Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway

Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway (born Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby on 19 August 1973) is a member of the Norwegian royal family and the wife of Crown Prince Haakon, the heir apparent to the Norwegian throne.

Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway (born Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby on 19 August 1973) is a member of the Norwegian royal family and the wife of Crown Prince Haakon, the heir apparent to the Norwegian throne. She became Crown Princess in 2001 and has been associated with humanitarian, cultural, and youth-focused patronage work. In recent years, her public role has also been shaped by her pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis and subsequent lung transplant in 2026.

Early life

Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby was born in Kristiansand, Norway, in 1973. Public biographical sources identify her as the daughter of Sven O. Høiby and Marit Tjessem.

Marriage and royal role

She married Crown Prince Haakon in Oslo on 25 August 2001 and became Crown Princess of Norway. As the spouse of the heir apparent, she is part of the Norwegian royal family and participates in official duties.

Public work and patronage

Royal biographies and popular profiles describe her as supporting humanitarian, cultural, and youth-focused initiatives. She has also been associated with causes such as literature, sustainability, mental health, and social inclusion.

Health

Mette-Marit was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, a chronic lung disease. In 2026, she underwent a lung transplant after her condition was described as life-threatening.

Public controversies

Her public life has included controversy related to her past relationships, reported contact with Jeffrey Epstein, and later scrutiny involving her son Marius Borg Høiby. These issues have drawn significant media attention.