Gunilla Persson Biography: Age, Instagram, Net Worth, Height, Career, Fashion, Nationality

Gunilla Persson is a proud Swedish-American star who has made her mark as a model, TV personality, and singer.

From her early days in Sweden to her glamorous life in the United States, Gunilla’s journey is a tale of perseverance and bold decisions.

She became a sensation in the 1980s, modeling for top magazines, and later won hearts on reality TV shows like Svenska Hollywoodfruar.

Profile

• Full Name: Sonja Gunilla Persson
• Stage Name: Gunilla Persson
• Born: December 31, 1958
• Age: 66 years old
• Birthplace: Norrköping, Sweden
• Nationality: Swedish-American
• Occupation: Former Fashion Model, Television Personality, Singer, Actress, Journalist
• Height: 171 cm (5 feet 7 inches)
• Religion: Christianity
• Parents: Nils Erik Persson ,Iris Strid
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Stephen Linville (m. 1984–1990)
• Children: Erika Persson
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $1 million to $5 million

Early Life & Education

Gunilla was born on December 31, 1958, in Norrköping, Sweden, and grew up in the small towns of Ålsäter and Högsjö in Vingåker.

Her dad, Nils Erik Persson, was a textile engineer, and her mom, Iris Strid, raised her with love and support.

Gunilla is of Swedish descent and was raised in a Christian home, which instilled in her strong values. Not much is known about her siblings, but her close bond with her parents, especially her mom, has always been clear.

Gunilla studied journalism in Sweden before moving to the U.S., where she trained at Stella Adler’s acting school in New York City.

Career

Gunilla’s career began by chance when her boyfriend entered her in the 1983 Damernas Värld modeling contest, The Face of the 80s, without her knowing.

She didn’t win, but judge Eileen Ford signed her to Ford Models in New York, and she also worked with Elite Model Management. Gunilla modeled for big names like Germany’s Bazaar and La Perla lingerie, becoming a star in the 1980s.

She also had a small role in the soap opera Dallas while living in Texas. After working as a tour leader and radio presenter in Sweden, she moved into TV.

In 2010, she debuted on Svenska New York-fruar on TV3, followed by eight seasons of Svenska Hollywoodfruar by 2017.

She starred in her reality show, Gunilla Tycker Till, in 2015, and hosted The Gunilla Show in 2017. Gunilla tried her hand at singing, competing in Melodifestivalen 2024 with her song “I Won’t Shake (La La Gunilla),” which reached second place on Svensktoppen. She also appeared in Realitystjärnorna på godset (2014) and Biggest Loser (2018).

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @gunillapersson1

Personal Life

At 66, Gunilla has lived a whole life in California with her daughter, Erika, born in August 2002, and her mother, Iris, who often appears with her on Instagram.

She’s 171 cm tall (5 feet 7 inches) and carries herself with elegance. Gunilla was married to Stephen Linville from 1984 to 1990, whom she met in an acting class in Dallas.

She later dated hotel developer Patrick Ellis from 1990 to 1995 and had a brief romance with Prince Albert of Monaco in the late 1980s.

Now single, Gunilla focuses on her family and career. In 2018, she faced a tough moment when she was arrested in Palm Beach for stealing sunglasses, but she was released after posting bond.

A fire damaged her Pacific Palisades home in 2017, injuring her mother, but Gunilla’s strength kept her family together. Her Swedish-American spirit shines through as she balances fame and family.

Net Worth

Gunilla’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million.

Her money comes from her modeling days, reality TV shows, brand deals, and her 2024 music release.

Despite ups and downs, such as losing her New York apartment in 2015, Gunilla’s hard work has kept her financially strong, showcasing her Swedish grit.

Filmography

• Dallas (1980s, small role)
• Lumiere (1976, as La Suédoise)
• Attention les yeux! (1976, as Ulla)
• Svenska New York-fruar (2010, Reality TV)
• Svenska Hollywoodfruar (2010–2017, Reality TV)
• Realitystjärnorna på godset (2014, Reality TV)
• Gunilla Tycker Till (2015, Reality TV)
• The Gunilla Show (2017–2018, Talk Show Host)
• Biggest Loser (2018, Celebrity Contestant)