Helene Vannari

Vannari was born in the town of Kilingi-Nõmme in Pärnu County. Her father was a forestry teacher and her mother was an archivist. She is one of two siblings, both girls. When Vannari was three-years-old, her family moved to Tartu, where she attended schools, including studying at the Vanemuine drama studio, graduating in 1966. At age seven, her father died and she was raised by her mother. In 1970, she graduated from the Tallinn State Conservatory, Performing Arts Department (now, the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre). During her studies at the Tallinn State Conservatory, she met and befriended classmate Ene Järvis. The two would become lifelong friends.