Maria Guzenina
Maria Guzenina-Richardson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister of Health and Social Services | |
| In office 22 June 2011 – | |
| Preceded by | Paula Risikko |
| Member of Parliament | |
| Assumed office 2007 | |
| Constituency | Uusimaa |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 January 1969 Helsinki, Finland |
| Political party | Social Democratic Party of Finland |
| Children | Alex, born 1999 |
| Residence | Espoo |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Website | www.mariaguzenina.net |
Maria Guzenina-Richardson (née Stieren, previously Lindell;[1] born 12 January 1969 in Helsinki, Finland) is a Finnish politician who became a household name in Finland after working as a VJ for MTV Europe from 1994 until 1997. Guzenina-Richardson was elected to the Parliament of Finland in 2007 and in 2011. She was appointed Minister of Health and Social Services on 22 June 2011. Guzenina-Richardson is a high school graduate.[2]
After MTV
Guzenina worked as a radio journalist in the now defunct Radio Aino and Yle Q, which were both AOR radio stations targeted at the thirtysomething and fortysomething crowds.[citation needed] On radio, she could be heard co-hosting a programme with a man about the pitfalls of relationships for couples.[citation needed] Guzenina wrote a book together with Seppo Pietikäinen on the subject, entitled Parisuhteen käsikirja ('A manual for relationships') and published in 2005.[citation needed]
Her later career has involved politics within the ranks of the Social Democratic Party of Finland. Her political agenda centers on families, childcare and social services.[citation needed]
She has been elected a member of the Espoo municipal council and Member of Parliament in the spring elections of 2007.[3] She gained 12578 votes, 10th most in the country.[4] In June 2008 Guzenina-Richardson was elected as the second deputy chairman of the SDP. She was re-elected to the parliament in 2011 with 14581 votes and appointed Minister of Health and Social Services (the second minister position in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health) in the government of Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen.
Private life
Marriage to Briton Mark Richardson, the drummer of Skunk Anansie fame, ended in 2001 due to the spouse's alleged infidelity. Custody of their joint child was entrusted to Guzenina, who allows paternal visits.[1]
Guzenina has given several interviews in Finland making comments about her troubled teenage in a dysfunctional family.[citation needed]
Trivia
Her surname Guzenina comes from her maternal, partly Russian side.[citation needed]
Before she became MTV VJ, she hosted an advertising campaign (1994–1995) about study and job prospects in Europe with an educational rather than entertaining emphasis.[citation needed]
In late 2006 Guzenina asked the police to investigate Wikipedia for alleged smears on her character and misrepresentation in case a crime might have been committed against her, but the police declined to proceed with an investigation since they could find no law on the books to fit the vague allegation expressed by her.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b "Maria Guzenina". Retrieved 18 January 2010. Template:Fi icon
- ^ http://www.mariaguzenina.net/mariasta.htm
- ^ "Edustajamatrikkeli". Eduskunta.
- ^ Kaikki ehdokkaat - Ehdokkaiden äänimäärät Yleisradio. 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2011. Template:Fi icon
External links
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