Greta Thunberg is a Swedish environmental activist who rose to global prominence as a teenager for her bold, unwavering campaign against climate change. With her signature school strike that began outside the Swedish parliament in 2018, Greta quickly ignited a worldwide movement, “Fridays for Future,” inspiring millions of young people to demand urgent climate action from world leaders. Her no-nonsense style, stark speeches, and refusal to sugarcoat the harsh realities of the climate crisis have made her both a revered icon and a controversial figure on the world stage.
Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Greta’s passion for environmental issues was sparked at the age of eight when she first learned about climate change. Diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and selective mutism, Greta has described her condition as a “superpower” that helps her stay focused and determined. By the age of 15, she had already delivered powerful speeches at global platforms such as the United Nations Climate Action Summit and the European Parliament, often calling out leaders for their inaction in the face of ecological collapse.
Despite her young age, Greta has been nominated multiple times for the Nobel Peace Prize, named Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” in 2019, and featured in countless documentaries, books, and academic studies about youth activism and environmental policy. Her activism has transcended the streets, entering government halls, newsrooms, and classrooms around the globe. Greta is not just a face of the climate movement—she is its voice, conscience, and constant reminder that “our house is on fire,” and it’s time to act.
Personal Life
| Field |
Details |
| Original/Real Name |
Greta Tintin Eleonora Ernman Thunberg |
| Other/Nickname |
Greta |
| Profession/Occupation |
Environmental Activist |
| Birthplace |
Stockholm, Sweden |
| Nationality |
Swedish |
| Age |
22 years (as of 2025) |
| Date of Birth |
January 3, 2003 |
| Hometown |
Stockholm, Sweden |
| Caste/Religion |
Lutheran (Christianity) |
| Zodiac sign/Sun sign |
Capricorn |
| Current career status |
Active |
Physical Appearance
| Field |
Details |
| Height |
163 cm (5’4″) |
| Weight |
48 kg |
| Body Measurements |
Not Publicly Known |
| Hair Color |
Light Brown |
| Eye’s Color |
Blue |
Family Relatives & Siblings
| Field |
Details |
| Father’s name |
Svante Thunberg (actor and author) |
| Mother’s name |
Malena Ernman (opera singer) |
| Brother’s name |
N/A |
| Sister’s name |
Beata Thunberg |
Marital Status, Affairs, Boyfriends, Kids & Relationship
| Field |
Details |
| Boyfriend |
N/A |
| Dating |
N/A |
| Marital Status |
Unmarried |
| Spouse/Husband |
N/A |
| Son |
N/A |
| Daughter |
N/A |
Education Qualification and Schooling/College
| Field |
Details |
| School |
Franska Skolan, Stockholm |
| College/University |
Currently not enrolled in university |
| Educational Qualification |
Completed high school (2023) |
Controversies
- Greta has often faced backlash from political leaders and climate change deniers, who have criticized her for her age, speeches, and firm stance. Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro both publicly mocked her.
- Her candid speech at the UN in 2019, where she said “How dare you!” to world leaders, sparked both massive praise and intense criticism.
- In 2023, she was briefly detained by German police during a protest against the expansion of a coal mine in Lützerath, Germany.
Favorite Things and Likes & Dislikes
| Field |
Details |
| Favorite Food |
Plant-based/Vegan diet |
| Favorite Movie |
Not Publicly Known |
| Favorite Actor |
Not Publicly Known |
| Favorite Actress |
Not Publicly Known |
| Favorite Color |
Blue and Earth tones |
| Favorite Designer |
N/A |
| Favorite Destination |
Nature reserves and forests |
| Favorite Cafe |
Not Publicly Known |
| Favorite daily wear brand |
Sustainable clothing brands |
| Favorite Book |
“The Sixth Extinction” by Elizabeth Kolbert |
| Favorite Athlete |
Not Publicly Known |
Money/Net Worth
| Field |
Details |
| Salary |
Not Applicable |
| Net Worth |
Estimated $1 million (2025) from book royalties, donations, awards |
Contact Information
| Field |
Details |
| Official Website |
https://www.fridaysforfuture.org |
| E-Mail Address |
Not Publicly Available |
| Phone Number |
Not Publicly Available |
| House Address |
Stockholm, Sweden |
Social Media
| Platform |
Handle/Details |
| Wikipedia |
Greta Thunberg |
| Twitter |
@GretaThunberg |
| Facebook |
Official Greta Thunberg Page |
| Instagram |
@gretathunberg |
Personal Quote:
“I want you to act as if the house is on fire, because it is.”
Early Life and Career
Greta Thunberg was born into a creative family—her father Svante is an actor and her mother Malena is a well-known opera singer. At the age of 8, she was deeply affected by climate change documentaries shown at school, which led to her slipping into depression. Greta’s autism diagnosis helped her channel her passion and become extremely focused on environmental issues.
In 2018, at just 15, she started skipping school every Friday to protest outside the Swedish parliament, holding a sign that read “Skolstrejk för klimatet” (“School Strike for Climate”). This solitary act of defiance sparked a worldwide youth movement, “Fridays for Future.” She soon became a globally recognized figure, giving landmark speeches at the UN, EU, and World Economic Forum.
Her TED Talk went viral, and she has met with numerous world leaders, although she remains fiercely critical of inaction. Greta has also authored several books, including No One is Too Small to Make a Difference, and has been featured in the documentary I Am Greta.
Current Life/Events
As of 2025, Greta continues her activism globally, focusing on holding governments and corporations accountable. She has shifted her attention to policy-level lobbying, legal climate action, and intersectional justice, while still supporting youth-led protests. Greta remains a key speaker at climate summits and is working on a new book addressing the links between social justice and environmental sustainability.
Facts
- Greta was named Time’s Person of the Year in 2019—the youngest ever recipient.
- She travels mostly by train or sailboat to reduce her carbon footprint, famously crossing the Atlantic by yacht in 2019.
- Her great-grandfather was Nobel Prize–winning chemist Svante Arrhenius.
- She often donates award money to climate-related causes.
- She refuses to fly and eats a fully plant-based diet for environmental reasons.
- She has been nominated five times for the Nobel Peace Prize (2019–2023).
- Greta was featured on a postage stamp by Sweden in 2021.
- She has been invited to meet Pope Francis, who publicly praised her efforts.
- Greta’s little sister Beata is a singer and also advocates for youth mental health awareness.
- Despite her fame, she lives a modest lifestyle and has turned down commercial endorsements and personal profit from her activism.