The blue-eyed beauty's Swedish roots are well known worldwide, while her Finnish background has remained somewhat obscure. Here is everything you need to know about Elsa Hosk's Finland connection
Often referred to as one of the most acclaimed Swedish supermodels of today, Elsa Hosk's Finnish background has been somewhat unreported with many in Finland not aware of her roots until recently. Although Elsa was born and raised in Sweden, her roots from its neighbouring country have impacted the supermodel's life. Below, Vogue Scandinavia has charted five things to enlighten you on Elsa's Finnish connection.
She is half Finnish
Elsa’s mum, Marja Hosk’s side of the family, is from Finland - however, Marja moved to Sweden when she was 10 years old. The supermodel’s dad, Pål Hosk, is from Sweden. Elsa has been to Finland to visit her grandparents as a child, and although she hasn’t been to the country since, she has said that she wants to explore her Finnish roots further.
Photo: @hoskelsa
Her baby has a Finnish name
In February 2021, Elsa gave birth to a baby girl and revealed on Instagram that her daughter would be given a name honouring her Finnish roots. Named Tuulikki Joan Daly, Elsa’s daughter’s first name is derived from Finnish mythology, where Tuulikki is the name of a forest goddess. The very popular and traditional name is also Elsa’s mum’s middle name. The supermodel often calls her daughter ‘Tuuli,’ shortened from Tuulikki, standing for ‘wind’ in English.
Photo: @hoskelsa
She inherited her sense of style and artistry from the Finnish side of her family
Describing her mum as “elegant and chic,” Elsa revealed that Marja and the rest of the Finnish part of her family have significantly influenced her creative side and the sartorial know-how that women around the world yearn to replicate. Elsa’s mum comes from a family of artists, where the supermodel says her creativity stems from.
Photo: Getty
She obtains the famous Finnish ‘sisu’
Although having a daughter living a fairly public life, Elsa’s parents have mostly steered clear from the extensive media attention. However, in a rare broadcast interview Elsa’s mum describes how her daughter has inherited some of the most well-known Finnish traits. One of them is ‘sisu,’ which, according to Marja, Elsa has a great deal of. To have ‘sisu’ is to be brave and resilient alongside obtaining a certain type of stoic determination and grit. Marja also adds that Elsa’s Finnish roots are reflected in her down-to-earth nature.
Photo: @hoskelsa
In spite of her heritage, she can’t speak Finnish
Elsa can’t speak her mum’s native language yet. Perhaps it’s due to Marja’s move to Sweden as a little girl or because the Hosk family has never lived in Finland, either way, Elsa wished she could speak Finnish.
Photo: Getty
