Greta Thunberg, born January 3, 2003, is an environmental activist who has actively spoken out about the problems of climate change. She is famous for challenging world leaders to take immediate action for climate change mitigation. Thunberg gained recognition for her blunt and straightforward approach to tackling issues. Thunberg has spoken at several international gatherings, including the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2018 and the U.N. Climate Action Summit in 2019.
Fast Facts
Nickname:
N/A
Birth date:
January 3, 2003
Age:
21
Zodiac Sign:
Capricorn
Height:
4' 7"
Relationship Status:
Single
Background
Greta Tintin Eleonora Ernman Thunberg was born on January 3, 2003, in Stockholm, Sweden. Her parents are Svante Thunberg, an actor, and Malena Ernman, an opera singer. Thunberg attended a private school in Stockholm from 2010 to 2018. She completed 9th grade in 2019, with excellent grades.
Thunberg was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and selective mutism. People diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome focus deeply on one ideology or interest, and Thunberg’s focus became climate change. She first learned about the issue in 2011, when she was eight years old, and could not understand why it wasn’t taken more seriously. Within a few years, she changed her own habits, becoming a vegan and refusing to travel by airplane. She also convinced her parents to do the same and to reduce their carbon footprint.
Thunberg believes that humanity is facing an existential crisis because of global warming. She uses graphic analogies to emphasize her concerns and often speaks bluntly to business and political leaders about their failure to take concerted action. In August 2018, Thunberg took decisive action. She boycotted school and made a sign that read ‘School Strike For Climate,’ and calmly sat down outside the Swedish parliament. She felt this was necessary to gain the attention of politicians to take action to stop global warming. Swedish media captured Thunberg’s strike and the word spread. Shortly thereafter, thousands of students from around the world joined her #FridaysforFuture strikes – skipping school on Fridays to protest against climate change. In 2019, climate campaigners all over the world came together to coordinate the first Global Strike for Climate. It was a massive success; over 1.6 million people from 125 countries took part!
Thunberg has since gained global attention, giving rousing speeches across the world to the United Nations, politicians, and protesters. She has appeared in documentaries and has several books and articles written about her. She is a three-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Career timeline
She learns about climate change and global warming for the first time.
Thunberg is diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, which she sees as a turning point in her life.
Thunberg skips school to protest outside the Swedish parliament.
Fellow students and others join her at another protest, which gains media attention.
Thousands of students in 24 countries across the world take part in Friday school strikes as part of Thunberg’s #FridaysForFuture campaign.
She addresses the United Nations Climate Change Summit.
She gets her first of three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Why We Love Greta Thunberg
Her speeches
Thunberg gives bold and rousing speeches. Her no-holds-barred approach to speaking on issues of climate change underlines her bravery.
She is an inspiration
Thunberg’s courage and boldness, and willingness to stand up for what is right in the face of challenges is something we can all learn from. That she could achieve so much at a young age is even more inspiring.
She sees her condition as an advantage
Thunberg doesn’t see her Asperger’s syndrome, which affects people’s ability to interact socially, as a disadvantage. She calls it her ‘superpower’ and believes it gives her more clarity about life.
5 Surprising Facts
She fact-checks her speeches
Thunberg ensures all of her speeches are fact-checked by scientists to make sure they are factually accurate.
Inspired by Rosa Parks
Thunberg has named Rosa Parks, the civil rights activist, as one of her greatest inspirations.
‘Joan of Arc of climate change’
She is referred to as the ‘Joan of Arc of climate change’ in reference to the 15th-century French heroine.
She traveled on a boat for 15 days
Thunberg traveled for 15 days from Plymouth in the U.K. to New York on a solar-powered boat to attend a conference.
She grew her own vegetables
She was so dedicated to being a vegan that she grew her own vegetables.
Greta Thunberg FAQs
What is Greta Thunberg’s net worth?
Thunberg is reportedly worth about one million dollars.
How does Greta Thunberg get money?
Her parents provide financial support. She also gets money from donations and awards, which she donates to charity.
Does Greta Thunberg have any siblings?
Yes. She has a younger sister named Beata Ernman Thunberg.
Greta Thunberg’s birthday dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2025 | January 3 | Friday |
2026 | January 3 | Saturday |
2027 | January 3 | Sunday |
2028 | January 3 | Monday |
2029 | January 3 | Wednesday |