Eliza Reid is a bestselling 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. Eliza’s first book, Secrets of the Sprakkar: Iceland’s Extraordinary Women and How They Are Changing the World, was an instant bestseller in Canada and Iceland, a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Pick, and translated into numerous languages. Her first novel, an Iceland-set mystery called Death of a Diplomat (Death on the Island in the U.S.), will be published in spring 2025. 

From 2016 to 2024, Eliza served in the unofficial role of First Lady while her husband was President of Iceland, during which time she acted as patron of numerous organizations and was named a United Nations Special Ambassador for Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals. A memoir of her time in the role is set for publication in 2026. 

Passionate about inclusion, belonging, and equality, she wielded her influence through poignant op-eds, a compelling TEDx talk, and dozens of keynote addresses to audiences of hundreds around the world, including presidents and royalty. In addition to public speaking, Eliza Reid is an experienced moderator and has interviewed celebrities, including politicians and other world leaders such as Hillary Rodham Clinton, Ashley Judd and internationally-acclaimed authors Louise Penny and Anthony Horowitz. Her advocacy in the field of gender equality has been praised by U.S. President Joe Biden, Canadian Governor General Mary Simon, and numerous others. She has also received awards 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.