Paavo Juhani Haavikko (January 25, 1931 – October 6, 2008) was a Finnish poet, playwright, essayist and publisher, considered one of the country's most outstanding writers. He published more than 70 works, and his poems have been translated to 12 languages.
Biography
Paavo Haavikko was born and grew up in Helsinki. His father was a bookbinder and later worked in the import business. In 1951, Haavikko graduated from the Kallio Coeducational School, and published his first collection of poems.
thumb|right|250px|Paavo Haavikko with his first wife, the writer Marja-Liisa Vartio (1924–1966).
Haavikko's first wife Marja-Liisa Vartio was also a writer. They had two children. Marja-Liisa Vartio died in 1966, and Haavikko stopped writing for a long time. Haavikko married Ritva Rainio in 1971. They lived separately since 1983.
Business life
From 1967 to 1983, Haavikko was literary director of the Otava publishing company, and from 1989 to his death owner of the Art House publishing company.
He and his family had a company producing peat for fuel. He also owned forest. When he died, his family inherited 3 million euros.
Honours
- Aleksis Kivi Prize, Finnish Literature Society, 1966
- In 1993, he won the Swedish Academy Nordic Prize,