Birgitta Haukdal
An Icelandic pop voice who carried her nation's hopes onto the Eurovision stage, tying for eighth with a heartfelt performance.
Born 1979 (age 47)·Icelandic singer·Birthday: July 28·Generation X
Biography
Born in 1979, Birgitta Haukdal first captured Icelandic attention as the lead singer of the pop group Írafár, her clear vocals and stage presence making her a domestic favorite. Her career pivoted to a solo chapter when she was selected to represent Iceland at the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest in Riga. Performing the ballad 'Open Your Heart,' she delivered a poised performance that resonated across Europe, ultimately tying for eighth place—a solid finish that cemented her status in Iceland's music scene. Beyond the contest, she has maintained a steady musical output, exploring pop and folk influences, and remains a recognizable figure in her country's cultural landscape, often appearing as a television host and continuing to record new music.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Birgitta was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Birgitta Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Birgitta's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 with the song 'Open Your Heart'.
- Tied for eighth place in the 2003 Eurovision final, earning 81 points.
- Gained initial fame as the lead singer of the Icelandic pop band Írafár.
Did You Know?
She is sometimes known mononymously simply as Birgitta.
Her full name is Birgitta Haukdal Brynjarsdóttir, following the Icelandic patronymic naming tradition.
She has served as a host for the Icelandic music competition 'Söngvakeppnin,' which selects the Eurovision entry.
“The song is a living thing; it changes every time you sing it.”
