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Lindgren’s legacy lives on through her timeless stories and her impact on children’s literature, making her one of the most beloved and influential authors of all time.
In today’s article, we take a look into her life as we find out more about her including her cause of death and how it all happened.
Astrid Lindgren’s Biography
Astrid Anna Emilia Lindgren, one of the most beloved and celebrated Swedish writers of all time, was born on November 14, 1907, in Näs, near Vimmerby, Småland, Sweden.
Her parents were Samuel August Ericsson and Hanna Jonsson, and she had two sisters, Stina and Ingegerd, as well as a brother, Gunnar Ericsson. Lindgren acquired an early interest in stories and adventure while growing up in a small village.
Lindgren began working for the local newspaper, Vimmerby Tidning, in Vimmerby after finishing high school. Her life, however, took an unexpected turn when she became embroiled in a controversial romance with the top editor, resulting in her pregnancy.
Lindgren chose to go to Stockholm, Sweden’s capital city, where she obtained secretarial skills and gave birth to her sole son, Lars. Lars was fostered for four years before being returned to Lindgren. Unfortunately, he died in 1986.
Lindgren began working as a clerk at Sweden’s Royal Automobile Club in 1928. Lindgren began writing in her leisure time at this period. She married her supervisor, Sture Lindgren, in 1931, and gave birth to their second child, Karin, in 1934. Lindgren’s writing career, however, did not take off until much later in her life.
The influence of Astrid Lindgren on children’s literature cannot be emphasised. She conceived and wrote several renowned children’s book series, including Pippi Longstocking, Emil of Lönneberga, Karlsson-on-the-Roof, and the Six Bullerby Children (known in the United States as Children of Noisy Village).
Her children’s fantasy novels, such as Mio, My Son, Ronia the Robber’s Daughter, and The Brothers Lionheart, captivated millions of readers worldwide.
Lindgren, in addition to being an author, served on the Children’s Literature Editorial Board at the Rabén & Sjögren publishing business in Stockholm. Throughout her career, she wrote over 30 novels for children, leaving an indelible impression on generations of readers.
Her work was important not just in the literary world, but also in pushing for children’s rights and animal care. Her resistance to child corporal punishment resulted in the world’s first statute on the subject in 1979.
Similarly, her animal welfare activism resulted in a new law, Lex Lindgren, being passed in time for her 80th birthday.
Lindgren’s literary accomplishments and dedication to children’s rights garnered her countless medals and honours. She received the Right Livelihood Award in 1994 for her unique authorship committed to children’s rights and respect for their individuality.
Lindgren was also awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal, the highest honour in children’s literature, in 1958.
Astrid Lindgren died on January 28, 2002, at the age of 94, in her home in central Stockholm. Members of the Swedish royal family and Prime Minister Göran Persson attended her funeral in Gamla stan’s Storkyrkan.
Astrid Lindgren Cause of Death
Astrid Lindgren’s cause of death is unknown currently as there is no information on what led to her demise.
