Pekka Vennamo, a prominent figure in Finnish politics and former minister, has died at the age of 81 at the Meilahti hospital following an acute illness. His family has confirmed the news and requests privacy during this difficult time. Vennamo's political career began when he was first elected as a member of parliament in 1972, and he later served as the chairman of the Finnish Rural Party (SMP) from 1979 to 1989.

During his time in government in the 1980s, Vennamo was notably the Minister of Transport and Communications, where he contributed to significant developments in Finland's infrastructure. Following his political career, he also played a pivotal role in the Finnish postal and telecommunications sectors, serving as the CEO of both the Post and Telecommunications and later Sonera. His father, Veikko Vennamo, founded the party in 1959, which later adopted the SMP name, leading to a legacy of political involvement that continued with Pekka.

Pekka Vennamo's influence extended beyond his time in office, with the transition of his party into the current populist party, the Finns Party, established in the mid-1990s. He was last featured in an interview with Yle in March 2008, reflecting the continued interest in his contributions to Finnish politics. His passing marks the end of an era for many in Finland, especially those who remember the role he played in shaping the country's political landscape.