Josefin Nilsson facts for kids

Josefin Nilsson was a talented Swedish singer and actress. She was born on March 22, 1969, in När, Gotland, Sweden. Josefin became well-known for her beautiful voice and her work in music and theater. She passed away on February 29, 2016, at the age of 46.

Josefin Nilsson's Life and Career

Josefin Nilsson grew up in Gotland, Sweden. Her father, Allan Nilsson, was a revue artist and songwriter. This likely sparked her interest in music and performing from a young age.

Starting with Ainbusk

Josefin helped create the music group Ainbusk. She formed the group with her sister Marie Nilsson and two friends, Annelie Roswall and Birgitta "Bittis" Jakobsson. They quickly caught the attention of Benny Andersson, a famous member of the band ABBA.

Benny Andersson wrote two successful songs for Ainbusk. The group released their first collection of songs, called an EP, in 1990. This helped them become popular in Sweden.

Solo Music and Acting

In 1992, Josefin received the Ulla Billquist scholarship. This award helps encourage young artists in Sweden. The next year, she released her first solo album, Shapes.

This album was special because it was written and produced by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, both from the legendary group ABBA. Shapes was very popular and reached number 14 on the Swedish music charts.

Josefin also showed her talent in acting. In 2002, she played the role of Svetlana in the Swedish version of the musical Chess. She also took part in the Melodifestivalen in 2005 as a solo artist. This is the Swedish competition to choose who will represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest. She returned to Melodifestivalen with her group Ainbusk in 2008.

Later Years and Legacy

Josefin released several albums with her band Ainbusk between 1993 and 2008. She also appeared in a few movies. Later in her career, she had to take a break due to health issues.

In 2015, Benny Andersson wrote a new song for her. She recorded it with her sister Marie, but it was released digitally later, in 2019. In 2016, Josefin performed a few concerts in Gotland with her sister Marie.

Josefin passed away shortly after having hip surgery. In 2019, a documentary about her life was shown on Swedish television. It shared details about her health struggles, which were linked to difficult experiences she had faced in the past. The documentary helped start important discussions in Sweden about supporting people who have gone through tough times.

Music Albums

• Shapes (1993)

Hit Singles

• Heaven and Hell (1993)
• High Hopes and Heartaches
• Where the Whales Have Ceased to Sing
• Surprise, Surprise
• Med hjärtats egna ord (2005)
• Jag saknar dig ibland (2008)

Acting Roles