The Swedish presenter Petra Mede (54) is leading the Eurovision Song Contest from Malmö Arena for the third time. This time together with Hollywood actor Malin Åkerman (45).
For most Norwegians, Mede is perhaps best known for her role as Katja in the comedy series “Bonusfamilien”. In Sweden, she is a highly sought-after presenter and comedian.
Israel received a mixed reception from the audience during this year’s second Eurovision semi-final. Hear how the audience reacted in the hall here.
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A woman of many talents
It was in 2013 that Mede led the music competition alone and for the very first time. That time too, the final took place in Malmö Arena.
Together with former Eurovision winner Måns Zelmerlöw (37), the comedian led the program for the second time in 2016, after Sweden won the previous year with the song “Heroes”.
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Mede first broke through in Sweden as a stand-up comedian. Since then, she has been a recognized presenter and led, among other things, “Let’s Dance”, “Hjulet” and “Melodifestivalen”.
2016: Petra Mede led the singing competition together with Mans Zelmerlow in 2016. That time the final took place in Stockholm. Photo: Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP / NTB
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In addition to the presenter jobs, she has played in several films and TV series. Until 2020, when she was affected by covid-19 and ended up in hospital.
The 54-year-old was then forced to give up the role of Katja after four seasons.
Israel’s Eurovision hope Eden Golan is in tough weather when she takes the stage in Malmö. Video. Ørjan Ryland / Dagbladet
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Bedridden for nine months
Following the illness, Petra published her autobiography “Svindlande stunder i Blackeberg” and held the humor performance “50/50” – a solo performance that deals with life after turning 50.
In 2023, the comedian again had to give up work and cancel solo performances as a result of yet another health problem.
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Mede struggled with her back and had to undergo an operation that left her bedridden for nine months. She was called in sick, something she has only experienced once before, 30 years ago.
She told this recently in the talk show “Carina Bergfeldt” on SVT, writes Aftonbladet.
– This time I got really, really bad. Very urgent. So I had to cancel rub and stump. This time there was no way to pretend it was going to get better by itself. Now I’ve had an operation and I’m fine again, the 54-year-old told the talk show.
Cancels press conference
For a long time, Mede had doubts about the operation, but chose to carry it out anyway.
– But now I don’t have many years left, so now I really have to get to work. Then I thought “now I’ll take the chance and operate”. It worked out, she says.
The mood was somewhat strained when a Polish journalist asked a somewhat critical question to the Israeli artist. Then the Dutch participant reacts from the sideline. Video: Ørjan Ryland
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Became a mother at 52
Despite tough times with illness and back problems, the presenter has also shared good news.
At 52, Mede could reveal that she had become a mother for the second time, completely on her own, to little Paula.
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Petra was six months pregnant when she announced her pregnancy on the premiere of a new season of Let’s Dance. The stomach could no longer be hidden from the public.
“BONUS FAMILY”: Petra Mede played the role of Katja in four seasons of the comedy series, here with Vera Vitali, screenwriters Felix Herngren and Clara Herngren, actor Erik Johansson, screenwriter Moa Herngren and actor Fredrik Hallgren. Photo: Pontus Lundahl / TT / NTB
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To “Nyhetsmorgon” on TV4, the presenter could tell that there was no father in the picture. This was something she had to do on her own, as she does with so much else in life.
Interrupted performance
– Today there is so much technical help available, and I have made use of it. There is of course no guarantee of getting pregnant, but it worked for me, Mede told Svenska Dagbladet two years ago.
After a problem-free pregnancy, daughter Paula was born in June 2022.
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Holds the cards close to the chest
Petra became a mother for the first time at the age of 42 to Adeline (11). She had the daughter together with her former partner Mattias Günther. The couple separated when their daughter was two years old.
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Although life as a single mother of two was upheaval at first for the renowned presenter, her life is now exactly as Petra wants it. She is very reserved about her private life and her daughters, but has previously said that she enjoys being a mother.
PROGRAM LEADING DUO: Malin Akerman and Petra Mede guide the viewers through Saturday’s Eurovision final. Photo: Jessica Gow / TT News Agency / AFP / NTB
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And it also seems that she is enjoying being host of Eurovision. Then it remains to be seen whether it is the Norwegian twins Marcus and Martinus Gunnarsen (22) who will once again bring home the victory for Sweden, whether Gåte will take Norway’s first victory since Alexander Rybak, or whether a completely different nation will go all the way to the top.
You can watch the final on NRK 1 on Saturday 11 May at 21:00.
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