of the biggest parliament party Reform Party and former chairwoman of its parliamentary faction.

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77. Toomas Leius

1941-2025 (aged 84)

tennis coach tennis player

Toomas Leius was an Estonian tennis player who competed for the Soviet Union.

78. Sven Lõhmus

1972-. (aged 54)

composer songwriter singer record producer

Sven Lõhmus is an Estonian pop-composer, lyricist, and producer at Moonwalk Studios, a music company featuring Estonian artists.

79. Lauri Läänemets

1983-. (aged 43)

politician

Lauri Läänemets is an Estonian politician who served as Minister of Interior Affairs and was a member of XIV Riigikogu.

80. Madis Milling

1970-2022 (aged 52)

film actor actor radio personality politician

Madis Milling was an Estonian actor, comedian, television and radio presenter, volunteer rescue worker, and politician. He was a member of the Estonian Defence League since 1990, in 2011 he was ranked as a lieutenant.

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81. Uno Loop

1930-2021 (aged 91)

music educator boxer music teacher guitarist sportsperson

Uno Loop was an Estonian singer, musician, athlete, actor, and educator. Loop's career as a musician and singer began in the early 1950s. He performed with various ensembles and as a popular soloist beginning in the 1960s. In his youth, he trained as a boxer, and became the 1947–48 light-middleweight two-time Estonian Junior Champion. Later, he trained as a triathlete....

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82. Birgit Sarrap

1988-. (aged 38)

actor singer recording artist

Birgit Sarrap, also known mononymously as Birgit, is an Estonian singer. She rose to prominence in 2007 after winning the first season of Eesti otsib superstaari, the Estonian version of Idol. Her debut self-titled studio album was later released in 2008. Birgit has gone on to release four other studio albums in her career.

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83. Henn Põlluaas

1960-. (aged 66)

politician

Henn Põlluaas is an Estonian politician and the President of the Riigikogu since April 2019 to March 2021. He was also the mayor of Saue from 2012 until 2015 when he was elected to the parliament. He has been the vice-chairman of the Conservative People's Party since 2017. In June 2021, Põlluaas was announced as the Conservative People's Party candidate...

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84. Mart Seim

1990-. (aged 36)

weightlifter

Mart Seim is an Estonian weightlifter competing in the +105 kg category.

85. Erki Nool

1970-. (aged 56)

athletics competitor politician sportsperson real estate developer track and field coach

Erki Nool is an Estonian retired decathlete and former politician.

86. Taavi Veskimägi

1974-. (aged 52)

politician business executive

Taavi Veskimägi is a former Estonian state official and politician and the managing director of the Estonian electric power transmission system operator Elering.

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87. Henri Anier

1990-. (aged 36)

association football player

Henri Anier is an Estonian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Paide Linnameeskond and the Estonia national team.

88. Markus Villig

1993-. (aged 33)

businessperson entrepreneur association football player

Markus Villig is an Estonian billionaire entrepreneur and founder and CEO of global shared mobility company Bolt Technology OÜ. As of 2019, he is Europe's youngest founder of a billion dollar company (unicorn). Following Bolt's fundraise in late 2021 which saw the company reach an $8.4 billion valuation, Markus became Europe's youngest self-made billionaire aged 27.

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89. Niina Petrõkina

2004-. (aged 22)

figure skater

Niina Petrõkina is an Estonian figure skater. She is the 2025 and 2026 European champion, 2023 Skate America bronze medalist, a five-time ISU Challenger Series medalist, and a four-time Estonian national champion (2022–23, 2025–26).

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90. Aarne Üksküla

1937-2017 (aged 80)

university teacher stage actor drama teacher actor film actor

Aarne Üksküla was an Estonian film and stage actor and theatre instructor.

91. Ants Antson

1938-2015 (aged 77)

speed skater sportsperson

Ants Antson was an Estonian speed skater who competed for the Soviet Union.

92. Maarja Vaino

1976-. (aged 50)

literary scholar

Maarja Vaino is an Estonian literary scholar. Since 2017, she has been the director of the Tallinn Literature Center.

93. Marju Länik

1957-. (aged 69)

singer

Marju Länik is an Estonian singer.

94. Mihhail Kõlvart

1977-. (aged 49)

coach politician sportsperson mayor public figure

Mihhail Kõlvart is an Estonian politician currently serving as the leader of the Centre Party since 2023. He served as the mayor of Tallinn, Estonia from April 2019, after the resignation of Taavi Aas, until the passing of a non-confidence motion on 26 March 2024.

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95. Kristen Michal

1975-. (aged 51)

politician

Kristen Michal is the prime minister of Estonia, having taken office on 23 July 2024. He previously served as minister of justice from 2011 to 2012, minister of economic affairs and infrastructure from 2015 to 2016, and minister of climate from 2023 to 2024.

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96. Heiki Vilep

1960-. (aged 66)

children's writer poet writer

Heiki Vilep is an Estonian poet, children's writer and writer.

97. Evelin Samuel

1975-. (aged 51)

actor singer writer

Evelin Samuel is an Estonian singer, songwriter, musical theater performer, author of children's books and participant in the Eurovision Song Contest.

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98. Tõnu Tõniste

1967-. (aged 59)

sailor sportsperson skipper

Tõnu Tõniste is an Estonian Olympic sailor. He competed in four consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1988, winning a silver and a bronze medal in the men's 470 class, for the Soviet Union (silver, 1988) and for Estonia (bronze, 1992). He did so with his twin brother Toomas Tõniste. Now he is sailing in team Lenny in the Melges 24...

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99. Lauri Nebel

1948-. (aged 78)

singer television actor musician actor film actor

Lauri Nebel is an Estonian actor, singer and magician.

100. Jaan Tätte

1964-. (aged 62)

actor television actor songwriter writer film actor

Jaan Tätte is an Estonian playwright, poet, actor, and singer.