Kaci Kullmann Five succumbs to cancer
The Nobel committee leader’s funeral was held at Lommedalen Church on February 27
Photo: Astrid Carlsen (WMNO) / Wikimedia
Kaci Kullmann Five and other members of the committee at the announcement of the 2016 Nobel Peace Price at the Nobel Institute in Oslo.
Michael Sandelson & Charlotte Bryan
The Foreigner
Karin Cecilie “Kaci” Kullmann Five, the first female leader of Norway’s Conservative Party (H) and former government minister, died on February 19 at 65 years of age, after losing her battle with breast cancer.
Incumbent Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg took to Facebook to discuss her thoughts on Five’s life and death when she was informed of her passing. Talking of Five’s role as the party’s first female leader, Solberg said that she “represented a new generation.”
“[It was] a generation that put human rights, gender equality, and social issues higher on the agenda. She was a role model for many young girls, both within the Conservatives and externally.
“I was active in the Young Conservatives when Kaci was leader and had the pleasure of working with her in Parliament and within the party’s leadership. Kaci had marvelous energy. She was very knowledgeable and cared a lot for everyone around her,” the Prime Minister also remarked.
Five was involved in many issues over her career such as European cooperation and gender equality issues. She served as Minister of Trade and Shipping in Conservative Prime Minister Jan P. Syse’s Cabinet between 1989 and 1990 before leading the Conservative Party from 1991 to 1994.
In March 2015, she was appointed as new Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, taking over the post from Thorbjørn Jagland. She had been a member of the committee since 2003.
“Kaci Kullmann Five contributed greatly to the Norwegian and Swedish Nobel organizations through her representation on a number of boards and will be sorely missed. As chair of the Nobel Committee, she was engaged, inclusive, and solution-oriented. She combined professionalism with humor and personal warmth,” said Committee Vice-Chair Berit Reiss-Andersen and Secretary Olav Njølstad in a statement.
“With the passing of Kaci Kullmann Five, the committee has lost a wise and unifying leader, a dear colleague, and a good friend. Our thoughts go out to her husband Carsten O. Five, their children and grandchildren,” they added.
Among those who attended the funeral service were Prime Minister Erna Solberg; Jan Tore Sanner, Minister of Local Government and Modernization; Climate and Environment Minister Vidar Helgesen; Minister of Defense Ine Eriksen Søreide; Education and Research Minister Torbjørn Røe Isaksen; and Siv Jensen, Minister of Finance and leader of the bipartite coalition’s Progress Party (FrP).
This article was originally published on The Foreigner. To subscribe to The Foreigner, visit theforeigner.no.
It also appeared in the March 10, 2017, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
