Björk Guðmundsdóttir, born November 21, 1965, is a singer, songwriter, composer, record producer, and actress from Iceland. She has developed an eclectic musical style that draws on influences and genres such as electronic, pop, jazz, experimental, trip-hop, alternative, classical, and avant-garde during her four-decade career. Björk began her musical career at the age of 11 and rose to prominence as the lead singer of the alternative rock band, the Sugarcubes. Following the band’s dissolution in 1992, Björk pursued a solo career, rising to prominence with albums such as “Debut” in 1993, “Post” in 1995, and “Homogenic” in 1997, while collaborating with a variety of artists and experimenting with a variety of multimedia projects. We are here to help you celebrate this legend’s special day right here.
Fast Facts
Full Name:
Björk Guðmundsdóttir
Birth date:
November 21, 1965
Age:
58 years, 5 months
Zodiac Sign:
Scorpio
Height:
5' 4"
Relationship Status:
Single
Net Worth:
$45.0 million
Background
Björk was born in Reykjavik, Iceland. Her mother, Hildur Rúna Hauksdóttir, was an activist who opposed the construction of Iceland’s Kárahnjkar Hydropower Plant. Guðmundsdóttir Gunnarsson, a union leader and electrician, is her father. Björk’s parents divorced when she was a child and she lived with her mother. Björk enrolled in Reykjavik’s Barnamskskóli at the age of six, where she studied classical piano and flute. Following a school recital in which Björk performed Tina Charles’s 1976 hit ‘I Love to Love,’ her teachers sent a recording of her singing the song to Iceland’s only radio station at the time, the R.V. radio station. After hearing the recording, a representative of the Fálkinn record label approached Björk and offered her a recording contract. “Björk,” her debut album, was released in Iceland in December 1977 when she was 11 years old.Björk formed the all-girl punk band “Spit and Snot” in her teens, following the spread of punk rock music in Iceland. She formed “Exodus,” a jazz fusion group, in 1980. Björk graduated from music school and collaborated with another group, “JAM80.” “Tappi Tkarrass” was formed in 1982 by her and bassist Jakob Magnússon, and the E.P. “Biti fast viti” was released in August 1982. “Miranda,” their debut album, was released in December 1983. The group was featured in the documentary “Rokk Reykjavik,” with Björk on the V.H.S. release’s cover. Björk left the band and released her debut solo album, “Debut,” which earned her two Brit Awards, one for Best International Female and one for Best International Newcomer. She collaborated with David Arnold on the theme of the 1993 film “The Young Americans.”In 2004, Björk released “Medúlla,” her fourth studio album, and it debuted at number 14 in the United States. Björk released a previously unreleased song called ‘Trance’ as the backing track for a short film directed by Nick Knight on December 7, 2010. “Bastards,” her 2012 remix album, featured remixes by Death Grips and Omar Souleyman. During the summer of 2018, Björk embarked on the brief Utopia Tour, performing at several European festivals. “Cornucopia,” a new concert production centered on the album, was announced by Björk in November 2018. “Cornucopia” premiered in May 2019 at New York’s newly built The Shed and was described as Björk’s most elaborately staged concert to date. Her stay in New York began in May 2019 and she traveled to Mexico and Europe for additional dates.Björk will next be seen in “The Northman,” Robert Eggers’ upcoming feature film, co-written with Sjón alongside her daughter Sadóra Bjarkardóttir Barney in her debut film role. Björk stated in an interview with ‘The Mercury News’ published on January 19, 2022, that she was wrapping up work on her upcoming tenth studio album, which she expected to be released in the summer of 2022.
Career timeline
Björk's self-titled album "Björk" is released in Iceland in December, when she is 11 years old.
Björk's band "Tappi Tkarrass" is formed by her and bassist Jakob Magnússon, and in August, they release the EP "Biti fast viti.
Björk releases her debut studio album "Debut" in July; this is Björk's first recording following the dissolution of her previous band, the Sugarcubes.
Björk's fifth studio album "Medúlla" is released on August 30 by One Little Independent Records in the U.K. and Elektra Entertainment in the U.S.
Björk embarks on her eighth concert tour, which is centered around her critically acclaimed album, "Vulnicura" that chronicles her breakup with American contemporary artist Matthew Barney.
Björk's ninth studio album, "Utopia," is released on November 24, primarily produced by Björk and Venezuelan electronic record producer Arca.
Björk FAQs
What is Björk's most famous song?
Björk has made many great songs, but her song ‘Hyperballad’ is the most famous due to its soaring chorus, making it one of the most life-affirming moments in her discography, and the arrangement, which shifts from ambient electronics to cinematic strings, is flawless.
Did Björk meet Sir David Attenborough?
Björk and Attenborough, the broadcaster and naturalist, have long admired each other’s work, and they discussed their mutual love of music and the natural world in the documentary “When Björk Met Attenborough.”
Does Björk have kids?
Björk has two children: Sindri Eldon órsson, 35, from her previous marriage to Þór Eldon, and Sadóra Bjarkardóttir Barney, 19, from her marriage to American artist Matthew Barney.
5 Surprising Facts
-
Her name has a meaning
Björk's name means ‘birch-tree’ in Icelandic and is pronounced “Beyerk” and not “Bee-york,” which is the common mispronunciation.
-
She had over 30 successful songs
Over thirty of Björk's singles charted in the Top 40 around the world, including 22 Top 40 hits in the U.K., and her record sales are estimated to be between 20 and 40 million worldwide.
-
She recorded an album in a cave
Björk recorded her vocals for "Cover Me" in a bat-infested cave in Nassau, Bahamas.
-
She released a musical 3.D. album
In 2011, Björk released the unusual album “Biophilia,” which was in 3.D., making her the only artist to release a 3.D. scientific musical album.
-
She is a talented actress
Björk won Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000 for her incredible performance in "Dancer in the Dark.
Why We Love Björk
-
She loves to collaborate and innovate
Björk's ongoing search for the new is motivated by a genuine curiosity and excitement for innovation and ideas, and it frequently emerges from collaboration with others. She has collaborated with a wide range of people, far beyond the illustrious directors of her music videos.
-
She is creative and inspiring
Björk's collection of music videos is astounding. They dispel the myth that a video is merely a vehicle for better selling a song and delve deeper into the ideas and musicality that shape the tracks. Her distinct styles and sounds have influenced generations of artists across a wide range of genres.
-
She is passionate about fashion
Björk is one of music's most expressive figures, and much of that expression comes through her endlessly exhilarating fashion adventures. She helped launch Alexander McQueen's career by wearing one of his fantastical creations on the cover of her 1997 album "Homogenic.
Björk’s birthday dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | November 21 | Monday |
| 2023 | November 21 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | November 21 | Thursday |
| 2025 | November 21 | Friday |
| 2026 | November 21 | Saturday |
