Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Ari Behn is dead



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Ari Behn, the former husband of Princess Martha Louise of Norway, committed suicide earlier today at Lommedalen.  He was 47 years old.

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His death was confirmed by his manager, Geir Hakonsund.

“It is with great sadness in our hearts that we, the closest relatives of Ari Behn, must announce that he took his own life today. We ask for respect for our privacy in the time to come.”

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Ari Mikael Behn, a noted author and visual artist, was born on September 30, 1972 in Aarhus, Denmark.  He spent his early years in Denmark and England before his family moved to Norway when he was six years old.

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He was born with the surname Bjorshol, but changed it to Behn, his grandmother's maiden name.

The wedding took place at Nidaros  Cathedral on May 24, 2002.  They separated ed in 2016 and divorced a year later.

King Harald V and Queen Sonja released a statement regarding the death of thier former son-in-law: “It is with great sadness the Queen and I have received the message of Ari Behn’s passing. Ari has been an important part of our family for many years, and we carry warm, fond memories of him. We are grateful that we got to know him. We grieve that our grandchildren have now lost their beloved father – and have deep compassion for his parents and siblings, who have lost their beloved son and brother. We pray that Ari’s immediate family will be at ease during this painful time. ”

Martha Louise's younger brother, Crown Prince Haakon, and his wife, Crown Princess Mette Marit, also released a statement: “For us, Ari was a good friend, a dear family member and an amazing uncle, with whom we shared many of life’s small and big moments. It is with great sadness that we have received the message of his passing. We were all very fond of Ari. Our thoughts go especially to Maud, Leah, Emma, Princess Märtha Louise and Ari’s immediate family. ”

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Ari Behn and Princess Martha Louise have three daughters: Maud Angelica (2003), Leah Isadora (2005), and Emma Tallulah (2008).


Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband, Prince Daniel, also issued a statement." It is with great sadness that we have received the message of Ari Behn's passing. We will remember Ari as the warm, cordial and spiritual man he was. It was a privilege to get to know Ari. Our thoughts go to his daughters and family."
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Even after his divorce,  Behn maintained a good relationship with the king and queen.  "They are my children's grandparents and I am very fond of them," he said in an interview.


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