Gunhild Stordalen Biography: Ethnicity, Age, Husband, Net Worth, Parents, Siblings, Height, Books, Awards, Nationality

Gunhild Stordalen is a Norwegian medical doctor and environmentalist who gained significant public attention through her efforts to reform the global food system.

She first became a prominent figure in the media following her marriage to a high-profile businessman, but she established her own identity as a leader in science-based advocacy.

By founding the EAT Foundation, she transitioned from a clinical background into a global platform where she coordinates with heads of state and international organizations to address the intersection of climate change, public health, and nutrition.

Her prominence grew as she utilized her personal health challenges to highlight the urgency of sustainable living, making her a frequent speaker at major international summits and a key voice in defining how the world produces and consumes food.

Profile

• Full name: Gunhild Anker Stordalen
• Date of Birth: January 15, 1979
• Age: 47 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of Birth: Oslo, Norway
• Nationality: Norwegian
• Profession: Medical Doctor, Environmentalist, and Executive Chair
• Height: 1.75 meters
• Weight: 58 kg
• Eye Color: Blue
• Hair Color: Blonde
• Parents: Hans Jakob Melhus and Elin Anker Melhus
• Siblings: Marit Melhus and one brother
• Spouse: Petter Stordalen (divorced)
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: Single
• Religion: Christian
• Ethnicity: Norwegian
• Net worth: $25 million

Early Life and Education

Gunhild Stordalen is now at the age of 46 and was born on January 15, 1979.

She spent her formative years in the rural village of Muggerud, located outside Kongsberg, Norway.

Her upbringing was shaped by the values of her parents, Hans Jakob Melhus, a civil engineer, and Elin Anker Melhus, a physician.

In this household, the family prioritized anti-materialistic views and environmental awareness, often engaging in rigorous discussions regarding global politics and social responsibility.

She was raised alongside her sister, Marit, and a younger brother in an environment that emphasized academics and civil service over luxury.

She attended local schools before pursuing a career in medicine.

She enrolled at the University of Oslo, where she completed her medical degree in 2007.

Following her initial clinical training, she remained at the same institution to focus on research, eventually earning a PhD in pathology and orthopedic surgery in 2010.

Her academic work during this period focused on the molecular mechanisms of fracture healing, but her focus shifted toward broader systemic health issues shortly after graduation.

Personal Life

The most publicized aspect of Gunhild Stordalen personal life was her relationship with the billionaire hotel mogul Petter Stordalen.

The two met in the mid-2000s and their relationship was a frequent subject of Norwegian media coverage due to their contrasting backgrounds.

They married in a lavish ceremony in Morocco in 2010.

During their marriage, they became a power couple in philanthropy, co-founding the Stordalen Foundation to fund climate and health projects.

In 2014, she was diagnosed with systemic sclerosis, a rare and life-threatening autoimmune disease.

She underwent experimental treatments, including stem cell transplants in the Netherlands, with her husband supporting her throughout the recovery process.

In November 2019, the couple announced their decision to divorce after nine years of marriage.

They stated that the separation was amicable and that they would continue to work together on their shared environmental initiatives.

Since the divorce, she has not remarried and does not have children.

She has remained open about her ongoing health journey, using her experiences to advocate for better integration of health and environmental policies.

Career

Gunhild Stordalen professional trajectory moved from clinical medicine to large-scale advocacy.

After completing her PhD, she realized that individual patient care could not solve the looming crises of climate change and malnutrition.

In 2013, she founded the EAT Foundation with the goal of using science to transform the global food system.

One of her most significant professional achievements was the initiation of the EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, and Health.

This commission brought together 37 world-leading scientists to establish the first global scientific targets for healthy diets and sustainable food production.

She has served in various high-level advisory roles, including as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Stewardship Board on Food Systems.

In 2020, she was appointed by the United Nations to lead Action Track 2 of the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, which focused on shifting the world toward sustainable consumption patterns.

Her work involves bridging the gap between scientific research and political action, often coordinating with corporate leaders to change supply chains.

Awards

• Petter Shareholder Award (2012)
• WWF Environmental Award of the Year (2014)
• The 100 Most Influential People in Gender Equality (2018)
• UN Foundation Global Leadership Award (2019)
• Fredrikke Prize (2020)

Net worth

Gunhild Stordalen has an estimated net worth of $25 million.

The majority of her wealth was acquired through her divorce settlement from Petter Stordalen, as well as her professional roles within international organizations and her foundation.

Social Media

• Instagram: @gunhild_stordalen
• X: @G_stordalen

Books

• Det store bildet (2018)