Slitz magazine sweden biography

Continuing our series, we are taking a look at the life of Sofia Hellqvist before becoming Princess Sofia of Sweden.

The pristine lakes, forests, and mountains of Älvdalen, Sweden look straight out of a Disney fairytale. It’s no wonder that a future princess spent her formative years in such a dreamlike location. And like the Disney show Sofia the First, there’s another Princess Sofia who went from being an everyday girl to living in a royal palace.

This princess was born Sofia Kristina Hellqvist on 6 December 1984, the second of three daughters. Her mother, Marie Britt Rotman, worked as a marketing manager and her father, Erik Oscar Hellqvist, was an employment counsellor.

The young Sofia lived in Täby, Sweden until she was six. Her family then moved to the tiny town of Älvdalen, where runes were still used until the early 20th century, and there are people who still speak an ancient Viking-era language called Elfdalian. The region offered her an active childhood filled with plenty of outdoor activities, such as skiing.

Sofia attended Älvdalen Montessori School and Älvdal School. She was interested in the arts, and became a student of the arts programme at Vansbro Education Centre, specialising in music. Years later this came in handy when she wrote a song for her husband that was performed at their wedding.

Perhaps wanting to experience a more cosmopolitan setting, Sofia set her sights on Stockholm. While studying in Sweden’s capital, she also worked as a glamour model. After modelling topless with a boa constrictor around her neck at the age of 20 for Swedish men’s magazine Slitz, she was voted “Miss Slitz 2004.”

The recognition from her modelling led to a TV gig in 2005 when she appeared on the Swedish reality show Paradise Hotel. The popular programme featured sexy singles living together at a luxury resort. Sofia was named a finalist before being voted off.

Next up for Sofia: the

Swedish model (born 1983)

Elin Karolina Grindemyr (born 7 February 1983) is a Swedishmodel. Her first appearance was in the Swedish men's magazineSlitz in the September 2003 issue as a contender for "Annual Sexiest Girlfriend". Despite the fact that she did not win this contest, she has appeared in Slitz several times thereafter.

In May 2005, Grindemyr was voted as the sexiest woman in Sweden by the readers of Slitz.

References

External links

• Firewerx.dk/m, Petition, which made it possible for Danish readers of the magazine M! to see her on the frontpage

Upon the news of their initial courtship, the prince’s relationship with the model and reality TV star certainly raised eyebrows and led to one local outlet republishing daring photos from early in Sofia’s career. Sofia previously recalled the 'huge hate storm' she faced when her relationship with the royal was revealed, saying in 2018: ‘People had opinions about me and my relationship, and more. It was very tough. People had comments on everything possible, on what I do and how I look.’ She subsequently championed causes to combat online bullying. However, by the time Carl Philip and Sofia announced their engagement in June 2014, public sentiment had shifted and the public embraced the picture-perfect prince and princess on their June 2015 wedding day.

In April 2016, Sofia gave birth to their first child, Prince Alexander, now seven. Two further sons followed: Prince Gabriel, now six, and Prince Julian, now two.

King Carl XVI Gustaf decided in October 2019 that Carl Philip and Sofia’s sons, as well as the children of Princess Madeleine, will not have an official ‘royal status’. Although they are still styled as princes and princesses and remain in the line of succession, they do not receive taxpayer funds and are not styled his or her royal highness. Sofia and Carl Philip said at the time of the announcement that it would give their children more freedom in future. They commented: ‘We see this as positive as Alexander and Gabriel will have freer choices in life.’ They went on to add that they were proud of the remaining titles: ‘They will retain their prince titles and their duchies, Södermanland and Dalarna, which we value and are proud of.’

The Prince and Princess also affirmed their commitment to the duchies in their sons titles: 'Our family ha