News of Norway, October 19, 2001
Kjell Magne Bondevik was born on 3 September 1947, in Molde in the County of Møre and Romsdal. He is married to Bjørg Bondevik (born Rasmussen), and has three children.
Bondevik is a theological candidate from Norway’s Free Faculty of Theology in 1975. In 1979 he was ordained as priest in the (Lutheran) Church of Norway.
Bondevik was Prime Minister 1997-2000, Minister of Foreign Affairs in Jan P. Syse’s government 1989-1990, Minister of Church and Education in Kåre Willoch’s government 1983-1986, also Prime Minister Willoch’s deputy 1985-1986, and state secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister during Lars Korvald’s government 1972-1973.
Bondevik is a member of the Storting (Parliament), for the County of Møre og Romsdal, since 1973, and was a deputy member 1969-1973. He was his party’s parliamentary leader 1981-1983, 1986-1989, 1993-1997, 1997 and 2000-2001. He was member of the Storting’s standing committee on foreign affairs 2000-2001, 1993-1997 and 1986-1989, the standig committee on defence affairs 1990-1993, the standing committee on finance 1977-1983 and the standing committee on church and education 1973-1977.
Bondevik was leader of the Christian Democratic Party 1983-1995, leader of the party’s youth organisation 1970-1973, and deputy leader there 1968-1970. In 1972-1973 he was a member of the municipal council and the school board of Nesodden in the County of Akershus.
Kjell Magne Bondevik has been a member of the board of the Norwegian Atlantic Committee.