Suomen Neito

Suomen Neito (English: Maiden of Finland) was a traditional Finnish beauty pageant held in the 1950s, 1960s, 1986, and from 1990 to 2007. The pageant began in 1952 when Armi Kuusela was crowned as the first Suomen Neito, which qualified her for the inaugural Miss Universe pageant, where she became its first titleholder. From 1986 to 2006, Suomen Neito winners represented Finland in the Miss World pageant. However, in 2007, the pageant's significance diminished with the introduction of a new selection process, leading to its disbandment.^[1]

In 1962 and 1991, the Suomen Neito pageants were held concurrently with the Miss Finland pageant. Miss Finland (Finnish: Miss Suomi), established in 1931, is the oldest and most prominent beauty pageant in Finland.

Titleholders

Year	Winner	Notes
1952	Armi Kuusela	Subsequently Miss Universe 1952
1953	Teija Sopanen
1954	Lenita Airisto
1955	Sirkku Talja
1962	Aulikki Järvinen	2nd runner-up at Miss Universe 1962
1963	Nadine Gustafsson
1986	Satu-Riitta Alaharja
1990	Nina Björkfelt
1991	Nina Autio
1992	Petra von Hellens
1993	Janina Frostell
1994	Mia Forsell
1995	Terhi Koivisto
1996	Hanna Hirvonen
1997	Minna Lehtinen
1998	Maaret Nousiainen
1999	Maria Laamanen
2000	Salima Peippo
2001	Jenni Hietanen
2002	Hanne Hynynen
2003	Johanna Hynninen
2004	Niina Tikanmäki
2005	Saana Anttila
2006	Jenniina Tuokko
2007	Essi Hellstén

See also

• Miss Finland