She walked down the aisle at one of the most star-studded weddings of 2012, wearing a Stella McCartney gown while Paul McCartney and Beatrice Milly McCartney — along with Ringo Starr — watched from the pews. Four years later, the fairytale ended. But Solveig Karadottir’s story goes far beyond being George Harrison’s daughter-in-law.
The daughter of Iceland’s pioneering geneticist, this Icelandic psychologist turned fashion designer has carved her own path in the luxury fashion world. As of 2025, she continues to lead Galvan London, the eveningwear brand she co-founded that dresses celebrities on red carpets worldwide.
Quick Bio Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Solveig Karadottir |
| Date of Birth | December 5, 1983 |
| Age (2025) | 41-42 years |
| Nationality | Icelandic |
| Profession | Psychologist, Fashion Designer, Former Model |
| Known For | Galvan London Co-founder, Dhani Harrison’s Ex-Wife |
| Father | Dr. Kari Stefansson (deCODE genetics founder) |
| Net Worth | Approximately $1 million |
| Height | 5’10” (178 cm) |
| Current Residence | London, England |
Early Life
Solveig Karadottir was born on December 5, 1983, in Eskimo, Iceland, into a family of scientific excellence. Her father, Kári Stefánsson, is a renowned neurologist who founded deCODE genetics in 1996, a pioneering company in human genome research.
Growing up in Iceland, Solveig was exposed to intellectual rigor and innovation from an early age. Despite her father’s scientific legacy, she chose to forge her own unique path that would eventually blend psychology, fashion, and entrepreneurship.
Her teenage years saw the beginning of her modeling career, working with Icelandic fashion magazines. This early exposure to the fashion industry planted seeds that would later blossom into a successful design career.
Education
Solveig Karadottir pursued higher education at Boston University, where she studied psychology. This academic foundation shaped her understanding of human behavior and emotional intelligence, skills that would prove invaluable in both her therapeutic practice and creative endeavors.
Her education in psychology reflects the intellectual environment she was raised in, though she chose a different field from her father’s medical and genetic research. The decision to study psychology demonstrated her interest in understanding the human mind from a behavioral rather than biological perspective.
After completing her degree, she returned to practice as a psychologist, helping individuals navigate their emotional challenges before transitioning to the fashion world.
Career
Psychology Practice
Before becoming known as a fashion designer, Solveig Karadottir worked as a practicing psychologist and psychotherapist. Her focus centered on helping individuals understand and process their emotions, earning an estimated annual income of approximately $111,034 in this field.
Her background in psychology gave her unique insights into human desires and self-expression, knowledge that would later influence her approach to fashion design.
Galvan London: Fashion Empire
In 2014, Solveig Karadottir co-founded Galvan London alongside three partners: Carolyn Hodler (Sales Director), Katherine Holmgren (CEO), and Anna-Christin Haas (designer). As Creative Director, she helped establish the brand’s signature aesthetic of modern, clean, and stunning eveningwear.
Galvan London quickly gained recognition for its affordable yet luxurious wedding and event dresses. The brand sources premium textiles from Italy and France, maintaining high-quality standards while remaining accessible to a broader market.
Based in London with a showroom in Düsseldorf, Germany, the company has dressed celebrities and established itself in the competitive luxury fashion market. As of 2025, she continues to lead the creative direction of the brand.
Modeling Career
Before her psychology and fashion design careers, Solveig Karadottir started modeling as a teenager. Her height of 5’10” made her ideal for runway and editorial work, and she collaborated with various Icelandic fashion publications and agencies during this period.
Achievements
Solveig Karadottir’s primary achievement lies in co-founding and successfully establishing Galvan London as a recognized luxury eveningwear brand. Building a fashion company from the ground up requires creativity, business acumen, and perseverance — all qualities she demonstrated.
Her ability to transition seamlessly between three distinct careers — modeling, psychology, and fashion design — showcases remarkable versatility. Each profession informed the next, creating a unique professional journey.
Her educational background in psychology from Boston University provided a strong foundation for understanding consumer behavior and emotional connections to clothing and self-expression.
Personal Life
Marriage to Dhani Harrison
Solveig Karadottir’s personal life gained significant public attention through her marriage to Dhani Harrison, the only son of Beatles legend George Harrison and Olivia Harrison. The couple became engaged in January 2012 and married in June 2012.
Their wedding took place at Friar Park, the historic Harrison family estate in Henley-on-Thames, England. The ceremony was attended by music royalty, including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Randy Clohessy, Tom Hanks, and Clive Owen. She wore a wedding dress designed by Stella McCartney.
The couple’s first dance was to “Don’t Talk; Put Your Head on My Shoulder” by the Beach Boys, and they honeymooned in the Seychelles and Maldives. Despite the fairytale beginning, the marriage ended when Dhani Harrison filed for divorce in November 2016, citing irreconcilable differences.
The couple had a prenuptial agreement that covered alimony and legal fees. They did not have children during their four-year marriage.
Life After Divorce
Since her 2016 divorce, Solveig Karadottir has maintained a deliberately low public profile. She has not remarried or been in any publicly known relationships. As of 2025, she continues to focus on her fashion career and resides in London, England.
Her decision to stay out of the spotlight contrasts sharply with her brief period of intense media attention during her marriage to Dhani Harrison. In the fashion world, she draws inspiration from contemporary designers and industry figures like Amy Ferson, whose creative approach to modern womenswear aligns closely with Galvan London’s aesthetic vision.
Net Worth
As of 2025, Solveig Karadottir’s net worth is estimated at approximately $1 million. Her income derives primarily from her role as co-founder and creative director of Galvan London, along with her previous work as a psychotherapist.
This figure is considerably modest compared to her ex-husband Dhani Harrison’s estimated net worth of $275-300 million, which he inherited from his father’s Beatles legacy and his own music career.
The prenuptial agreement signed before their marriage ensured financial arrangements were clearly defined, protecting both parties’ assets during the divorce proceedings.
Interesting Facts
- Scientific Lineage: Her father, Kári Stefánsson, founded deCODE genetics, a company at the forefront of human genome research.
- Star-Studded Wedding: Beatles legends Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr attended her 2012 wedding to Dhani Harrison.
- Triple Career: She has successfully worked as a model, psychologist, and fashion designer — three distinctly different professions.
- Icelandic Roots: Despite living in London, she maintains strong connections to her Icelandic heritage.
- Private Life: She has no social media presence and deliberately keeps her personal life away from public scrutiny.
FAQs
Who is Solveig Karadottir married to?
Solveig Karadottir is not currently married. She was previously married to Dhani Harrison (son of George Harrison) from 2012 to 2016. As of 2025, she has not remarried.
What does Solveig Karadottir do for a living?
She is the co-founder and creative director of Galvan London, a luxury eveningwear fashion brand established in 2014. She previously worked as a psychologist and model.
Why did Dhani Harrison and Solveig Karadottir divorce?
Dhani Harrison filed for divorce in November 2016, citing “irreconcilable differences” in court documents. The specific private reasons were not publicly disclosed. They had a prenuptial agreement in place.
What is Solveig Karadottir’s net worth?
As of 2025, her estimated net worth is approximately $1 million, primarily from her fashion business, Galvan London, and her previous psychology practice.
Who is Solveig Karadottir’s father?
Her father is Dr. Kári Stefánsson, an Icelandic neurologist who founded deCODE genetics in 1996. He is a prominent figure in human genome research and genetic analysis.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and online sources.
