Halla Tómasdóttir (born 11 October 1968) is an Icelandic politician who has been the president of Iceland since 2024. She is the second Icelandic female president after Vigdís Finnbogadóttir. Previously, she was a businesswoman and public speaker. Prior to becoming president, she was the chief executive of The B Team, a global non-profit group.
Halla Tómasdóttir | |
|---|---|
| 7th President of Iceland | |
| Assumed office 1 August 2024 | |
| Prime Minister | Bjarni Benediktsson |
| Preceded by | Guðni Th. Jóhannesson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 October 1968 Reykjavík, Iceland |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Björn Skúlason |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Auburn University at Montgomery |
| Awards | Cartier Women's Initiative Awards[1] |
Early career
editHalla is a former member of the founding team of Reykjavík University in 1998. Halla also co-founded Auður Capital, an investment firm.[2] She served as the chief executive of The B Team, a global non-profit group of business and civil society leaders working to promote business practices focused on humanity and the climate.[3]
2016 presidential campaign
editHalla had previously announced her candidature for the presidency of Iceland on 17 March 2016.[4] She received 27.9% of the vote, the second highest share after that of the winner, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, who received 39.1%.[5]
Presidency
editOn 1 June 2024, Halla won the Icelandic presidential election, defeating former prime minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir by a roughly 10-point margin.[6] Her campaign focused on issues such as the effects of social media on the mental health of youth, tourism development, and the role of artificial intelligence.
Halla took office on 1 August 2024.[7]
Personal life
editHalla was born in Reykjavík. She is married to Björn Skúlason.[8] They have two children together.
National honours
edit
Iceland:
Grand Master and Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Falcon (1 August 2024)
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Halla Tomasdottir: A feminine response to Iceland's financial crash, TED (conference), 10:17, 2010[9] | |
| It's time for women to run for office, TED (conference), 19:19, 2016[9] |
References
edit- ^ "Audur Capital provides financial services based on women-friendly values". Cartier Women's Initiative. 2009. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "Halla ætlar að bjóða sig fram". Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). 17 March 2016. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
- ^ "Businesswoman Tomasdottir becomes Iceland's next president". France 24. 2 June 2024. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "New presidential candidate emerges in Iceland". Morgunblaðið. Iceland. 28 June 2016. Archived from the original on 21 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
- ^ "Guðni Jóhannesson wins Iceland's presidential election". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 26 June 2016. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
- ^ "Election week: Halla Tómasdóttir will be the president of Iceland". RÚV. Iceland. 2 June 2024. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "Businesswoman Halla Tomasdottir set to become Iceland's next president". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 2 June 2024. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "Halla átti kærasta þegar þau Björn hittust fyrst" (in Icelandic). mbl.is. 22 March 2024. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Halla Tómasdóttir, Change catalyst". TED (conference). 2016. Archived from the original on 23 February 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
External links
edit- Lindskog, Chad (16 August 2018). "Memorial QB, an exchange student from Iceland, lives with coach's family". Evansville Courier & Press. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
- Halla Tómasdóttir at TED
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