Norwegian cultural icon Rita Westvik passes away after cancer battle

Rita Westvik, a beloved figure in Norwegian culture and entertainment, passed away on Wednesday. Sæmund Fiskvik, a close family friend, confirmed that she died in Moss, with her daughter by her side. Westvik had recently been diagnosed with cancer.

Born on September 28, 1952, in Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag, Westvik first rose to prominence as a member of the folk-rock band Isenkram in the early 1970s. She played guitar and sang on the band’s only album, released in 1974.

Westvik later initiated and served as the first editor for RadiOrakel, a women’s radio station, from 1982 to 1984. She gained national fame when she hosted the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation’s (NRK) Saturday entertainment show, “Lørdagssirkuset,” in 1984 and 1985. During her time on the show, she conducted the first interview with Norwegian band A-ha and met celebrities such as Frida from Abba and Boy George.

Charlo Halvorsen, the head of NRK’s entertainment department, praised Westvik for her innovative approach to weekend entertainment in the 1980s with shows like “Lørdagssirkuset.” He described her as a creative force and a vibrant character who brought a new dynamic to Norwegian television.

In addition to her television career, Westvik also held several leadership roles at NRK Radio, including serving as the first channel director of NRK P3. Halvorsen remembered her as a caring and humorous leader.

After leaving NRK, Westvik transitioned into politics. She served as a political advisor in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health from 1993 to 1994 and in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 1996. She later worked for Sintef, a research organization, for ten years and also served as an innovation and communication advisor.