Sten Sture Andersson (20 April 1923 – 16 September 2006) was a Swedish Social Democratic politician. He served as Minister for Social Affairs from 1982 to 1985 and as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1985 to 1991. He was also President of the Nordic Council in 1994.
Biography
Andersson was born into a working-class family in the Södermalm district of Stockholm. When he was two-three years old, his carpenter-working father took the opportunity to build a house in Enskede for his family, a house where Sten would live for most of his whole life. He started working as a mailman in 1940 while attending evening gymnasium courses, and received his students' degree in 1944. Andersson then began studying economics and political science at Stockholm University College, but did not graduate. In 1942 Andersson joined the Swedish Social Democratic Youth League, of which he chaired the local chapter from 1945 to 1948.
Andersson was party secretary of the Social Democratic Party from 1962 until 1982, and a member of the Riksdag from 1966 to 1994 (of the First Chamber until 1970). Between 1982 and 1985 he was Minister of Social Affairs, and between 1985 and 1991 Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Personal life
Andersson was married twice, first to Eivor Atling (1930–1970) in 1950. After her death in 1970, he married Britta Holmberg (1941–). He had three children with Atling, and three with Holmberg.
Honours and awards
National honours and awards
- Illis quorum, 1995
Foreign honours and awards
- 50px Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry, 13 January 1987
- 50px Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, 8 April 1991
- 50px Star of Jerusalem of the Order of Jerusalem, 2010 (posthumously)