Lenita Airisto 1937 – 2026

Biography

Lenita Airisto (January 1, 1937 – November 9, 2026) was a Finnish businesswoman, television journalist and author who spent more than three decades promoting Finnish industry and culture abroad. Born Hymmi Lenita Aulikki Airisto in Helsinki, she began her public career in 1954 as Maiden of Finland, then built a television journalism career of over 30 years and more than 300 prime-time current-affairs programs. In 1971 she founded her own company, Airisto Oy, and later directed the Revontuli designer collection, staging Finnish fashion and travel shows in Europe, the United States and China. She was married to politician Ingvar S. Melin from 1961 to 1971. Airisto died on November 9, 2026, at the age of 89.