Greta Tintin Eleonora Ernman Thunberg was born on January 3, 2003, in Stockholm, Sweden. She grew up in an artistic and politically active family; her mother, Malena Ernman, is a renowned opera singer, and her father, Svante Thunberg, is an actor. Greta’s exposure to environmental issues began at a young age, and by the time she was eight, she had become aware of the climate crisis.
She inspired her family to adopt more environmentally friendly habits, such as reducing their carbon footprint and living more sustainably. Greta rose to global prominence in 2018 when she started protesting outside the Swedish Parliament, skipping school every Friday to demand stronger climate policies, a movement that inspired the global “Fridays for Future” climate strikes. Her straightforward and candid speeches at international forums, including United Nations summits, cemented her as a leading voice in climate activism. Greta’s activism is fueled by her unique perspective and communication style, which is often described as direct and uncompromising.
Greta Thunberg’s age, health, and neurodiversity
As of 2025, Greta Thunberg is 22 years old. She has been open about her diagnosis of Asperger syndrome, a form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), alongside obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and selective mutism. Greta has referred to her Asperger’s as a “superpower,” crediting it with enabling her to focus intensely on climate issues and speak truthfully about the crisis without distraction. Her diagnosis was made public by her mother to raise awareness and help other families dealing with similar challenges. Greta’s openness has contributed significantly to autism rights advocacy, with many recognizing her as an influential figure who demonstrates how neurodiversity can be a strength. She has highlighted how many members of the Fridays for Future movement are similarly neurodiverse, fostering inclusivity and inspiring communities worldwide.
Financial aspects and net worth
Despite her widespread fame, Greta Thunberg maintains a modest financial profile consistent with her principles of activism and environmental stewardship. Her net worth as of 2025 is estimated to be between $1 million and $2 million. Income sources include book royalties from works like “No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference” and “The Climate Book,” as well as earnings from speaking engagements at major international conferences, including United Nations climate summits and various governmental forums. However, Greta does not personally profit from these engagements; instead, she donates proceeds to charitable and environmental causes globally. Notably, she donated the €1 million prize from the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity to organizations such as Fridays for Future Brazil and the Stop Ecocide Foundation. Her financial transparency and dedication to channeling income to activism-related charities reflect her commitment to her cause rather than personal financial gain.
Greenpeace Flotilla and Maritime Activism
In mid-2025, Greta Thunberg’s participation in the Global Sumud Flotilla marked a significant moment that intertwined her longstanding environmental activism with a broader commitment to humanitarian causes. The flotilla was organized as an international humanitarian and environmental mission aimed at delivering immediate relief supplies to the Gaza Strip. The persistent blockade and ongoing conflict in the region had exacerbated a dire humanitarian crisis, marked by widespread shortages of food, clean water, medicine, and essential goods. With over 40 vessels participating, the flotilla carried crucial aid including food provisions, potable water, medical supplies, baby formula, and other necessities critical for civilian survival. By joining this flotilla, Greta expanded her activism beyond climate and environmental concerns, asserting a powerful stance connecting the urgent need for human rights and peace alongside ecological justice.
The Global Sumud Flotilla sailed from various ports throughout the Mediterranean Sea, including significant departure points in Sicily, Italy. It was designed to draw international attention to the humanitarian plight of the Gazan population, calling for the lifting of blockades and an end to midnight raids and aerial attacks that had severely disrupted everyday life. The mission emphasized the principle that humanitarian aid must be delivered impartially and uninterrupted to civilians regardless of geopolitical complexities. Greta’s involvement attracted unprecedented media spotlight, given her high-profile status as a global climate advocate. Her presence symbolized a fusion of disparate but interrelated causes—climate change, environmental destruction, and human suffering caused by armed conflict and political repression—inviting international audiences to examine their interconnectedness.
The voyage itself was fraught with tension and anticipation, as the flotilla passed through contested maritime areas close to Israel’s declared territorial waters. Israeli naval forces intercepted the flotilla, consistent with prior enforcement of the naval blockade intended to regulate the inflow of goods and materials into Gaza. The interception led to the boarding and subsequent detention of activists onboard, including Greta Thunberg. Reports indicated that those detained were taken to facilities where conditions such as overcrowding, exposure to bedbugs, inadequate medical care, and prolonged periods of sitting on hard surfaces were documented. These conditions prompted outcry from international human rights and humanitarian organizations, demanding immediate improvements to detainees’ treatment and unhindered access by the Red Cross and other agencies.
Despite the hardships faced during detention, Greta maintained her composure and steadfast commitment to the flotilla’s mission. She publicly called for peace, humanitarian access, and the urgent need to address both the immediate crisis and the root causes underlying the long-standing conflict in the Palestinian territories. Greta’s advocacy underscored the notion that climate justice and social justice must be approached in tandem, framing the deterioration of human well-being in conflict zones as inherently linked to broader environmental and economic systems disrupted by war and occupation. Her public statements amplified calls for global solidarity, incorporating the Gaza humanitarian crisis within a more extensive framework of ecological activism aimed at systemic change.
The flotilla incident sparked considerable controversy and polarized public discourse internationally. On one side, supporters lauded the mission as a critical challenge to injustices perpetuated against the Gaza population, praising activists for their courage and urgency in providing relief. They emphasized that humanitarian aid is a fundamental human right and inextricably connected to international law obligations, condemning the ongoing blockade as a form of collective punishment disproportionately harming civilians, including children and the elderly. Many viewed Greta Thunberg’s participation as a validation of the imperative to link diverse activism strands to confront the myriad crises facing humanity collectively.
Conversely, critics of the flotilla raised concerns regarding the mission’s possible politicization and the security implications of attempting to breach a naval blockade during a volatile conflict. Israeli officials defended their interception actions as necessary self-defense measures to prevent weapons smuggling and unauthorized access to Gaza, citing prior historical precedents involving militant groups exploiting similar aid operations. Some detractors questioned the flotilla’s strategic coordination and the involvement of international celebrities, arguing that such actions might exacerbate tensions and undermine diplomatic efforts for a peaceful resolution. These contrasting perspectives highlighted the challenging balance between humanitarian imperatives and national security considerations, reflecting the complex geopolitical landscape encompassing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Following her release and deportation, Greta Thunberg continued to engage with global audiences through speeches, social media, and collaborative platforms emphasizing the intersectionality of climate and social justice. Her firsthand experiences aboard the flotilla and in detention reinforced her messaging on the urgent need to build resilient, inclusive frameworks that address human rights alongside environmental sustainability. This integration resonates with the broader discourse on how war, displacement, and environmental degradation compound individual vulnerabilities, imposing disproportionate burdens on marginalized groups worldwide.
The flotilla episode also catalyzed further mobilization within international civil society networks, inspiring renewed activism focused on humanitarian corridors, peace negotiations, and environmental resilience in conflict-affected zones. It reinforced the vital role of nonviolent direct action in drawing global attention to crises that might otherwise remain under-addressed or overlooked. Lessons drawn from the mission stress that sustainable resolutions to humanitarian emergencies require coordinated efforts across political, social, and environmental domains, underscoring the interconnectedness themes Greta frequently advocates.
In sum, Greta Thunberg’s involvement in the 2025 Global Sumud Flotilla stands as a poignant example of how environmental activists increasingly engage with complex humanitarian crises. It reflects growing recognition that climate advocacy must extend beyond environmental protection to include social equity, peace-building, and human rights. The flotilla’s challenges, reception, and outcomes illuminate the multifaceted nature of contemporary activism and international relations, illustrating both the potential and difficulties of addressing intertwined global issues within fraught political contexts. Greta’s sustained commitment amid adversity continues to influence public consciousness and inspire diverse movements toward climate and social justice.
Public image, controversies, and legal issues
Greta Thunberg has emerged not only as one of the most recognizable environmental activists of her generation but also as a figure entangled in various controversies reflecting the contentious global debate on climate change. While she has championed urgent action and inspired millions, she has also faced criticism from political figures and segments opposed to her views or methods. Concerning legal matters, Greta has been arrested a few times, usually related to participation in peaceful protests and civil disobedience actions advocating for fossil fuel reduction and environmental policies. One notable recent arrest occurred in 2024 during a demonstration in The Hague against fossil fuel subsidies granted to major corporations. These arrests have generally been non-violent and symbolic, underscoring her commitment to activism through non-traditional and direct actions. Greta’s defiance of conventional political discourse and her youth often catalyze polarized reactions globally, further amplifying her profile.
Greta Thunberg, at 22 years of age, stands as a determined and principled climate activist with a modest net worth reflective of her philanthropy-first ethos. Her openness about being on the autism spectrum has reshaped discussions around neurodiversity in activism. Engagements such as the 2025 humanitarian flotilla underscore her commitment beyond just environmentalism, linking climate justice with broader humanitarian concerns. Despite facing controversies and arrests, Greta remains a central figure inspiring global environmental and social movements, committed to demanding urgent systemic change to address the climate crisis.