Icelandic Children's Minister Resigns Over Controversial Past Relationship

Sun Sep 14 2025 06:49:54 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Ásthildur Lóa Thórsdóttir's admission of a past relationship with a teenager leads to her resignation from ministerial role.

In an unexpected revelation, Iceland's Minister for Children, Ásthildur Lóa Thórsdóttir, has stepped down following the disclosure of a relationship she had with a teenage boy over three decades ago. The minister, who is 58 years old, disclosed in an interview that she first entered into a relationship with the boy when she was 22 and he was just 15, as she worked at a religious group he attended. Thórsdóttir later gave birth to their child when she was 23, and he was 16, marking a controversial chapter that has now resurfaced in the public eye.

On the day of her resignation, Thórsdóttir addressed Icelandic media, expressing regret over her past decisions and how she would approach similar circumstances differently today. The situation has garnered significant attention, prompting Iceland's Prime Minister, Kristrún Frostadóttir, to label it "a serious matter". She noted that while she was aware of the situation, she refrained from commenting further out of respect for those involved. Details regarding the relationship were uncovered by Icelandic news outlet RUV, which reported that Thórsdóttir and the child's father, Eirík Ásmundsson, maintained a secret relationship that changed when Thórsdóttir met her current husband. Documents surfaced showing Ásmundsson's attempts to gain access to his son, which Thórsdóttir had denied.

Insisting the relationship was consensual, Thórsdóttir acknowledged the challenges of conveying the complete context to the public, especially as a minister. While the age of consent in Iceland stands at 15, laws prohibit individuals in positions of authority from engaging in sexual relations with those they mentor or supervise if the latter is under 18 years of age. Following her resignation, Thórsdóttir confirmed she would continue her role within parliament.

The unfolding situation reflects ongoing conversations surrounding age, consent, and power dynamics in relationships, emphasizing the lasting implications of personal choices on public service roles.