Elli Leino was the second of seven children born to real estate agent and businessman Johan Gustaf Leino (née Grönroos) and Aksa Johanna Grönlund, who met each other in Turku. In the beginning of June 1899, their
banns were read and they married on Midsummer Day the same year. Elli had four sisters:
Ragnhild, Ester,
Rakel, and
Regina as well as two brothers, Eino and Reino, the first of which was named after
Eino Leino. Three of Elli's sisters – Ragnhild, Rakel, and Regina were also actresses. Eino attended the Finnish Academy of Dramatic Arts, but did not devote himself to acting in the end. Their father vehemently opposed his children's theatrical dreams, but inspired by her sister Ragnhild, Elli also began performing on amateur stages in the 1920s and gained fame, especially in comedic roles. The Leino family moved from Turku to Helsinki in 1911. They were joined by Aksa Grönlund's unmarried sister Aina, who became like a second mother to the children. The family lived in downtown Helsinki. Elli and her siblings spent their summers in the countryside of Uusimaa. In 1918, during the
Finnish Civil War, Johan Leino bought a summer residence for his family in
Laukkoski,
Pornainen. He found the place while escaping from pursuers by sledge across Lake Kotojärvi. Once renovated, the Rönnvik Villa had 24 rooms. In 1921, this turned into a
pension. In addition to their pension in Pornainen, they also ran the Linnanheimo boarding house on Louhikatu in
Terijoki, which was a popular holiday destination, especially for actors from Vyborg. == Career ==