Lisbeth Palme
Anna Lisbeth Christina Palme, née Beck-Friis (14 March 1931 – 18 October 2018), was a Swedish children's psychologist, UNICEF chairwoman and the wife of Swedish prime minister Olof Palme, until his assassination in 1986.[1]
Lisbeth Palme | |
---|---|
Lisbeth Palme in 2016 at the 30th anniversary ceremony of the Olof Palme murder | |
Spouse of the Prime Minister of Sweden | |
In role 8 October 1982 – 28 February 1986 | |
Prime Minister | Olof Palme |
Preceded by | Solveig Fälldin |
Succeeded by | Ingrid Carlsson |
In role 14 October 1969 – 8 October 1976 | |
Prime Minister | Olof Palme |
Preceded by | Aina Erlander |
Succeeded by | Solveig Fälldin |
Personal details | |
Born | Anna Lisbeth Christina Beck-Friis 14 March 1931 Stockholm, Sweden |
Died | 18 October 2018 87) Stockholm, Sweden | (aged
Political party | Social Democrats |
Spouse(s) | |
Children | Joakim Palme Mårten Palme Mattias Palme |
Biography
Early life and studies
Anna Lisbeth Christina Beck-Friis was born to civil engineer and baron Christian Beck-Friis and his wife Anna-Lisa.[2] After graduating from the Nya Elementarskolan för flickor (New Elementary School for Girls) in Stockholm in 1950, she studied at Stockholm University, graduating in the summer of 1955.[3]
Career
Palme worked as a children's psychologist and was during a period of time employed at Stockholm County Council, and later at the social department for Stockholm county.[4]
She was the chairman of the Swedish UNICEF committee between 1987 and 1999[5] and in that role campaigned against the sexual exploitation of children.[6] She became the international chairwoman for UNICEF between 1990 and 1991.[1]
Palme was one of the champions for the Children's convention (Barnkonventionen) which was later established.[7] She was a member of the Organisation of African Unity committee of investigation into the Rwandan genocide which reported its findings in 2000.[8]
Personal life
Lisbeth married politician Olof Palme on 9 June 1956. He later became Sweden's prime minister; firstly between 1969 and 1976, and again between 1982 and 1986.[9] Together they had three sons: Joakim, Mårten and Mattias.[10] The couple had been married for almost 30 years when Olof Palme was assassinated in 1986.[9]
Lisbeth Palme was an eyewitness to the murder of her husband on the night of 28 February 1986.[9] During the trial, she pointed out Christer Pettersson as being the perpetrator of the killing.[9] According to a detective present, she also made remarks that it was evident that Pettersson was an alcoholic.[11][12] The comments were interpreted by some as if she had been informed that the suspect was an alcoholic and a drug addict.[11] Several experts have, over the years, pointed towards the possibility that Lisbeth Palme may have identified the wrong man.[13]
Death
Palme died on 18 October 2018, after suffering from an unspecified illness for some time.[12] She was 87.
References
- "Lisbet Palme, widow of murdered Swedish PM, dies aged 87". The Local. 18 October 2018.
- "Palme, S Olof J". Vem är det : Svensk biografisk handbok (in Swedish). Stockholm: Project Runeberg. 1981. p. 822. ISBN 978-91-1-805012-1.
- "Bilden Palme helst hade sluppit vara med på". Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish).
- "Stefan Löfven: 'Hade många fina samtal med Lisbeth Palme'" (in Swedish). Sveriges Television. 18 October 2018.
- "Lisbet Palme var en orädd och kraftfull förespråkare för barns rätt" (in Swedish). UNICEF Sveriges blog. 18 October 2016.
- "Sexual Exploitation Is Up, Experts Say". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 12 June 1996. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012.
- "Lisbeth Palme kämpade för barnens rättigheter". Aftonbladet (in Swedish).
- Brittain, Victoria (7 July 2000). "Africans say UN must pay for genocide". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- "Who Murdered Olof Palme?". Observer. 16 November 2016.
- "Sönerna: "Olof Palme var en gladlynt och positiv person"". Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). 26 February 2016.
- "LEDARE: Lisbet Palme har skäl att vara kritisk". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). 25 October 2001.
- "Reports: Widow of slain former Swedish PM Olof Palme dies". The Miami Herald. 18 October 2018.
- "Palmeexpert: Lisbet hade fel i vittnesmålet". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). 28 February 2013.