In 1980, Icelanders elected Vigdís Finnbogadóttir president, making her the world’s first democratically elected woman president. She was the republic’s fourth president. Although the presidency has limited formal powers, it remains Iceland’s highest office and carries significant symbolic importance.
In 1980, Icelanders elected Vigdís Finnbogadóttir president, making her the world’s first democratically elected woman president. She was the republic’s fourth president. Although the presidency has limited formal powers, it remains Iceland’s highest office and carries significant symbolic importance.
In 1980, Icelanders elected Vigdís Finnbogadóttir president, making her the world’s first democratically elected woman president. She was the republic’s fourth president. Although the presidency has limited formal powers, it remains Iceland’s highest office and carries significant symbolic importance.
The timing was no coincidence. Vigdís’s election followed a decade of growing feminist activism, including the 1975 Women’s Day Off. Though not a central figure in the women’s movement herself, she broke many conventions—as a woman, a divorcée, and a single mother. In 1972, she became the first single woman in Iceland to adopt a child. Some critics questioned whether an unmarried woman should serve as head of state. Vigdís later reflected that this may have worked in her favor, since few men of her generation would have agreed to follow their wife to the presidential residence.
The timing was no coincidence. Vigdís’s election followed a decade of growing feminist activism, including the 1975 Women’s Day Off. Though not a central figure in the women’s movement herself, she broke many conventions—as a woman, a divorcée, and a single mother. In 1972, she became the first single woman in Iceland to adopt a child. Some critics questioned whether an unmarried woman should serve as head of state. Vigdís later reflected that this may have worked in her favor, since few men of her generation would have agreed to follow their wife to the presidential residence.
The timing was no coincidence. Vigdís’s election followed a decade of growing feminist activism, including the 1975 Women’s Day Off. Though not a central figure in the women’s movement herself, she broke many conventions—as a woman, a divorcée, and a single mother. In 1972, she became the first single woman in Iceland to adopt a child. Some critics questioned whether an unmarried woman should serve as head of state. Vigdís later reflected that this may have worked in her favor, since few men of her generation would have agreed to follow their wife to the presidential residence.
An unconventional path to the presidency
Born in 1930, Vigdís studied French and theater in France, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland. She worked as a tour guide and French teacher, eventually gaining national recognition through televised French lessons. Before running for president, she served as director of the Reykjavík Theatre Company.
When the sitting president announced he would not seek reelection, a group of women urged Vigdís to run, and she received widespread encouragement. During the campaign, she faced skepticism, primarily due to her status as a woman and a single parent; however, her confident presence and sharp responses to inappropriate questions garnered public support. She won the election with 34% of the vote, narrowly beating her closest rival.
Vigdís took office on August 1, 1980. Her election made global headlines and inspired women worldwide. Many saw it as a symbolic victory for women’s rights and proof that leadership is not the exclusive domain of men.
An unconventional path to the presidency
Born in 1930, Vigdís studied French and theater in France, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland. She worked as a tour guide and French teacher, eventually gaining national recognition through televised French lessons. Before running for president, she served as director of the Reykjavík Theatre Company.
When the sitting president announced he would not seek reelection, a group of women urged Vigdís to run, and she received widespread encouragement. During the campaign, she faced skepticism, primarily due to her status as a woman and a single parent; however, her confident presence and sharp responses to inappropriate questions garnered public support. She won the election with 34% of the vote, narrowly beating her closest rival.
Vigdís took office on August 1, 1980. Her election made global headlines and inspired women worldwide. Many saw it as a symbolic victory for women’s rights and proof that leadership is not the exclusive domain of men.
An unconventional path to the presidency
Born in 1930, Vigdís studied French and theater in France, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland. She worked as a tour guide and French teacher, eventually gaining national recognition through televised French lessons. Before running for president, she served as director of the Reykjavík Theatre Company.
When the sitting president announced he would not seek reelection, a group of women urged Vigdís to run, and she received widespread encouragement. During the campaign, she faced skepticism, primarily due to her status as a woman and a single parent; however, her confident presence and sharp responses to inappropriate questions garnered public support. She won the election with 34% of the vote, narrowly beating her closest rival.
Vigdís took office on August 1, 1980. Her election made global headlines and inspired women worldwide. Many saw it as a symbolic victory for women’s rights and proof that leadership is not the exclusive domain of men.
Four Terms and a Legacy
Vigdís served four terms, remaining president until 1996. During her time in office, she emphasized the importance of language, culture, and environmental protection. After stepping down, she continued working internationally on human rights and cultural issues, including through the United Nations.
Two men succeeded her as president. But in 2024, Iceland elected its second female president, Halla Tómasdóttir, becoming one of the very few countries to have had multiple women hold the nation’s highest office.
In 2023, the Icelandic government and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe launched the Vigdís Prize for Women‘s Empowerment. The annual prize honours outstanding initiatives to promote the empowerment of women in all their diversity, in Europe and beyond.
Four Terms and a Legacy
Vigdís served four terms, remaining president until 1996. During her time in office, she emphasized the importance of language, culture, and environmental protection. After stepping down, she continued working internationally on human rights and cultural issues, including through the United Nations.
Two men succeeded her as president. But in 2024, Iceland elected its second female president, Halla Tómasdóttir, becoming one of the very few countries to have had multiple women hold the nation’s highest office.
In 2023, the Icelandic government and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe launched the Vigdís Prize for Women‘s Empowerment. The annual prize honours outstanding initiatives to promote the empowerment of women in all their diversity, in Europe and beyond.
Four Terms and a Legacy
Vigdís served four terms, remaining president until 1996. During her time in office, she emphasized the importance of language, culture, and environmental protection. After stepping down, she continued working internationally on human rights and cultural issues, including through the United Nations.
Two men succeeded her as president. But in 2024, Iceland elected its second female president, Halla Tómasdóttir, becoming one of the very few countries to have had multiple women hold the nation’s highest office.
In 2023, the Icelandic government and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe launched the Vigdís Prize for Women‘s Empowerment. The annual prize honours outstanding initiatives to promote the empowerment of women in all their diversity, in Europe and beyond.
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir at Þingvellir, 2005. Photographer: Karl R.Lilliendahl
A statue of Ingibjörg H. Bjarnason unveiled in front of Alþingi in 2015, marking the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in Iceland.
A statue of Ingibjörg H. Bjarnason unveiled in front of Alþingi in 2015, marking the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in Iceland.
