Anna Lisbeth Christina Palme (née Beck-Friis; 14 March 1931 – 18 October 2018) was a Swedish children's psychologist, UNICEF chairwoman and the wife of Swedish prime minister Olof Palme, until his assassination in 1986.

Biography

Early life and studies

Anna Lisbeth Christina Beck-Friis was born to civil engineer and baron Christian Beck-Friis and his wife Anna-Lisa Beck-Friis (née Bolling). After graduating from the Nya Elementarskolan för flickor (New Elementary School for Girls) in Stockholm in 1950, she studied at Stockholm University, graduating in the summer of 1955.

Career

Palme worked as a children's psychologist and was during a period of time employed at Stockholm County Council, and later at the social department for Stockholm county. She was the chairman of the Swedish UNICEF committee between 1987 and 1999, and in that role campaigned against the sexual exploitation of children. She became the international chairwoman for UNICEF between 1990 and 1991. Palme was one of the champions for the Children's convention (Barnkonventionen) which was later established. She was a member of the Organisation of African Unity committee of investigation into the Rwandan genocide which reported its findings in 2000.

Personal life

Lisbeth married politician Olof Palme on 9 June 1956. He later became Sweden's prime minister; firstly between 1969 and 1976, and again between 1982 and 1986. Together they had three sons: Joakim, Mårten and Mattias. The couple had been married for almost 30 years when Olof Palme was assassinated in 1986. Lisbeth Palme was an eyewitness to the murder of her husband on the night of 28 February 1986, and received a second shot which grazed her back as she bent over to assist her husband. During the trial, she pointed out Christer Pettersson as being the perpetrator of the killing. According to a detective present, she also made remarks that it was evident that Pettersson was an alcoholic. The comments were interpreted by some as if she had been informed that the suspect was an alcoholic and a drug addict. Several experts have, over the years, pointed towards the possibility that Lisbeth Palme may have identified the wrong man.

Death

Palme died on 18 October 2018, after suffering from an unspecified illness for some time. She was 87.