Princess Martha Louise of Norway & Ari Behn
An amicable royal divorce that ended in heartbreak when a father took his own life.
Key Facts
What Happened
Princess Martha Louise, eldest child of King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway, married author Ari Behn in 2002 in a ceremony at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. Behn, a celebrated novelist and playwright, was known for his charisma and creative intensity. The couple had three daughters: Maud Angelica (born 2003), Leah Isadora (born 2005), and Emma Tallulah (born 2008).
After 14 years of marriage, the couple announced their separation in August 2016. In a joint statement, Princess Martha Louise said, 'We have, like so many others, grown apart from one another, to places we no longer meet like we did before.' The Norwegian Royal Court described the separation as amicable, and the couple agreed to share joint custody of their daughters. The divorce was finalized in 2017.
The years following the divorce were difficult for Behn. He had been open about his struggles with depression since at least 2009. In 2017, Behn publicly accused actor Kevin Spacey of groping him at a Nobel Peace Prize concert in 2007, making him one of the early voices in the broader reckoning with sexual harassment. On Christmas Day 2019, at age 47, Ari Behn died by suicide at his home in Norway.
The tragedy devastated the Norwegian royal family. Princess Martha Louise said she was 'completely devastated' and spoke publicly about falling into a 'pit of depression' herself. Their daughter Maud Angelica gave a powerful eulogy at her father's funeral that was widely praised. The case serves as a stark reminder that divorce, even when amicable, can have profound and sometimes fatal consequences for mental health.
Legal Breakdown: Mental health and post-divorce tragedy
Amicable Divorce Does Not Mean Painless
The Martha Louise-Behn divorce was, by all accounts, handled with grace and mutual respect. Yet the emotional aftermath was devastating for Behn. Legal professionals and mental health advocates increasingly emphasize that even the most civilized divorce proceedings can mask deep psychological distress. Courts and attorneys should consider mandating mental health check-ins during and after proceedings.
Joint Custody and Co-Parenting After Loss
The couple's joint custody arrangement was working well before Behn's death. After his suicide, the children's care fell entirely to Martha Louise and the extended royal family. This tragic outcome underscores the importance of contingency planning in custody agreements -- what happens if one parent becomes incapacitated or dies.
Public Divorce and Private Suffering
As a public figure, Behn's struggles played out under media scrutiny. The pressure of being a 'former royal husband' with a public identity crisis contributed to his mental health decline. Anyone going through a high-profile divorce should proactively seek mental health support, regardless of how 'amicable' the proceedings appear.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Even amicable divorces can trigger severe depression -- prioritize mental health support for both parties.
- →Include contingency provisions in custody agreements for incapacitation or death of either parent.
- →Check in on your ex-spouse's wellbeing, especially during holidays and anniversaries -- these are high-risk periods.
- →If you or someone you know is struggling after divorce, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988).
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.