Armi Ratia
Armi Maria Ratia née Airaksinen (13 July 1912 – 3 October 1979) was a Finnish businesswoman, she was the co-founder of the Finnish textile and clothing company Marimekko Ltd. She is among Finland's most famous female entrepreneurs. She was born in Pälkjärvi in Ladoga Karelia.
Also recorded as neekeri
Armi Ratia
Pertti Jenytin · http: hs13.snstatic.fi/webkuva/taysi/960/1425360576879 · Public domain
- Name
- Armi Maria Ratia
- Born
- 13 July 1912
- Birthplace
- Pälkjärvi, Grand Duchy of Finland
- Died
- 3 October 1979
- Place of death
- Helsinki, Finland
- Occupation
- Businesswoman, co-founder of Marimekko
- Spouse
- Viljo Ratia
- Full name
- Armi Maria Airaksinen.
- Nationality
- Finland and Grand Duchy of Finland.
- Education
- Aalto University School of Arts and Design and Architecture.
- Honours
- Knight First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland.
- Languages
- Finnish.
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Documentary summary
Armi Maria Ratia née Airaksinen (13 July 1912 – 3 October 1979) was a Finnish businesswoman, she was the co-founder of the Finnish textile and clothing company Marimekko Ltd. She is among Finland's most famous female entrepreneurs. She was born in Pälkjärvi in Ladoga Karelia.
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Documentary evidence
Documentary basis
Authority files
wikidata · Q4118898 · wikipedia · Armi Ratia
In this article
Biography
Biography
For a detailed biographical article in the context of her Marimekko company, see The National Biography of Finland entry. She is buried in the Hietaniemi Cemetery in Helsinki.
Armi Ratia studied at Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture. The recorded working language is Finnish. Places of work recorded in the authority are Helsinki. Positions recorded include chief executive officer. Distinctions recorded are Knight First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland.
Photograph of the Finnish bank manager Jaakko Lassila (1928–2003), Marimekko’s manager Armi Ratia (1912–1979) and bank manager Klaus Waris (1914–1994).
Holger Eklund
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Armi Maria Ratia • Born — 13 July 1912 • Birthplace — Pälkjärvi, Grand Duchy of Finland • Died — 3 October 1979 • Place of death — Helsinki, Finland • Occupation — Businesswoman, co-founder of Marimekko • Spouse — Viljo Ratia • Children — Ristomatti, Anttimatti and Eriika
Identity
Identity
Armi Ratia is recorded as having received Knight First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland. Recorded at birth as Armi Maria Airaksinen. Identity and origins. The authorities additionally record the heading neekeri. Her recorded language was Finnish. One child is recorded: Ristomatti Ratia.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
Explore 1912–1979
The full dated record · 3 entries
1912
Armi Ratia born at Pälkjärvi.
1977
Armi Ratia (1977) is digitised and catalogued by Open Library.
1979
Armi Ratia died at Helsinki.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Pälkjärvi.
Birth place
Helsinki.
Death place
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q4118898: Armi Ratia
Reputable secondary · Wikidata
- “Armi Ratia”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority file
- VIAF cluster 91443919 for Armi Ratia, aggregating national library name authorities.
General reference · OCLC
Citations
References
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authority file
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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