Iceland’s Minister for Children and Education, Ásthildur Lóa Thórsdóttir, stepped down from her post on March 23, 2025, following revelations about a relationship she had with a 15-year-old boy over 35 years ago, as reported by Iceland’s public broadcaster, RUV. Thórsdóttir, who was 22 at the time, admitted to starting the relationship while working as a counselor for a religious group, resulting in the birth of a son when she was 23 and the boy was 16.
The disclosure has sparked significant controversy, despite the age of consent in Iceland being 15 under the country’s penal code. However, Icelandic law prohibits adults in positions of authority, such as teachers or counselors, from engaging in sexual relationships with individuals under 18, with violations carrying a potential penalty of up to 12 years in prison. Thórsdóttir’s role as a counselor at the time has raised questions about the legality and ethics of her actions, though no legal proceedings have been reported in connection to this case.
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The father, now an adult, told RUV he never viewed himself as a victim, explaining that he had turned to the church group for support during a challenging period in his life. He was present at the birth of his child, but Thórsdóttir restricted nearly all contact after the child’s first year, despite his efforts to secure visitation rights through the Ministry of Justice and the church’s family services. He was, however, obligated to pay child support for 18 years.
Following RUV’s report on Thursday, Thórsdóttir resigned from her ministerial role but will retain her seat in parliament as a member of the People’s Party. Iceland’s Prime Minister, Kristrún Frostadóttir, addressed the resignation at a Friday news conference, noting that Thórsdóttir had met with the leaders of the country’s three main parties to discuss the matter. “She took responsibility quickly by stepping down,” the prime minister said, emphasizing that the decision was Thórsdóttir’s own. The prime minister added that an investigation into the issue, which surfaced a week prior, remains ongoing.
The scandal has cast a shadow over Thórsdóttir’s tenure, though the prime minister insisted it would not derail the government’s broader agenda. Efforts to reach Thórsdóttir and the Ministry for Education and Children for comment have so far been unsuccessful.
Key Points:
- Resignation: Ásthildur Lóa Thórsdóttir, Iceland’s Minister for Children and Education, resigned on March 23, 2025, after admitting to a relationship with a 15-year-old boy over 35 years ago when she was 22.
- Relationship Details: The relationship began while Thórsdóttir was a counselor for a religious group, leading to the birth of a son when she was 23 and the boy was 16.
- Legal Context: Iceland’s age of consent is 15, but it is illegal for adults in authoritative roles (e.g., counselors) to have sexual relationships with those under 18, with penalties up to 12 years in prison.
- Father’s Perspective: The now-adult father told RUV he did not see himself as a victim, having sought support from the church group during a tough time, though he was later denied contact with his child.
- Visitation and Support: The father was present at the birth but was cut off from contact before the child turned 1, despite seeking help from authorities; he paid child support for 18 years.
- Political Fallout: Thórsdóttir stepped down after RUV’s report but will remain a People’s Party member of parliament.
- Prime Minister’s Response: Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir said the resignation was Thórsdóttir’s decision after discussions with party leaders, with an investigation still underway.
- Ongoing Impact: The prime minister emphasized that the incident, while unfortunate, does not affect the government’s work; attempts to contact Thórsdóttir and the Ministry for comment were unsuccessful.
