Icelandic Minister Resigns Over Past Relationship with a Teenager

In a surprising turn of events, Iceland's children's minister, Ásthildur Lóa Thórsdóttir, resigned after disclosing she had a child with a teenager when she was 23.

 

Iceland's Minister for Children, Ásthildur Lóa Thórsdóttir, has officially resigned after admitting to having had a relationship with a 15-year-old boy more than three decades ago. The 58-year-old minister disclosed the details during an interview, acknowledging that the relationship began when she was 22 and serving as a counselor at a religious organization called Trú og líf ("Religion and Life"). She gave birth to their child when he was 16, and she was 23. Thórsdóttir expressed regret over her past decisions, stating, "It's been 36 years, a lot of things change in that time, and I would definitely have dealt with these issues differently today."

Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir referred to the situation as "a serious matter," clarifying that she had limited information prior to the resignation. She had confirmed the details just hours before summoning Thórsdóttir to her office for discussions leading to the minister’s departure.

The story was initially reported by the Icelandic news agency RUV late Thursday. In her interview, Thórsdóttir stated that she had met the father of her child, Eirík Ásmundsson, during her work with the religious group, as he was navigating a challenging home environment. Although their relationship remained hidden, Ásmundsson was present at the birth and involved in the child’s early life.

However, they faced complications when Thórsdóttir subsequently married her current husband, leading to a change in Ásmundsson’s involvement. Documents reportedly show that Ásmundsson sought access to their son through the justice ministry yet was denied. Although Thórsdóttir has stepped down from her ministerial role, she has indicated that she plans to continue serving in parliament.

Under Icelandic law, the age of consent is 15, but it is illegal for teachers or mentors to engage in sexual activity with someone under 18, particularly if they are financially dependent. The offense can result in a maximum prison sentence of three years. As the situation continues to unfold, the public and political ramifications of Thórsdóttir's resignation remain to be seen.