Gunnel graduated University of Tartu specializing in the Estonian language as a foreign language. She also studied theatre science as a minor as and she still loves to go to the theatre. She is also interested in medicine and environmental issues and writes articles for a nature magazine. A major part of her time is spent with her two preschool-aged children. Gunnel likes to have her own quality time – going to the cinema, drinking coffee, reading and listening to pop-jazz.