Eliza Reid is a writer, public speaker, gender equality advocate, cofounder of the acclaimed Iceland Writers Retreat and former first lady of Iceland. She was born and raised in Canada but has lived in Iceland for over twenty years. She is the author of three books, all of which has been instants bestsellers in Canada and Iceland: The First Lady Next Door: A Memoir of Iceland, Identity, and Unexpected Adventure (2026), Secrets of the Sprakkar: Iceland’s Extraordinary Women and How They Are Changing the World (2022), and the Iceland-set mystery Death on the Island (Death of a Diplomat in the UK) (2025), which was also an instant USA Today bestseller and is in development as a television series.
From 2016 to 2024, Eliza served in the unofficial role of First Lady while her husband was President of Iceland, during which time she served as patron of numerous organizations and was named a United Nations Special Ambassador for Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals. She continues to speak at conferences and events around the world, delivering inspiring keynotes on topics relating to gender equality, how to make an impact when you’re not in charge, and storytelling for social change.
Eliza’s advocacy in the field of gender equality has been praised by former U.S. President Joe Biden, former Canadian Governor General Mary Simon, and numerous others. She has also been honoured with numerous awards, including from the Better World Fund, Meet in Reykjavík, and the Institute for South Asian Women.
Eliza has degrees from the University of Toronto (Trinity College) and Oxford University (St. Antony’s College). She lives in the outskirts of Reykjavík with her husband and four children.
Prior to serving as first lady, Eliza was a frequent commentator on Icelandic current affairs for foreign media. She is a member of the Association of Women Business Leaders in Iceland (FKA) and until serving as first lady was a member of the Canadian branch of the Society of American Travel Writers. She works with Business Iceland on projects to promote Icelandic exports and the country as a destination.
As first lady, Eliza is patron of several organizations in Iceland, including the Alzheimer’s Society, the Iceland Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Icelandic Culinary Team, Pieta House (for suicide prevention), and the United Nations Association of Iceland. She is a Goodwill Ambassador for SOS Children’s Villages Iceland. In 2017, Eliza was named United Nations Special Ambassador for Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Eliza has an honours bachelor of arts degree in international relations from Trinity College, University of Toronto, where she held the position of Head of College in her final year. She also has a master of studies degree in modern history from St. Antony’s College, Oxford University. She speaks Icelandic and French, in addition to her first language. Eliza has four children and an adult step-daughter.
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