Merle Palmiste

Merle Palmiste, born on November 1, 1970, in Tallinn, Estonia, is a distinguished actress known for her contributions to stage, film, and television. Growing up in the Õismäe district, she was nurtured in a household with an engineer father and an accountant mother. After completing her education at Tallinn's 9th Secondary School in 1988, she pursued her passion for the performing arts at the Tallinn Conservatory, which later became the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. She graduated in 1992, showcasing her talent in productions such as Helena in Shakespeare's *A Midsummer Night's Dream* and Nina from Chekhov's *The Seagull*.

Palmiste made her cinematic debut in the 1994 historical drama *Jüri Rumm*, where she portrayed Evelin. Her subsequent roles included Grey One in the romantic drama *Karu süda* (2001) and Rutt in the melodrama *Kuldrannake* (2006). Additionally, she lent her voice to Benita the Cow in the animated film *Lotte and the Moonstone Secret* (2001) and took on notable roles in films like *Väikelinna detektiivid ja valge daami saladus* (2013) and *Kõhedad muinaslood* (2019).

Her versatility extends beyond Estonian cinema, with appearances in international projects, including the Russian film *Yantarnye krylya* (2003) and the German short *Willkommen in Tallinn* (2004). Palmiste's personal life includes a past relationship with Alex Lepajõe, and they share a daughter, fashion model Elisabeth Berthel, born in 1996. Today, she continues to reside in Tallinn, contributing to the rich tapestry of Estonian culture.