Overview
Ari Behn (born Ari Mikael Bjørshol; 30 September 1972 – 25 December 2019) was a prominent Norwegian writer and public figure, born in Denmark and active in Norway. He published fiction and essays, worked in theatre, and became widely known both for his literary output and for aspects of his private life that attracted intense media attention.
Literary career and style
Behn first reached a broad audience with a 1999 short story collection that combined autobiographical elements, dark humor and a frank tone. His body of work included novels, short-story collections and a personal book about his wedding, and his texts were translated into several languages. He also turned to the stage, debuting as a playwright in 2011. Critics noted his direct voice, candid exploration of relationships and recurring themes of loneliness and emotional turmoil.
- Notable work: the 1999 collection often translated as "Sad as hell" (Norwegian title: Trist som faen).
- Other output: novels, two further short-story collections and a book connected to his wedding.
- Theatre: made a stage debut in the spring of 2011.
Personal life and public role
Behn attracted attention outside literature through his marriage to Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, with whom he had three children; the couple divorced in 2017. His relationship with the royal family made him a recurring figure in Norwegian public life and contributed to the interest surrounding his books and public statements. He was often interviewed about creativity, fame and modern private life.
He was commonly described in the Norwegian press as a Norwegian author and cultural personality, and his personal history—transparent and at times turbulent—became part of how readers and critics interpreted his work. The princess is frequently mentioned in accounts of his life: Princess Märtha Louise.
Controversies and later years
In late 2017 Behn publicly accused a well-known Hollywood actor of sexual assault, saying he had been groped at a nightclub after an event in 2007; the allegation added his voice to a larger international conversation about abuse and consent. The actor named in Behn's statement was Kevin Spacey, a disclosure that received wide media coverage in Norway and abroad.
Health, death and legacy
Behn struggled publicly with alcoholism and depression for many years, speaking in interviews about chronic loneliness and mental-health challenges. He died on 25 December 2019 at his home in Lommedalen. Authorities and family reported that he died by suicide. His death prompted national reflection on mental health, addiction and the pressures of public life.
Assessments of Behn's work vary. Some readers and critics praise the immediacy and emotional honesty of his prose, while others have been critical of its unevenness. Regardless, his combination of literary ambition and high public visibility left a lasting mark on contemporary Norwegian cultural debate.
Selected facts
- Born Ari Mikael Bjørshol in 1972; later known as Ari Behn.
- First major success: the 1999 short-story collection that sold widely in Norway.
- Married to Princess Märtha Louise from 2002 until 2017; father of three.
- Made a public allegation of sexual assault in 2017 against a prominent actor.
- Died in December 2019; his struggles with mental illness and addiction have shaped posthumous discussions of his life and work.