Santtu Seppälä

Santtu Seppälä: The Private Powerhouse Behind the Spotlight

When people hear the name Santtu Seppälä, the first association is often his marriage to actress Sarah Rafferty, famously known for playing Donna Paulsen on Suits. But reducing Santtu Seppälä to “a celebrity husband” misses the bigger picture entirely.

Santtu Seppälä is a seasoned financial executive, an investor with decades of experience, a Yale and Wharton graduate, a former member of the Finnish Defence Forces, and a man who has intentionally built a successful career far away from Hollywood’s glare. While his wife thrives in the public eye, Santtu has carved out a life defined by strategy, discipline, and long-term thinking.

Quick Bio Table: Santtu Seppälä

FieldDetails
Full NameAleksanteri Olli-Pekka Seppälä
Known AsSanttu Seppälä
Date of BirthNot publicly disclosed
AgeEstimated mid-to-late 40s (as of 2026)
BirthplaceUnited States
NationalityFinnish-American
CitizenshipDual citizenship (Finland and USA)
EthnicityFinnish
ReligionChristianity (family background)
EducationYale University; MBA from Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
ProfessionBusinessman, Financial Executive, Investor
Current RoleVice President of Strategy & Business Development, Angeleno Group
Previous CompaniesLazard Asset Management, Salomon Brothers
FoundedKiitos Capital Management
Military ServiceCorporal, Finnish Defence Forces
Marital StatusMarried
SpouseSarah Rafferty (Actress)
Marriage DateJune 23, 2001
ChildrenTwo daughters
Daughter 1Oona Gray Seppälä (born 2007)
Daughter 2Iris Friday Seppälä (born 2012)
HeightNot publicly disclosed
Net WorthNot publicly disclosed (estimated high seven figures combined household)
ResidenceLos Angeles, California
Public AppearancesRare; attended Royal Wedding in 2018


Also Read: Jenna Vulcano: A Life Away from the Public Spotlight

Early Life and Finnish Roots

Santtu Seppälä was born in the United States to Finnish parents, a detail that shaped much of his identity growing up. Though American by birth, his household maintained strong cultural and emotional ties to Finland. That dual influence — Nordic discipline mixed with American opportunity — becomes a recurring theme throughout his life.

His Finnish heritage isn’t just symbolic. At an earlier stage of his life, Santtu served as a corporal in the Finnish Defence Forces, a commitment that speaks volumes about his values. Military service in Finland is rooted in responsibility, resilience, and respect for structure — traits that later translated seamlessly into his career in finance and investment management.

Unlike many public figures connected to Hollywood, Santtu’s early life wasn’t marked by fame, cameras, or celebrity culture. It was defined by education, structure, and preparation.

Academic Excellence: Yale and Wharton

Santtu Seppälä’s academic journey is one of the most impressive aspects of his profile.

He attended Yale University, one of the most prestigious institutions in the world. It was during his time at Yale that Santtu met Sarah Rafferty, who was also a student there. Their relationship began long before either of them entered the public eye, grounded in shared ambition and intellectual curiosity rather than celebrity status.

After Yale, Santtu went on to earn his MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, widely regarded as one of the top business schools globally. Wharton alumni often dominate leadership roles across finance, private equity, venture capital, and corporate strategy — and Santtu’s career path fits that mold perfectly.

His education didn’t just open doors; it equipped him with the analytical framework and strategic mindset that define his professional success today.

Career Journey: From Wall Street to Strategic Leadership

Santtu Seppälä has spent over two decades in investment management, working at some of the most respected financial institutions in the world.

Early Career in Finance

Early in his career, Santtu worked with Salomon Brothers, a legendary Wall Street firm known for producing top-tier financial minds. This experience exposed him to high-pressure environments where decision-making, risk management, and long-term vision are critical.

He later joined Lazard Asset Management, another globally respected firm specializing in investment advisory and asset management. At Lazard, Santtu deepened his expertise in portfolio strategy, capital allocation, and financial analysis.

Founder of Kiitos Capital Management

Demonstrating his entrepreneurial instincts, Santtu eventually founded Kiitos Capital Management. While details about the firm are intentionally kept private, the move itself reflects a desire for independence and strategic control — a common trait among experienced investors who value flexibility and autonomy.

Angeleno Group: Current Role

Today, Santtu Seppälä serves as Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at the Angeleno Group in Los Angeles. The Angeleno Group focuses on sustainable infrastructure, clean energy, and real-asset investments.

In this role, Santtu is responsible for identifying growth opportunities, shaping long-term strategy, and helping guide investment decisions that align financial returns with environmental and social impact.

It’s a role that requires not just financial intelligence, but foresight — and it suits him perfectly.

Personal Life: A Marriage Built Before Fame

Santtu Seppälä and Sarah Rafferty met at Yale, long before Suits turned Sarah into a household name. Their relationship predates fame, red carpets, and industry pressure, which is often cited as a reason their marriage has remained strong for more than two decades.

The couple married on June 23, 2001, at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Greenwich, Connecticut, in a traditional and intimate ceremony.

Unlike many celebrity relationships, theirs has been defined by stability rather than spectacle.

Fatherhood and Family Values

Santtu and Sarah are parents to two daughters:

  • Oona Gray Seppälä, born in 2007
  • Iris Friday Seppälä, born in 2012

Despite Sarah Rafferty’s fame, the couple has worked hard to keep their children out of the public spotlight. They rarely share personal details, photos, or family moments publicly, prioritizing normalcy and privacy.

Santtu is often described as a deeply involved and grounded father — someone who values presence over publicity.

A Life Away from the Spotlight

One of the most striking things about Santtu Seppälä is how intentionally private he remains.

He doesn’t chase interviews.
He doesn’t maintain a public social media presence.
He doesn’t leverage his wife’s fame for visibility.

Yet, he occasionally appears at meaningful public events, most notably the 2018 Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which he attended with Sarah Rafferty due to her close association with Meghan from Suits.

Even in such high-profile moments, Santtu remains understated — composed, reserved, and clearly uninterested in celebrity theatrics.

Net Worth and Financial Standing

Santtu Seppälä’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, and he appears to prefer it that way.

However, based on:

  • Over 20 years in high-level investment management
  • Executive leadership at Angeleno Group
  • His role as a founder of an investment firm
  • Combined household income with Sarah Rafferty

Industry observers estimate his personal net worth to be in the high seven-figure range, with the family’s combined assets likely exceeding that.

What stands out more than numbers is his approach to wealth — strategic, long-term, and quietly managed.

Why Santtu Seppälä Stands Out

In a culture obsessed with visibility, Santtu Seppälä represents something increasingly rare: substance without spectacle.

He is:

  • Highly educated without being flashy
  • Financially successful without self-promotion
  • Married to a famous actress without living in her shadow

His life demonstrates that success doesn’t always need an audience — and that sometimes the most influential people prefer to work behind the scenes.

Final Thoughts

Santtu Seppälä may be best known publicly as Sarah Rafferty’s husband, but that label barely scratches the surface. He is a disciplined investor, a strategic executive, a devoted family man, and a person deeply rooted in values shaped by both Finnish and American cultures.

Frequently Asked Questions About Santtu Seppälä

Who is Santtu Seppälä?

Santtu Seppälä is a Finnish-American businessman and financial executive. He is best known as the husband of actress Sarah Rafferty, who played Donna Paulsen on the TV series Suits. Beyond that, he has built a long and successful career in investment management and business strategy.

What is Santtu Seppälä’s real name?

His full birth name is Aleksanteri Olli-Pekka Seppälä, though he is commonly known as Santtu Seppälä.

What does Santtu Seppälä do for a living?

Santtu Seppälä works in the finance and investment sector. He currently serves as the Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at the Angeleno Group in Los Angeles. He has more than 20 years of experience in investment management.

Where does Santtu Seppälä work now?

He works at the Angeleno Group, a firm focused on sustainable infrastructure, clean energy, and real-asset investments.

What companies has Santtu Seppälä worked for in the past?

Over the years, Santtu Seppälä has worked with well-known financial institutions such as Lazard Asset Management and Salomon Brothers. He has also founded his own firm, Kiitos Capital Management.

Where did Santtu Seppälä study?

He graduated from Yale University and later earned his MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, one of the top business schools in the world.

Is Santtu Seppälä married?

Yes, Santtu Seppälä is married to actress Sarah Rafferty. The couple tied the knot on June 23, 2001.

How did Santtu Seppälä and Sarah Rafferty meet?

They met while they were both students at Yale University, long before Sarah became famous through her acting career.

How many children does Santtu Seppälä have?

Santtu Seppälä has two daughters with Sarah Rafferty:

  • Oona Gray Seppälä, born in 2007
  • Iris Friday Seppälä, born in 2012

What is Santtu Seppälä’s nationality?

He is Finnish-American and holds dual citizenship in Finland and the United States.

Did Santtu Seppälä serve in the military?

Yes, he previously served as a corporal in the Finnish Defence Forces, reflecting his strong ties to his Finnish heritage.

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