She is a 1967 graduate of Tartu State University, with a degree in journalism.
From 1972 until 1992, she worked as an editor at Eesti Televisioon before taking a position as an editor-in-chief at Pärnu Raadio from 1992 until 1994.
[2] Afterward, she taught secondary school in Pärnu until 2003, when she became involved in politics.
[1] Tomson is married to film director and cinematographer Mati Põldre.
From 1965 until 1973, she was married to writer and theatre director Mati Unt.