Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir

This is an Icelandic name. The last name is patronymic, not a family name; this person is referred to by the given name Þórdís.

Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir (born 4 November 1987) is an Icelandic lawyer^[1] and politician of the Independence Party. She most recently served as the minister of foreign affairs in 2024, having previously held the portfolio from 2021 to 2023. She also served as finance minister from 2023 to 2024 and tourism and industry minister from 2017 to 2021. She is currently Special Envoy of Council of Europe Secretary General on the situation of children of Ukraine appointed

Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir
Þórdís in 2024
Minister for Foreign Affairs
In office 9 April 2024 – 21 December 2024
Prime Minister	Bjarni Benediktsson
Preceded by	Bjarni Benediktsson
Succeeded by	Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir
In office 28 November 2021 – 14 October 2023
Prime Minister	Katrín Jakobsdóttir
Preceded by	Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson
Succeeded by	Bjarni Benediktsson
Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs
In office 14 October 2023 – 9 April 2024
Prime Minister	Katrín Jakobsdóttir
Preceded by	Bjarni Benediktsson
Succeeded by	Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Innovation
In office 11 January 2017 – 28 November 2021
Prime Minister	Bjarni Benediktsson Katrín Jakobsdóttir
Preceded by	Ragnheiður Elín Árnadóttir (Minister of Industry and Commerce)
Succeeded by	Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir (Minister of Science, Industry and Innovation)
President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe
In office 24 November 2022 – 17 May 2023
Preceded by	Simon Coveney
Succeeded by	Edgars Rinkēvičs
Minister of Justice
In office 14 March 2019 – 5 September 2019
Prime Minister	Katrín Jakobsdóttir
Preceded by	Sigríður Á. Andersen
Succeeded by	Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir
Member of the Althing
Incumbent
Assumed office 29 October 2016
Constituency	Northwest (2016–2024) Southwest (2024–)
Personal details
Born	(1987-11-04) 4 November 1987 (age 37) Akranes, Iceland
Political party	Independence Party
Spouse	Hjalti Sigvaldason Mogensen
Children	2
Alma mater	Reykjavík University

Political career

Þórdís has been a member of the Althing (Iceland's parliament) for the Northwest Constituency since 2016, as a representative of the Independence Party. From 2018 to 2025, she was the party's vice-chair.^[2] At the 2025 party convention, she was succeeded by Jens Garðar Helgason.^[3]

Þórdís has previously held the positions of Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Innovation,^[1] and Minister of Justice.^[4] At the age of 29, she became the youngest woman to become an Icelandic Minister.^[5]

During her time as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Þórdís held the rotating chairmanship of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers from November 2022 to May 2023.^[6] In July 2023, she announced that Iceland would suspend its embassy in Moscow due to not meeting the priorities of the country's foreign service in its current state. She added that the suspension did not mean they would be cutting diplomatic relations with Russia.^[7]

On 14 October 2023, she was appointed Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs in a minor reshuffle following Bjarni Benediktsson's resignation.^[8]

On 9 April 2024, she was reappointed as Minister for Foreign Affairs after Bjarni Benediktsson succeeded Katrín Jakobsdóttir when the latter decided to run in the 2024 presidential election.^[9]

She and her Nordic counterparts signed a joint letter in late October condemning Israel's planned bill that would seek to ban the UNRWA from operating in the country and in effect the Palestinian areas. Furthermore, they urged the Knesset to reconsider passing the bill.^[10]

Recognition

In 2023 Þórdís received the Cross of Good Neighbourhood from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The distinction is awarded by the Belarusian United Transitional Cabinet to outstanding individuals who have significantly helped the cause of Belarusians.^[11]