List of people from Reykjavík facts for kids

Coat of Arms of Reykjavík

Reykjavík, the capital city of Iceland, is a special place where many famous and talented people were born or have lived. These individuals have made a big difference in many areas, like politics, sports, arts, and science. This list introduces you to some of these notable people and their amazing achievements.

Born in Reykjavík

Early Pioneers (19th Century)

• Jóhann Gunnar Sigurðsson (1882–1906) was a poet who wrote beautiful verses.
• Sigurjón Pétursson (1888–1955) was a well-known wrestler.
• Tryggvi Þórhallsson (1889–1935) served as the Prime Minister of Iceland from 1927 to 1932, helping to lead the country.
• Jóhannes Gunnarsson (1897–1972) was an important leader in the Roman Catholic Church.
• Engel Lund (1900–1996) was a talented Danish-Icelandic singer known for her soprano voice.

Leaders and Innovators (Early 20th Century)

Vigdís Finnbogadóttir
(born 1930)

• Ólafía Einarsdóttir (1924–2017) was the very first Icelander to get a degree in archaeology, studying ancient history.
• Halldór Laxness (1902–1998) was a famous writer who won the Nobel Prize in Literature.
• Bjarni Benediktsson (1908–1970) was a key figure in Iceland's fight for independence.
• Gunnar Thoroddsen (1910–1983) was the Prime Minister of Iceland from 1980 to 1983.
• Baldur Möller (1914–1999) was a skilled chess master.
• Áskell Löve (1916–1994) was a botanist, a scientist who studies plants.
• Louisa Matthíasdóttir (1917–2000) was an Icelandic-American painter known for her unique art style.
• Jórunn Viðar (1918–2017) was a talented pianist and composer.
• Albert Guðmundsson (1923–1994) was the first Icelandic professional football player.
• Geir Hallgrímsson (1925–1990) was both the Prime Minister of Iceland and the mayor of Reykjavík.
• Haukur Clausen (1928–2003) and Örn Clausen (1928–2008) were both Olympic athletes.
• Steingrímur Hermannsson (1928–2010) was a well-known politician.
• Magnus Magnusson (1929–2007) was a famous journalist, writer, and TV presenter.
• Vigdís Finnbogadóttir (born 1930) made history as the President of Iceland from 1980 to 1996, becoming the world's first democratically elected female head of state.
• Jón Gunnar Árnason (1931–1989) was a talented sculptor.
• Friðrik Ólafsson (born 1935) is a chess grandmaster, one of the highest titles in chess.
• Jón Kristinsson (born 1936) is a Dutch architect.
• Álfrún Gunnlaugsdóttir (born 1938) was a respected writer.
• Ragnar Stefánsson (born 1938) is a seismologist, studying earthquakes, and a professor.
• Atli Heimir Sveinsson (1938–2019) was a notable composer.

Modern Figures (Mid-20th Century)

Bjarni Tryggvason
(1945–2022)

Ari Trausti Guðmundsson
(born 1948)

• Björgólfur Guðmundsson (born 1941) is a businessman.
• Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir (born 1942) is a politician who served as Prime Minister.
• Markús Örn Antonsson (born 1943) was the Mayor of Reykjavík from 1991 to 1994.
• Bjarni Tryggvason (1945–2022) was a Canadian engineer and astronaut who traveled to space.
• Gunnar Hansen (1947–2015) was an Icelandic-American actor.
• Ari Trausti Guðmundsson (born 1948) is a geologist, author, and explorer.
• Davíð Oddsson (born 1948) was the longest-serving Prime Minister of Iceland.
• Þórarinn Eldjárn (born 1949) is a well-known writer.
• Kristenn Einarsson (born 1950) is an Icelandic-Norwegian publisher.
• Steinunn Sigurðardóttir (born 1950) is a poet and novelist.

Arts, Sports, and Politics (Late 20th Century)

Jónína Bjartmarz
(born 1952)

Árni Mathiesen
(born 1958)

Kristín Helga Gunnarsdóttir
(born 1963)

Magnús Scheving
(born 1964)

Baltasar Kormákur
(born 1966)

Áslaug Magnúsdóttir
(born 1967)

Gerður Kristný
(born 1970)

• Geir Haarde (born 1951) is a politician who served as Prime Minister.
• Jónína Bjartmarz (born 1952) is a politician.
• Edda Björgvinsdóttir (born 1952) is an actress, comedian, and writer.
• Sigurjón Sighvatsson (born 1952) is a film producer.
• Herbert Guðmundsson (born 1953) is a pop music singer-songwriter.
• Össur Skarphéðinsson (born 1953) is a politician.
• Friðrik Þór Friðriksson (born 1954) is a film director.
• Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir (born 1954) is a politician.
• Einar Már Guðmundsson (born 1954) is an author of novels and poetry.
• Jónína Leósdóttir (born 1954) is a novelist and playwright.
• Kolbrún Halldórsdóttir (born 1955) is a politician.
• Einar Kárason (born 1955) is a writer.
• Bubbi Morthens (born 1956) is a very popular singer and songwriter.
• Helgi Ólafsson (born 1956) is a chess grandmaster.
• Atli Eðvaldsson (born 1957) was a footballer.
• Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson (born 1958) is a musician and composer.
• Árni Mathiesen (born 1958) is a politician.
• Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir (born 1958) is a novelist and poet.
• Eiríkur Hauksson (born 1959) is a heavy metal vocalist.
• Hallgrímur Helgason (born 1959) is a painter, novelist, and columnist.
• Jón Loftur Árnason (born 1960) is a chess grandmaster.
• Jón Atli Benediktsson (born 1960) is the Rector of the University of Iceland.
• Guðmundur Guðmundsson (born 1960) is a famous handball player and coach.
• Margeir Pétursson (born 1960) is a banker and chess grandmaster.
• Arnaldur Indriðason (born 1961) is a popular writer of crime fiction.
• Gyrðir Elíasson (born 1961) is an author and translator.
• Arnór Guðjohnsen (born 1961) was a well-known footballer.
• Einar Örn Benediktsson (born 1962) is a singer.
• Sjón (born 1962) is a poet, novelist, and lyricist.
• Kristín Helga Gunnarsdóttir (born 1963) is a children's writer and novelist.
• Jóhann Hjartarson (born 1963) is a chess grandmaster.
• Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson (born 1963) is a respected actor.
• Jón Kalman Stefánsson (born 1963) is a celebrated author.
• Magnús Scheving (born 1964) is the creator and star of the children's show LazyTown.
• Björk (born 1965) is a world-famous singer, songwriter, and actress.
• Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir (born 1965) is a politician.
• Steinunn Valdís Óskarsdóttir (born 1965) was the mayor of Reykjavík from 2004 to 2006.
• Baltasar Kormákur (born 1966) is a well-known actor and film director.
• Skúli Sverrisson (born 1966) is a composer and bass guitarist.
• Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson (born 1967) is a successful businessman.
• Jón Gnarr (born 1967) is an actor, comedian, and former mayor of Reykjavík.
• Áslaug Magnúsdóttir (born 1967) is a businesswoman and entrepreneur.
• Guðni Th. Jóhannesson (born 1968) has been the President of Iceland since 2016.
• Halla Tómasdóttir (born 1968) is a business person and public speaker.
• Jóhann Jóhannsson (born 1969) was an acclaimed composer.
• Rúnar Kristinsson (born 1969) is a former footballer.
• Bjarni Benediktsson (born 1970) is a politician.
• Gerður Kristný (born 1970) is a celebrated poet.
• Paul Oscar (born 1970) is a popular pop singer and disc jockey.

Athletes, Artists, and Public Figures (Early 21st Century)

Hera Björk
(born 1972)

Steinunn Kristín Þórðardóttir
(born 1972)

Dagur Sigurðsson
(born 1973)

Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir
(born 1974)

Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir
(born 1976)

Logi Geirsson
(born 1982)

Ásdís Hjálmsdóttir
(born 1985)

Jóhanna Vala Jónsdóttir
(born 1986)

Bjarni Viðarsson
(born 1988)

Helga Margrét Þorsteinsdóttir
(born 1991)

Elín Metta Jensen
(born 1995)

• Ragnar Bragason (born 1971) is a film director and screenwriter.
• Hera Björk (born 1972) is a singer.
• Arnar Grétarsson (born 1972) is a football manager and former player.
• Eygló Harðardóttir (born 1972) is a politician.
• Jón Atli Jónasson (born 1972) is a playwright and screenwriter.
• Steinunn Kristín Þórðardóttir (born 1972) is a businesswoman.
• Dagur Sigurðsson (born 1973) is a famous handball player.
• Ólafur Stefánsson (born 1973) is another well-known handball player.
• Selma Björnsdóttir (born 1974) is an actress and singer.
• Garðar Thór Cortes (born 1974) is a tenor singer.
• Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir (born 1974) is an actress and producer.
• Hermann Hreiðarsson (born 1974) is a former footballer.
• Katrín Júlíusdóttir (born 1974) is a politician.
• Guðmundur Þór Kárason (born 1974) is a puppet designer and puppeteer.
• Árni Gautur Arason (born 1975) is a football goalkeeper.
• Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson (born 1975) is a politician.
• Sigfús Sigurðsson (born 1975) is a handball player.
• Thóra Arnórsdóttir (born 1975) is a media personality.
• Katrín Jakobsdóttir (born 1976) is a politician who has served as Prime Minister.
• Ragnar Kjartansson (born 1976) is a notable artist.
• Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir (born 1976) is a writer.
• Björgvin Franz Gíslason (born 1977) is an actor and children's television host.
• Eiður Guðjohnsen (born 1978) is a very famous footballer.
• Vala Flosadóttir (born 1978) is an athlete.
• Guðjón Valur Sigurðsson (born 1979) is a handball player.
• Ólöf Arnalds (born 1980) is a singer-songwriter.
• Róbert Gunnarsson (born 1980) is a handball player.
• Veigar Páll Gunnarsson (born 1980) is a football striker.
• Hildur Guðnadóttir (born 1982) is an Academy Award-winning composer, known for her film scores.
• Logi Geirsson (born 1982) is a handball player.
• Jón Arnór Stefánsson (born 1982) is a basketball player.
• Hannes Þór Halldórsson (born 1984) is a footballer and filmmaker.
• Unnur Birna Vilhjálmsdóttir (born 1984) is an actress, lawyer, and former Miss World.
• Ásdís Hjálmsdóttir (born 1985) is a javelin thrower.
• Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (born 1988) is a strongman, actor, and former basketball player, famous for playing "The Mountain" in Game of Thrones.
• Rúrik Gíslason (born 1988) is a footballer.
• Alfreð Finnbogason (born 1989) is a footballer.
• Gylfi Sigurðsson (born 1989) is a well-known footballer.
• Anníe Mist Þórisdóttir (born 1989) is a two-time CrossFit Games Champion.
• Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson (born 1990) is a footballer.
• Kolbeinn Sigþórsson (born 1990) is a footballer.
• Helga Margrét Þorsteinsdóttir (born 1991) is a heptathlete.
• Hjörvar Steinn Grétarsson (born 1993) is a chess grandmaster.
• Eygló Ósk Gústafsdóttir (born 1995) is a swimmer.
• Elín Metta Jensen (born 1995) is a footballer.
• Aníta Hinriksdóttir (born 1996) is a middle-distance runner.
• Laufey Lín Jónsdóttir (born 1999) is a popular singer-songwriter.

Lived in Reykjavík

• Einar Sveinsson (1906–1973) was the City Architect of Reykjavík for many years.
• Nína Björk Árnadóttir (1941–2000) was a playwright, poet, and novelist.
• Árni Sigfússon (born 1956) was a former mayor of Reykjavík.
• Svandís Svavarsdóttir (born 1964) is a member of the Icelandic parliament.
• Gunnar Nelson (born 1988) is a famous Icelandic MMA fighter.