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
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Lisbeth Palme in 2016 at the 30th anniversary ceremony of the Olof Palme murder
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| 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 (1931-03-14)14 March 1931 Stockholm, Sweden |
| Died | 18 October 2018(2018-10-18) (aged 87) Stockholm, Sweden |
| Political party | Social Democrats |
| Spouse |
(m. 1956; died 1986) |
| Children |
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Anna Lisbeth Christina Beck-Friis was born to civil engineer and baron Christian Beck-Friis and his wife Anna-Lisa Beck-Friis (née Bolling).[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][4]
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.[5]
She was the chairman of the Swedish UNICEF committee between 1987 and 1999,[6] and in that role campaigned against the sexual exploitation of children.[7] 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.[8] She was a member of the Organisation of African Unity committee of investigation into the Rwandan genocide which reported its findings in 2000.[9]
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.[10] Together they had three sons: Joakim, Mårten and Mattias.[11] The couple had been married for almost 30 years when Olof Palme was assassinated in 1986.[10]
Lisbeth Palme was an eyewitness to the murder of her husband on the night of 28 February 1986.[10] During the trial, she pointed out Christer Pettersson as being the perpetrator of the killing.[10] According to a detective present, she also made remarks that it was evident that Pettersson was an alcoholic.[12][13] The comments were interpreted by some as if she had been informed that the suspect was an alcoholic and a drug addict.[12] Several experts have, over the years, pointed towards the possibility that Lisbeth Palme may have identified the wrong man.[14]
Palme died on 18 October 2018, after suffering from an unspecified illness for some time.[13] She was 87.
Media related to Lisbet Palme at Wikimedia Commons