Birgitta Haukdal

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Birgitta Haukdal Brynjarsdóttir was born on 28 July 1979 in the small town of Húsavík in northern Iceland. Growing up in a music-loving family, she dreamed of singing from a young age. In fact, at just seven years old she was inspired by watching Belgium’s Sandra Kim win Eurovision 1986, sparking her own Eurovision ambitions. Birgitta began performing around the year 2000 and quickly proved her talent. By November 1999, she had become the lead vocalist of the Icelandic pop band Írafár, marking the true start of her music career. With Birgitta as frontwoman, Írafár released their first single, “Hvar er ég?” (“Where Am I?”) in 2000, followed by two more hits in 2001. These early releases built momentum for the band’s success.

Rise to Fame with Írafár

Birgitta rose to national prominence as Írafár’s energetic lead singer. The band signed with the major Icelandic label Skífan in 2002 and launched their debut album Allt sem ég sé (“All I See”) in November that year. The album became a smash hit in Iceland – it was the fastest-selling pop album in 25 years and went platinum, a rare achievement in the local market. By 2003, Birgitta Haukdal was one of Iceland’s most popular pop vocalists, even earning accolades like Pop Star of the Year and Performer of the Year in Iceland. 

Eurovision Song Contest 2003

In early 2003, Birgitta entered Söngvakeppnin 2003, Iceland’s national selection for Eurovision. She won the competition with the uplifting pop song “Segðu mér allt” (“Tell Me Everything”). This victory earned her the honor of representing Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 in Riga. On the Eurovision stage, Birgitta performed the song in English as “Open Your Heart”, opening the show as the very first act of the night. At the end of the exciting voting, Birgitta finished in eighth place. This respectable top-10 result brought Iceland one of its better finishes of the decade. More importantly, it introduced Birgitta Haukdal to an international audience and solidified her status as a Eurovision star.

Continued Eurovision Journey

Birgitta’s love for Eurovision did not end in 2003. In the following years, she remained active in Iceland’s Eurovision scene, attempting to return to the contest multiple times. She entered the Icelandic selection for Eurovision 2006 with the song “Mynd af þér” (“Picture of You”). A couple of years later, she teamed up with singer Magni Ásgeirsson to compete in the Eurovision 2008 national finals with a duet called “Núna veit ég” (“Now I Know”). Both songs made it to the Icelandic finals but ultimately did not win the ticket to Eurovision. Birgitta didn’t give up; she tried again in 2013, performing the emotional ballad “Meðal andanna” (“Among the Spirits”) in the national selection that year. That entry, which she co-wrote with her sister, reached the Söngvakeppnin final but was eliminated in the first round. These continued efforts show Birgitta’s enduring passion for Eurovision. 

Solo Music Career and Projects

Outside of Eurovision, Birgitta Haukdal built a successful solo music career. She released several solo albums and compilations through the 2000s, showcasing her range as a pop artist. Her debut solo album Perlur (“Pearls”) came out in 2004 and featured a collection of songs that resonated with her Icelandic audience. She followed up with Ein (“One”) in 2007 and Straumar (“Currents”) in 2011, among other releases. Birgitta’s music style ranged from catchy upbeat pop to heartfelt ballads, and she sang both in Icelandic and English. During this period, she also lent her voice to various collaborations and even recorded songs for children. Her warmth and charisma made her popular on stage and on television alike, and she occasionally took on acting roles in Icelandic film and TV. 

Personal Life and New Endeavors

Beyond music, Birgitta’s personal life saw happy milestones. She married her long-term boyfriend, Benedikt Einarsson, on 23 October 2008 in a ceremony in Reykjavík. A few years later, she embraced motherhood; by early 2013 she mentioned having a three-year-old son at home. In the mid-2010s, she transformed her passion for storytelling into writing children’s books. Birgitta created the Lára children’s book series, which quickly became a hit with young readers in Iceland. Over the years, the series grew to over a dozen titles and turned Birgitta into a bestselling author for kids. The Lára books are known for their colorful illustrations and positive messages, and have been among the most popular children’s books in the country. 

Recent Activities (up to 2025)

As of 2025, Birgitta Haukdal continues to be active and beloved in Iceland’s entertainment scene. Even after two decades since her Eurovision debut, she hasn’t slowed down. In recent years she has released new music, proving her enduring talent. For example, she collaborated on a playful single called “Partýleitarflokkurinn” in 2023 and followed up with “Springa út” in early 2024, working again with Hallgrímur Óskarsson – the composer of her Eurovision hit.