Tove Jansson: The secret love life behind the Moomin tales
3:37 PM EDT, August 9, 2024
Tove Jansson was born on August 9, 1914. Her series about the adventures of the Moomins is known worldwide. The artist endured difficult times. For years, she couldn’t openly talk about whom she loved.
Tove Jansson is one of the most recognizable Finnish writers. Although she achieved tremendous professional success, her personal life wasn’t always a bed of roses. Jansson could only truly love women. Until 1971, homosexuality was illegal in Finland.
Before falling in love with her first love, the daughter of the President of Finland, Tove had relationships with men. However, these relationships brought her disappointment.
She got engaged to a man. Then she was with a woman
Atos Wirtanen was a journalist and parliamentarian. He became the prototype for Snufkin, a notable character from “The Moomins.” Tove Jansson was in a relationship with Atos for several years. They even got engaged, but the relationship didn’t last. Later, the writer met Vivica Bandler, the daughter of the President of Finland.
The women had to hide their relationship and be extremely cautious to avoid punishment for their love. Both maintained that they were in relationships with men at the time—Jansson with the aforementioned journalist and Vivica with her husband. At a certain point, Tove’s love permanently moved to Paris with a man. Their relationship went down in history.
Love of her life
When 41-year-old Tove thought she would remain alone for the rest of her life, she met graphic artist Tuulikki Pietilä. The women were very close, but they still had to hide.
"I’m so unused to being happy that I haven’t really come to terms with what it involves. Suddenly my arms are heaped full of new opportunities, new harmony, new expectations. I feel like a garden that’s finally been watered, so my flowers can bloom," Jansson was said to have written after meeting the love of her life.
Eventually, they moved in together. Despite their deep connection, Jansson, at one point, gave Tuulikki her freedom. The graphic artist moved to Paris, where she got a job.
In 1971, when homosexuality was no longer illegal in Finland, Tove and Tuulikki set off on a journey. Together, they traveled to Japan, the United States, and Mexico.
