Mihkel Kärmas Biography: Height, Spouse, Net Worth, Age, Parents, Siblings, Journalist, TV Shows, Awards

Mihkel Kärmas is an Estonian journalist, television presenter, and editor best known as the long-standing face of Estonia’s flagship investigative journalism program Pealtnägija.

Over more than two decades, he has become one of the most trusted and influential figures in Estonian media, recognized for exposing political scandals, social injustices, and systemic failures.

In addition to his television work, he has built a respected career in print journalism and documentary filmmaking, shaping public discourse in Estonia since the late 1990s.

Profile

• Full Name: Lieven-Mihkel Kärmas
• Date of Birth: February 4, 1974
• Age: 52 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of Birth: Tallinn, Estonia
• State of Origin: Harju County
• Nationality: Estonian
• Religion: Christianity (predominantly Lutheran in Estonia)
• Ethnicity: Estonian
• Profession: Journalist, television presenter, editor
• Parents: Enn Kärmas
• Siblings: Maian-Anna Kärmas
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: N/A
• Net Worth: $850,000

Early Life and Education

Mihkel Kärmas (51 years old) was born on February 4, 1974, in Tallinn and grew up in an artistically inclined family.

His father, Enn Kärmas, was a respected poster and photo artist, while his sister, Maian-Anna Kärmas, later became a prominent singer and composer.

This creative environment played a significant role in shaping his cultural awareness and critical thinking from an early age.

Mihkel Kärmas completed his secondary education at Gustav Adolf Grammar School in Tallinn.

He later pursued higher education at Tallinn University of Technology, where he studied marketing and foreign economics.

His academic background contributed to the analytical mindset and structured approach that would later define his investigative journalism career.

Personal Life

Mihkel Kärmas keeps his personal life largely out of the public spotlight despite his prominent media presence.

While his professional work has been highly visible for decades, details regarding his romantic relationships, marriage, or children have not been publicly disclosed.

Mihkel Kärmas resides in Tallinn and remains closely connected to Estonia’s cultural and media circles.

His family, particularly his sister Maian-Anna Kärmas, continues to be an important part of his personal and professional environment.

Career

Mihkel Kärmas began his professional career in the mid-1990s as a reporter for the newspaper Eesti Ekspress, where he developed a reputation for in-depth reporting and investigative rigor.

His transition into television came in 1999, when he co-launched Pealtnägija alongside journalist Vahur Kersna.

Mihkel Kärmas has served as the main presenter and editor of Pealtnägija for more than twenty-five years, making it Estonia’s most influential and longest-running investigative television program.

Under his leadership, the show has exposed corruption, unethical business practices, and political misconduct, earning both widespread public trust and institutional resistance.

Beyond weekly television journalism, Mihkel Kärmas has contributed to documentary films and television dramas.

He worked as a screenwriter on Riigireetur and later participated in biographical and investigative productions, including the mini-series Mati Alaver: valgusest varju, released in 2025.

Awards

• Bonnier Award for Investigative Journalism (2002)
• Valdo Pant Journalism Award (2009)
• Bonnier Award for Investigative Journalism (2011)
• Clear Speaker Award (2014)
• Order of the White Star, IV Class (2020)

Net Worth

Mihkel Kärmas has an estimated net worth of approximately $850,000.

His income has primarily come from decades of work as a senior journalist, editor, and television host at the Estonian national broadcaster, as well as from screenwriting and documentary projects.

Social Media

• N/A

Filmography

• Õhtune Ekspress (1996)
• Kahvel (1998)
• Pealtnägija (1999)
• Teet Härm – maniakk või ohver? (2003)
• The Spy Inside (2008)
• Riigireetur (2009)
• Mati Alaver: valgusest varju (2025)