Ingrid Rüütel was born in Tallinn as a daughter of communist politician Neeme Ruus and his wife actress Linda Karin Ruus (née Aruküll). Her father was killed by Nazi German occupation authorities in 1942.
In 1958, she married Arnold Rüütel. They have two daughters and six grandchildren.
Honours
Estonia: Order of the Estonian Red Cross, Class III (1997)