In a shocking revelation, Ásthildur Lóa Thórsdóttir, Iceland's Minister for Children, announced her resignation after confessing to having had a child with a teenager over 30 years ago. In an interview, Thórsdóttir disclosed that she began a relationship with a 15-year-old boy named Eirík Ásmundsson when she was 22 years old and working as a counselor at a religious group he attended. The couple welcomed a son when Thórsdóttir was 23, and Ásmundsson was 16.

“I reflect on the changes that have occurred over these years and acknowledge I would handle things differently today,” the 58-year-old minister stated in an interview with Icelandic media. The scandal drew attention after it was broken by Icelandic news agency RUV, leading Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir to label it as “a serious matter.” While she maintained that she wouldn’t delve into specifics out of respect for the individuals involved, Frostadóttir confirmed she had received news about the situation just before Thórsdóttir's resignation.

The nature of their relationship remained private at first, although Ásmundsson attended the birth of their child. Reports indicate strain on the relationship escalated when Thórsdóttir entered into a new marriage, as Ásmundsson sought legal rights to be present in his child's life. Despite having initially provided for the child, documents suggested Thórsdóttir later denied Ásmundsson's requests for parental access while continuing to receive child support payments from him for almost two decades.

The mainstream media backlash intensified after a relative of Ásmundsson made inquiries to the prime minister regarding the minister’s past, prompting Frostadóttir to seek further details. "I find it regrettable that this person felt the need to reach out about a government minister," Thórsdóttir expressed in her interview, indicating her distress over the situation's public framing.

While the legal age of consent in Iceland stands at 15, laws prohibit sexual relationships with individuals under the age of 18 by educators or mentors. The consequences for such actions may result in a three-year prison term. Notably, despite stepping down from her ministerial roles, Thórsdóttir has stated she has no intention of resigning from her position in parliament, leading to further discussion on the responsibilities of public officials regarding past actions.