Finland's prime minister Sanna Marin marries her partner of 16 years Markus Raikkonen in an intimate ceremony at her official residence - and thanks him for being 'by her side' in a sweet social media post

  • Finnish prime minister Sanna Marin got married on Saturday in Kesäranta 
  • Close friends and family made up the 40-strong guest list on the special day 
  • Couple, who share a two-year-old daughter, have been together since age of 18 

Finnish prime minister Sanna Marin has married her long-term partner Markus Raikkonen.

The couple, both 34, who share two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Emma Amalia Marin, have been together for 16 years after meeting when they were 18.

Their wedding yesterday was at Kesäranta, Ms Marin's official residence, and attended by 40 guests made up of close friends and family.

Ms Marin shared a sweet photo with her new husband on Instagram, writing in the caption: 'Yesterday we said to each other I will. 

Finnish prime minister Sanna Marin has married her long-term partner Markus Raikkonen in an intimate ceremony

Finnish prime minister Sanna Marin has married her long-term partner Markus Raikkonen in an intimate ceremony

'I am happy and grateful that I get to share my life with the man I love. We have seen and experienced a lot together, shared joys and sorrows, and supported each other at the bottom and in the storm. 

'We have lived together in our youth, grown up and grown older to our beloved daughter. Of all the people, you're right for me. Thank you for being by my side.'

Ms Marin, who leads the country's centre-left government, looked stunning in a floor-length off-white ethereal gown with long sleeves.

She wore her long brunette locks in a half-up, half-down style, with a floating veil pinned to the back of her hair.

The couple married each other in August 2020 at Kesäranta, Ms Marin's official residence (pictured). The ceremony was attended by 40 guests made up of close friends and family

Ms Marin shared a sweet photo with her new husband on Instagram, thanking him for being 'by her side'

Her bouquet consisted of cream peonies and foliage, while her groom - a former Finnish association football player - looked smart in a classic tuxedo.  

The couple looked very much in love as they posed by a lake and in the lush grounds of the Helsinki residence. 

Their permanent home is in the Kaleva district of Tampere, but during the 2020 pandemic they've resided at the Prime Minister's official residence.

Within two hours Ms Marin's Instagram post notched up almost 85,000 likes, with many fellow users sending their good wishes.  

Sanna Marin, pictured with her husband Markus Räikköne
Sanna Marin, pictured with her husband Markus Räikköne, is set to become the world's youngest prime minister

Sanna Marin, pictured with her husband Markus Räikköne. Their permanent home is in the Kaleva district of Tampere, but during the 2020 pandemic they've resided at the Prime Minister's official residence.

Ms Marin, a social democrat who has been a prolific user of social media and a keen advocate of environmental issues, became Finland's prime minister in December.

At the time she was the world's youngest serving head of government - a title she lost a few weeks later with the return to power of Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who turns 34 later this month.

Earlier this year Ms Marin, an MP since 2015, announced plans to give fathers the same amount of paid parental leave as mothers to promote equality and boost birth rates.

Paternity leave for new fathers is set to be extended to nearly seven months, the same as maternity leave. 

Finland's centre-left government, led by 34-year-old prime minister Sanna Marin (pictured), has unveiled plans to give fathers the same amount of parental leave as mothers

Finland's centre-left government, led by 34-year-old prime minister Sanna Marin (pictured), has unveiled plans to give fathers the same amount of parental leave as mothers

According to Finish media, Ms Marin was brought up in a 'rainbow family' by her mother and her female partner.

She lived in Espoo and Pirkkala before moving to Tampere, where she became the first person in her family to go to university.

A politician for the millennial 'Instagram generation', during her rise to success in the political field Ms Marin charted her pregnancy journey on her Instagram page, sharing selfies of her pregnancy bump and even a candid breastfeeding shot.

She's also shared poolside shots from a romantic holiday to Italy in July 2017, during which she and Markus travelled to Portofino, Rome, Sardinia and Veneto, and snaps from Pride events, where she showed her support for same-sex unions.

In 2015 Ms Marin told the Menaiset website that as a child she felt 'invisible' because she was unable to talk openly about her unconventional family.

Prime minister Sanna Marin (second right), 34, poses with the Minister of Education Li Andersson (left), 32, Minister of Finance Katri Kulmuni (second left), 32, and Minister of Interior Maria Ohisalo (right), 34, after Finland's new government was formed in December

Prime minister Sanna Marin (second right), 34, poses with the Minister of Education Li Andersson (left), 32, Minister of Finance Katri Kulmuni (second left), 32, and Minister of Interior Maria Ohisalo (right), 34, after Finland's new government was formed in December 

'The silence was the hardest,' she said. 'Invisibility caused a feeling of incompetence. We were not recognised as a true family or equal with others. But I wasn't much bullied. Even when I was little, I was very candid and stubborn. I wouldn't have taken anything easy.'

She also admitted that she never expected to get into politics, telling the publication: 'When I was in high school, I felt that the people who make politics are quite different and come from different backgrounds than I am. At that time, I didn't think it was possible to get involved myself.'

Ms Marin, who spent her teenage years working in a bakery, added that her mother has always been very supportive and made her believe she could do anything she wanted.  

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