Ásthildur Lóa Thórsdóttir, Iceland's minister for children, made headlines this week after announcing her resignation in light of disclosing a relationship she had with a teenager over 30 years ago. The 58-year-old former minister revealed that she began dating the boy when he was just 15 years old and she was a 22-year-old counselor at a religious group he attended. Thórsdóttir gave birth to their child when he was 16 and she was 23.
In her interview, Thórsdóttir acknowledged the gravity of the situation, remarking on how much has changed over the years. "It's been 36 years, a lot of things change in that time and I would definitely have dealt with these issues differently today," she disclosed to Icelandic media.
Iceland's Prime Minister, Kristrún Frostadóttir, commented on the situation, labeling it a "serious matter" while noting her limited knowledge of the details. She emphasized the need for privacy and respect for those involved, stating, "This is a very personal matter, and out of respect for the person concerned, I will not comment on the substance."
The story first broke via Icelandic news agency RUV, which provided further context to the incident, including the background of Thórsdóttir's relationship with the child’s father, Eirík Ásmundsson. Their connection reportedly began at the religious group, Trú og líf (Religion and Life), which Ásmundsson attended due to a challenging home environment.
Reports indicate that the relationship remained mostly hidden, though Ásmundsson was present at the birth of their son and initially involved in his life. However, after Thórsdóttir met her current husband, their relationship changed, leading to complications over access to the child. Documented efforts by Ásmundsson to gain access to his son were denied by Thórsdóttir, and she subsequently requested child support from him for 18 years.
The revelation came when a relative of Ásmundsson attempted to contact Prime Minister Frostadóttir, which led to further inquiry and ultimately Thórsdóttir's resignation. While the legal age of consent in Iceland is 15, it remains illegal for teachers and mentors to engage with minors under 18 in sexual relationships, highlighting the complexities of the case.
Despite resigning from her ministerial position, Thórsdóttir has announced her intention to remain in parliament, indicating the ongoing dialogue around personal responsibility, social standards, and legal boundaries in Icelandic society.
