Signe Relander

Signe Relander (née Österman; 19 August 1886 – 31 May 1962) was the wife of Finland's second president, Lauri Kristian Relander, serving as the First Lady of Finland from 1925 until 1931.[1]

Signe Relander
Photograph of Signe Relander in Kultaranta, taken in 1928
Signe Relander in Kultaranta, in 1928
Born
Signe Maria Österman

(1886-08-19)19 August 1886
Helsinki, Grand Duchy of Finland
Died31 May 1962(1962-05-31) (aged 75)
Helsinki, Finland
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1906; died 1942)​

The couple met while she was still at secondary school and he at university, and married in 1906; they lived in Tikkurila (then part of the Rural District of Helsinki, now Vantaa), and had two children.[2]

She considered her role as the First Lady to be purely ceremonial, and avoided commenting on or otherwise getting involved in politics.[1] She was nevertheless known for her language skills and elegant appearance, and is thought to have been a positive influence on her husband's political career, both before and after his election as president.[1][2] Her being natively Swedish-speaking may also have indirectly affected the language policies of her husband's party, the Agrarian League (now the Centre Party).[3]

After her husband's death at the relatively young age of 58, Signe Relander suffered financial hardship, until a modest pension was granted to her.[2]

Eponymous rose cultivar Signe Relander

References
  1. "Relander, Signe". Kansallisbiografia.fi (in Finnish). National Biography of Finland. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  2. "Relander, Signe". Uppslagsverket.fi (in Swedish). Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  3. "Relander, Signe". Itsenaisyys100.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 9 October 2022.
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