Oona Gray Seppala Biography: Sarah Rafferty’s Daughter Growing Up in the Spotlight

.

Early Life and Family Roots

Oona Gray Seppala was born in the U.S. in 2007, the first child of Sarah Rafferty and her husband, Finnish-American stock analyst Santtu Seppälä. Her early years were shaped by three important factors: the nurturing environment of a tight-knit family, exposure to cultural diversity through her father’s Finnish heritage, and the backdrop of her mother’s acting career.

Growing up, Oona had the privilege of a stable household, where her parents prioritized normalcy over Hollywood glamour. Unlike many celebrity children who are frequently photographed, Oona’s life has been deliberately shielded from excessive media exposure. This decision reflects Rafferty’s approach to parenting: protecting her daughter’s privacy while still allowing her to experience the richness of a world influenced by art and storytelling.

Sarah Rafferty’s Influence as a Mother

To understand Oona’s upbringing, one must look at Sarah Rafferty’s journey as both an actress and a mother. Rafferty is known not only for her role in Suits but also for her strong commitment to family. Three aspects stand out in her parenting style:

First, she emphasizes education and curiosity. Oona has grown up in an environment that fosters critical thinking and creativity, with literature and the arts playing a major role in everyday life. Second, Rafferty models resilience and hard work. By balancing a demanding acting career with motherhood, she demonstrates the value of perseverance. Third, Rafferty nurtures empathy and kindness, encouraging her children to understand the importance of compassion in a fast-paced, competitive world.

Oona’s Relationship with Her Father, Santtu Seppälä

While Sarah Rafferty’s public persona often draws attention, Oona’s father, Santtu Seppälä, contributes a quieter yet equally profound influence. A successful financial professional with roots in Finland, Seppälä brings stability and discipline to the family dynamic.

Oona benefits from this dual parental influence: her mother offers creativity and expressive freedom, while her father provides structure and an appreciation for analytical thinking. This blend allows her to approach life with both imagination and grounded reasoning. The cross-cultural background from her father also adds depth to her identity, giving her a sense of belonging to more than one cultural tradition.

Growing Up with a Famous Mother

Being the child of a celebrity is both a privilege and a challenge. For Oona, three realities define her experience. First, she has unique opportunities, such as traveling for her mother’s work or meeting diverse people within the entertainment industry. Second, she faces the challenge of privacy. While Sarah Rafferty carefully shields her daughters from the spotlight, media interest still occasionally surfaces. Third, Oona lives with the awareness of expectations—fans are naturally curious about whether she will follow in her mother’s footsteps or carve out her own path.

This balancing act reflects a broader narrative of how children of actors navigate public fascination while trying to establish their individuality. Oona, so far, has been given the space to grow at her own pace, which speaks volumes about the intentionality behind Rafferty’s parenting.

Education and Personal Interests

While details about Oona’s schooling remain private, it is clear that education plays a central role in her upbringing. Rafferty has spoken in interviews about how important it is for her children to value learning. Oona’s interests appear to gravitate toward artistic and intellectual pursuits, influenced by both her mother’s artistic background and her father’s analytical career.

She is also exposed to literature, theater, and travel—each serving as a formative experience. Travel, in particular, broadens her worldview. Having visited cultural hubs thanks to her mother’s career, Oona has the opportunity to appreciate diversity and global perspectives, making her education more than just academics but a lived experience of the world.

Relationship with Sister Iris Friday Seppälä

Oona is the eldest of two children, with her younger sister, Iris Friday Seppälä, born in 2012. The sisterly bond is central to Oona’s life. Three dynamics stand out in their relationship: mutual support, shared exploration, and learning from differences.

As the older sibling, Oona often serves as a guide and role model for Iris. Their shared experiences—whether traveling with their parents or simply growing up in a bilingual, bicultural household—strengthen their connection. At the same time, their differences in personality and interests help each child cultivate individuality, supported by a family that values uniqueness as much as unity.

The Private vs. Public Balance

One of the most compelling aspects of Oona’s story is the balance her family maintains between private life and public attention. Unlike some celebrity parents, Sarah Rafferty has chosen a protective approach, limiting her children’s exposure on social media.

This deliberate privacy ensures that Oona’s growth remains authentic and not defined by online narratives. It also sets an example for other public figures who seek to raise children with grounded values while still navigating fame. For fans, this balance highlights Rafferty’s deep commitment to her children’s well-being above her own public image.

Family Values That Shape Oona

The Rafferty-Seppälä household is built on values that are both timeless and practical. Within their family, three priorities consistently emerge: education as empowerment, empathy as a guiding principle, and resilience as a way to face challenges.

• Education provides Oona with the tools to think critically.

• Empathy shapes how she relates to others, keeping her grounded despite privilege.

• Resilience ensures she understands that setbacks are part of growth, not obstacles to success.

These values create a strong foundation for Oona’s personal development, equipping her to thrive in whichever field she chooses.

Future Outlook for Oona Gray Seppala

As Oona grows older, curiosity surrounds what path she might take. Will she pursue a career in the arts, inspired by her mother? Or will she lean toward business, finance, or academics, influenced by her father? While it is too early to predict, three things seem likely: she will value education, she will remain connected to creativity, and she will continue to benefit from her family’s strong support system.

Whether or not she chooses a public career, Oona already represents the next generation of thoughtful, well-rounded young women shaped by love, opportunity, and intentional parenting.

Sarah Rafferty’s Legacy Through Her Children

Ultimately, Oona Gray Seppala’s biography is not just about a teenager growing up but also about the legacy of her mother, Sarah Rafferty. Rafferty’s career has earned her a place in television history, but her dedication to her daughters reflects a deeper achievement. By prioritizing motherhood alongside professional success, she models for her children—and for fans—the power of balancing ambition with family life.

This legacy, passed down through Oona and Iris, ensures that Rafferty’s influence extends beyond the screen. Her true story is not just about acting but about raising children with integrity and grace in a world that often values visibility over substance.

Conclusion

Oona Gray Seppala may be known as Sarah Rafferty’s daughter, but her story is ultimately her own. Growing up in a family that blends creativity, intellect, and cultural heritage, she is being shaped by experiences that go far beyond Hollywood. Rafferty’s deliberate approach to motherhood ensures that Oona has the space to grow privately while benefiting from the values of resilience, education, and empathy.

As fans continue to admire Sarah Rafferty for her career, it is equally inspiring to see how she is shaping her children’s futures. Oona’s biography is a testament to the quiet strength of a young girl growing up with both privilege and responsibility, guided by a family deeply committed to balance and authenticity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is Oona Gray Seppala?
Oona Gray Seppala is the eldest daughter of actress Sarah Rafferty, best known for her role on Suits. She was born in 2007 and is growing up in a family that values privacy, education, and creativity.

2. How old is Oona Gray Seppala now?
As of 2025, Oona is 17 years old. She was born on October 22, 2007.

3. Who are Oona Gray Seppala’s parents?
Her parents are Sarah Rafferty, an actress, and Aleksanteri Olli-Pekka “Santtu” Seppälä, a financial analyst of Finnish descent.

4. Does Oona Gray Seppala have siblings?
Yes, she has one younger sister named Iris Friday Seppälä, born in 2012.

5. Is Oona Gray Seppala in the entertainment industry?
Currently, Oona is not in the entertainment industry. Her parents have kept her life private, allowing her to focus on education and personal interests.

6. What values are emphasized in Oona’s upbringing?
Her family emphasizes education, empathy, and resilience as key values, ensuring she grows up grounded and well-prepared for life.

7. Will Oona Gray Seppala follow in her mother’s footsteps?
It is too early to know if Oona will pursue acting. She has interests in arts and literature but is equally encouraged to explore her own unique path.