City Council pays tribute to former mayor Davíð Oddsson

Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir paid tribute to Davíð Oddsson at the start of today's City Council meeting. Davíð Oddsson served as mayor of Reykjavík from 1982-1991.

Davíð Oddsson was born in Reykjavík on Jan. 17, 1948. He graduated from Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík in 1970 and earned a law degree from the University of Iceland in 1976. He served on City Council for the Independence Party from 1974-1994. In 1982, he became mayor and held that office until July 1991.

During his time as mayor, Davíð also served as chair of the City Executive Council. During the 1970s, Davíð held various positions, including office manager of the Reykjavík Theater Company, parliamentary reporter for Morgunblaðið newspaper, office manager of the Reykjavík Insurance Association and later its executive director.

During his time in office, Davíð served on numerous committees, councils and boards for Reykjavík City.

During his time as mayor, Davíð advocated for building the city hall by Tjörnin pond and broke ground on the building in April 1986. He served as prime minister when he dedicated the building in a ceremonial event in April 1992. He also advocated for construction of the City Theater and laid the cornerstone for the building in 1986. In September 1989, Davíð dedicated the bridge connecting Snorrabraut and Bústaðavegur in a ceremonial event. He secured space for Samtökin 78 on Lindargata and appointed a committee to review the legal status of gay people and propose improvements.

In 1986, Reykjavík marked its 200th anniversary with memorable celebrations. President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir made an official visit to Reykjavík for the anniversary. Residents were offered entertainment and a large anniversary cake in the city center.

From the City Council, Davíð moved to parliament. He became chair of the Independence Party in 1991 and held that position until he left politics in 2005. During his parliamentary career, Davíð held various ministerial positions. He served as prime minister from 1991-2004, minister for Statistics Iceland from 1991-2005 and foreign minister from 2004-2005. He also served as fisheries minister and justice and ecclesiastical affairs minister for a period in 1999.

After Davíð left politics in 2005, he became governor of the Central Bank and held that position until 2009, when he became editor of Morgunblaðið, a role he held until his death.

He also pursued various writing projects throughout his career, leaving behind song lyrics, plays and short story collections, in addition to producing radio programs.

Davíð's surviving wife is Ástríður Thorarensen. Their son, Þorsteinn, and his wife, Heiðrún Geirsdóttir, have two daughters.

"On behalf of City Council, I thank Davíð for his contributions to Reykjavík City and express my condolences to his family," said Mayor Heiða Björg, who then asked the Council to observe a moment of silence for Davíð Oddsson by rising from their seats.