Carola Releases Her First Autobiography: “Jag är Carola”

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Swedish Eurovision icon Carola Häggkvist has opened up about her life, career, faith and relationships in her first autobiography, Jag är Carola (I Am Carola).

Released on September 8, coinciding with Carola’s 60th birthday, the 576-page book was written together with author Desirée Stattin Drakenberg and published by Bokförlaget Forum.

The autobiography covers Carola’s journey from her childhood in Norsborg and her breakthrough with “Främling” in Melodifestivalen 1983 to her international Eurovision success with “Fångad av en stormvind”, which won the Eurovision Song Contest for Sweden in 1991.

However, according to a review published by Dagens Nyheter, the book is about much more than Carola’s career. Her Christian faith is one of its central themes, with many of the events in her life viewed through her relationship with God.

One of the most important moments described in the book dates back to 1981, when Carola was around 15 years old. After her confirmation, a priest reportedly told her that God had a special purpose for her and that she would soon be used in front of the Swedish public. Carola describes this as her first experience of what she calls a supernatural calling.

The book also looks at the pressures Carola experienced as a young female artist, her relationships and her marriage to Norwegian preacher Runar Søgaard. She presents the autobiography as part of her journey towards taking control of her own life.

The publisher describes Jag är Carola as Carola’s opportunity to reclaim her story after decades of being one of Sweden’s most closely watched celebrities. The book includes diary entries and photographs, offering readers a more personal perspective on the woman behind the public image.

Interestingly for Eurovision fans, Carola’s career is not treated simply as a collection of musical achievements. Instead, her music, faith and personal journey are closely connected throughout the story.

The autobiography is also the first part of a planned series, with the first volume focusing on what is described as “Frigörelsen” — The Liberation.

Carola is continuing to celebrate the release with a Nordic tour alongside pianist Will Oaks, featuring both music and stories from her life. The tour includes more than 30 concerts across Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

For Eurovision fans who have followed Carola from her legendary 1991 victory to her later appearances in Melodifestivalen, Jag är Carola offers a chance to see one of Sweden’s most iconic Eurovision stars from a very different perspective.

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