Kadri Kõusaar Biography: Movies, Net Worth, Children, Movies, Books, Instagram, Director, Novelist, Age, Height

Kadri Kõusaar is an Estonian filmmaker, writer, and media personality known for establishing herself as a provocative and uncompromising voice in European cinema.

She gained international recognition in 2007 when her directorial debut Magnus became the first Estonian film selected for the official program of the Cannes Film Festival.

Beginning her career in literature and journalism, she later transitioned into film, where her work has consistently represented Estonia on the global festival circuit.

Alongside filmmaking, she has remained active as a novelist, television host, and civic participant in Tallinn’s political and cultural life.

Profile

• Full Name: Kadri Kõusaar
• Date of Birth: September 8, 1980
• Age: 45 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of Birth: Pärnu, Estonia
• State of Origin: Pärnu County
• Nationality: Estonian
• Religion: Christianity (predominantly Lutheran in Estonia)
• Ethnicity: Estonian
• Profession: Film director, novelist, journalist, television presenter
• Eye Color: Blue
• Hair Color: Blonde
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship Status: N/A
• Net Worth: $1.5 million

Early Life and Education

Kadri Kõusaar was born on September 8, 1980, in the coastal city of Pärnu, where she spent her early years in an environment that encouraged creativity and cultural awareness.

While details about her immediate family remain private, her upbringing supported a strong interest in language, literature, and the arts.

Kadri Kõusaar completed her secondary education at the Tallinn English College before enrolling at the University of Tartu.

She majored in Spanish Language and Literature and graduated in 2003.

During her studies, she also attended the University of Bologna in Italy, an experience that broadened her international and cultural perspective and later influenced her work in both literature and cinema.

Personal Life

Kadri Kõusaar maintains a selective level of privacy regarding her personal life despite sustained public interest.

She is the mother of two sons, though their identities and details about their father have been intentionally kept out of the public eye.

Kadri Kõusaar currently resides in Tallinn, where she balances her responsibilities as a parent with her creative work and active involvement in social and political circles.

Career

Kadri Kõusaar began her professional career as a journalist and novelist, contributing to the cultural supplement of the Estonian newspaper Eesti Ekspress.

She quickly became known for her sharp commentary and bold literary voice, particularly after the release of her debut novel EGO, which sparked intense debate in Estonia.

Kadri Kõusaar made her transition into film with Magnus in 2007, a psychologically intense drama that brought her international acclaim and marked Estonia’s debut in Cannes’ official selection.

She followed this success with The Arbiter in 2013, notable as the first English-language feature directed by an Estonian filmmaker.

In 2016, Kadri Kõusaar directed Mother, a critically praised drama that was selected as Estonia’s official submission for the Academy Awards’ foreign-language category.

She later released Deserted in 2021, a psychological drama set in the Middle East.

In addition to filmmaking, she has hosted television programs such as Mandolino and has been politically active as a member of the Social Democratic Party, serving on the Tallinn City Council.

Awards

• Best Estonian Film – Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (2016)
• Don Quixote Award (Special Mention) – Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (2013)
• Grand Prix – Kustendorf Film and Music Festival (2017)
• Nominee, Un Certain Regard Award – Cannes Film Festival (2007)
• Nominee, European Discovery of the Year – European Film Awards (2007)
• Nominee, Best Director – Warsaw International Film Festival (2013)

Net Worth

Kadri Kõusaar has an estimated net worth of approximately $1.5 million.

Her income is derived from film directing, screenwriting, literary royalties, television hosting, journalism, and international distribution deals.

Cultural grants and festival-backed projects have also contributed to her financial standing.

Controversy

Kadri Kõusaar‘s most significant controversy emerged following the release of Magnus.

After its international success, an Estonian court banned the film domestically following a legal complaint alleging violations of personal privacy by a family connected to the story’s inspiration.

The ban led to a prolonged legal battle that prevented the film’s screening in Estonia for years and became a landmark case in national debates on artistic freedom versus privacy rights.

Kadri Kõusaar has also faced criticism for the provocative themes in her early novel EGO, which sparked cultural debate due to its transgressive subject matter.

Both controversies have since become defining moments in discussions of modern Estonian art and media.

Social Media

• Instagram: @kadrikousaar

Filmography

• Magnus (2007)
• The Arbiter (2013)
• Mother (2016)
• Deserted (2021)

Books

• EGO (2001)
• Vaba tõus (2004)
• Alfa (2011)