 "The scandal over Iceland minister who quit after confessing to having a child with a teen")
Iceland’s political landscape has been rocked by a scandal that led to the resignation of Asthildur Loa Thorsdottir, the Minister of Children’s Affairs. The controversy stems from revelations about a past relationship she had with a 15-year-old boy when she was 22, which resulted in the birth of a child.
As the revelations gained traction, pressure grew on Thorsdottir to step down. On Thursday, following an interview with Iceland’s National Broadcasting Corporation, RUV, she announced her resignation.
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadottir addressed the media, calling the situation “a serious matter”. Investigations are expected to soon follow.
Here’s what we know about the controversy.
The scandal
More than three decades ago, Asthildur Loa Thorsdottir was in a relationship with a 15-year-old boy, which led to the birth of their son a year later.
The two first met at the religious congregation Tru og Lif (Faith and Life) in Kópavogur, where Thorsdottir was leading youth activities. The boy, Eirikur Asmundsson, had joined the group due to difficulties at home.
Eirikur said their relationship began shortly after he joined the congregation, and their son was conceived soon after he turned 16 when Thorsdottir was 23.
While Iceland’s age of consent is 15, the law prohibits sexual relationships with minors under 18 if the adult holds a position of authority over them, such as a teacher, mentor, or employer. Violations of this law can carry a maximum prison sentence of three years.
Though their relationship was a secret at the time, Eirikur was present at the birth of their child and had occasional contact in the first year. However, his visits became inconsistent due to financial struggles, lack of support, and the logistical challenge of living in different municipalities.
He claimed that while Thorsdottirinitially allowed visits, this changed drastically after she met her husband. Seeking help, Eirikur turned to the Ministry of Justice and the church’s family services in an attempt to gain better access to his son. Documents obtained by RUV, the news outlet that broke the story, confirm his efforts and show that Þórsdóttir had placed restrictions on his visitation rights.
According to Eirikur, he was eventually permitted just two hours of visitation per month at Thorsdottir and her husband’s home—equating to just a single day per year. Despite this, he was still required to make child support payments for 18 years.
Thorsdottir resigns
According to RUV, a relative of the child’s father reported the case to the Prime Minister’s Office a week ago, believing the matter would remain confidential. However, Thorsdottir was informed about both the report and the identity of the person who filed it.
The 58-year-old allegedly reached out to the individual directly and later showed up at their home. In the interview, she admitted being upset that the woman had taken the issue to the prime minister.
“I understand… what it looks like,” she said, adding that it is “very difficult to get the right story across in the news today.”
According to Visir newspaper, Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir said she only learned the full details of the case on Thursday night after the explosive interview aired. She immediately summoned the children’s minister to her office, where Thorsdottir resigned.
The prime minister described the situation as “a serious matter” but admitted she knew little more than “the average person.”
“This is a very personal matter [and] out of respect for the person concerned, I will not comment on the substance,” she told the press.
What’s next?
Despite stepping down as Minister of Children’s Affairs, Thorsdottir made it clear that she had no intention of leaving parliament. She insisted that her past should not disqualify her from holding public office, highlighting her extensive career working with children.
“This personal matter from 35 years ago should not overshadow the important work the government is doing. That work is more significant than the responsibilities I have been fulfilling in the Ministry of Education, which I deeply regret leaving unfinished,” she told Icelandic media.
“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 added.
With input from agencies
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