Princess Märtha Louise of Norway has spoken candidly about the heartbreak she experienced following the death of her ex-husband, author Ari Behn. Although she is now married to spiritual guide Shaman Durek Verrett, the royal continues to openly reflect on the profound impact of Ari’s passing.
The princess and Ari Behn married in 2002 and had three daughters together: Maud, Leah, and Emma. Ari, who remained a private citizen rather than taking on a royal title, and Märtha Louise divorced in 2017 after announcing their separation the year before.
Ari had spoken publicly about his mental health struggles, revealing in a 2009 interview that he suffered from chronic depression. Tragically, on December 25, 2019, he died by suicide.
A Personal and Painful Journey
Appearing on the Who’s Your Daddy podcast with Sebastian Solberg, Princess Märtha Louise opened up about the emotional toll of Ari’s death, describing the immediate aftermath as physically and mentally overwhelming.
“I didn’t realise it was so physically demanding,” she shared. “I felt like I’d been running a marathon every day, and at the same time, I couldn’t sleep, eat, or anything like that. I was exhausted and in a kind of brain fog.”
Determined to support her daughters through their grief, the princess said she held herself together for their sake. But once she saw signs of her children beginning to heal, her own emotions came to the surface.
“After seeing the children start to get back on their feet, after six months, I went into a downward spiral. Really depressed,” she said.
‘Completely Devastated’
Märtha Louise admitted that the weight of her grief eventually became all-consuming. “I was completely devastated. I wasn’t able to get out of bed,” she revealed.
Her vulnerability and honesty offer a rare and moving glimpse into the emotional realities of grief, particularly when navigating personal loss under the public eye. Her openness also contributes to ongoing conversations about mental health and healing after trauma.
