Hanne Norgaard is a professional makeup artist, beauty entrepreneur and writer who has worked quietly behind the scenes for many years. While her former marriage to actor Idris Elba introduced her to a wider audience, her own journey is rooted in creativity, business and a lasting interest in beauty.
Also known professionally as Kim Norgaard or Kim Elba, she generally avoids celebrity publicity. She has instead concentrated on her beauty career, Christian faith and family, including her daughter, Isan Elba.
Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Hanne Kim Norgaard |
| Professional names | Kim Norgaard and Kim Elba |
| Reported birth date | 5 April 1977 |
| Reported age | 49 years old in 2026 |
| Birthplace | Reportedly the United Kingdom |
| Nationality | Reportedly British-American |
| Profession | Makeup artist, entrepreneur and writer |
| Former husband | Idris Elba |
| Current husband | Reportedly Pastor Andrew L. Friar II |
| Children | One daughter, Isan Elba |
| Reported height | 5 feet 2 inches |
| Net worth | Not publicly confirmed |
Early life
Norgaard was reportedly born on 5 April 1977 in the United Kingdom. However, she has not personally confirmed her full birth details in a widely available interview. Some sources provide conflicting information about her birthplace, so these details should be treated carefully.
She reportedly has a multicultural background. Published profiles state that her mother is South Korean while her father has African ancestry. Little is publicly known about her parents’ lives, and reliable information about her siblings is unavailable. Norgaard appears to prefer keeping her extended family outside the spotlight.
Education
Norgaard reportedly trained at the International Artist Makeup Academy in Europe, studying makeup, hair, nails and special effects. She later completed additional makeup-artistry training at the SC Institute in Washington, D.C., between 2004 and 2006.
Her education prepared her for work across several areas of the beauty industry. Instead of limiting herself to everyday makeup, she reportedly developed skills suitable for television, film, fashion shoots, stage productions and advertising.
Makeup career
Norgaard began establishing her career in London before moving to the United States. Over the years, she has reportedly worked with private clients, fashion professionals and public figures. Published biographies connect her with the BBC, BET, Columbia TriStar, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, although a complete official list of credits is unavailable.
She has also been linked professionally to entertainers such as Idris Elba, Robin Williams and Shaquille O’Neal. In addition to applying makeup, Norgaard has worked as an educator, helping clients and aspiring artists understand products, colours and techniques.
Beauty business
Norgaard reportedly founded Make Up Your Mind Inc., a company offering beauty services and professional guidance. She also launched a cosmetics venture commonly identified as Kim Elba Cosmetics.
Her work has focused on personalised beauty and products suited to people from different backgrounds. However, little current information is available about the company’s product range or commercial activity. Claims about its revenue and value have never been publicly verified.
Meeting Idris Elba
Hanne Norgaard reportedly met Idris Elba in London while both were still developing their careers. At the time, Elba had not yet achieved the international fame that later came through productions such as The Wire, Luther and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.
The couple moved to the United States in 1999, hoping to find better professional opportunities. They married that same year and began building a new life while managing the uncertainty that often accompanies an early entertainment career.
Marriage and divorce
Norgaard and Elba remained married from 1999 until 2003. During their marriage, they welcomed their only child together, Isan Elba.
Neither has publicly provided a detailed explanation for the divorce. That privacy has allowed unsupported stories to circulate, but there is no dependable evidence confirming a particular reason for their separation. They later maintained a respectful relationship and remained involved in raising their daughter.
Daughter Isan
Isan Elba was born on 5 January 2002. She attracted wider attention after being selected as the 2019 Golden Globe Ambassador, a role that allowed her to support causes important to her.
Isan has shown an interest in entertainment and mental-health advocacy. She has also appeared publicly with both parents, reflecting the cooperative relationship Norgaard and Elba maintained after their divorce. People identifies Isan as Idris and Norgaard’s daughter and discusses her professional ambitions.
Health journey
In 2019, Isan spoke publicly about her mother’s experiences with mental health. She identified bipolar depression, depression and chronic anxiety among the conditions Norgaard had faced.
Isan explained that learning about her mother’s experience brought them closer and helped her understand the importance of open communication. Her comments later influenced her advocacy work. These personal details originate from Isan’s interview with People; further claims about Norgaard’s treatment or current health should not be made without her consent.
Current husband
Reports state that Norgaard married Pastor Andrew L. Friar II in 2013. He is associated with Heart Strong Ministry in Georgia, where Norgaard has reportedly supported church and community activities.
The couple shares a Christian faith and keeps most aspects of their marriage private. There are no confirmed reports that they have children together. Norgaard’s public image suggests that faith remains an important part of her personal life.
Height and appearance
Hanne Norgaard’s height is commonly reported as 5 feet 2 inches, or approximately 157 centimetres. Nevertheless, no official profile confirms this measurement.
She has dark hair and dark brown eyes. Websites also publish weight and body measurements, but those figures lack authoritative evidence and may be outdated. Her professional appearance often reflects her background in cosmetics, with carefully coordinated makeup and styling.
Net worth
Several websites estimate Hanne Norgaard’s net worth at $900,000. However, she has never publicly disclosed her income, property, investments or business valuation. Therefore, her actual net worth remains not publicly confirmed.
Her likely income sources include professional makeup services, beauty education and cosmetics-related ventures. Idris Elba’s financial success should not be used to calculate Norgaard’s wealth because they have been divorced since 2003 and manage separate careers.
Lifestyle
Norgaard appears to maintain a quiet, family-oriented lifestyle. Rather than sharing frequent updates about expensive homes, cars or holidays, she has remained focused on beauty work, faith and supporting her daughter.
Her limited public presence also separates her from many celebrity former spouses. Although she attends occasional industry and family events, she does not appear to seek regular coverage or build her identity around her former marriage.
Social media
Accounts using the names Hanne Norgaard, Kim Norgaard and Kim Elba can be found online. However, their official status is not always clear, and some older articles may list usernames that are no longer active.
Anyone looking for her genuine profile should confirm whether it links to her professional beauty work or recognised family connections. Unverified pages should not be treated as reliable sources of personal information.
Final thoughts
Hanne Norgaard’s story extends far beyond her four-year marriage to Idris Elba. She developed her own path as a makeup artist, entrepreneur and beauty educator while raising a daughter who has become an advocate in her own right.
Her life also reflects a conscious choice to maintain privacy. Although the public knows parts of her career and family history, Norgaard has kept her finances, extended family and daily lifestyle largely personal. That balance has allowed her to remain connected to the entertainment world without letting celebrity attention define her.
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FAQs
Who is Hanne Norgaard?
Hanne Norgaard is a professional makeup artist, beauty entrepreneur and writer. She is also known as Idris Elba’s first wife and Isan Elba’s mother.
What does Hanne Norgaard do for a living?
She works as a makeup artist and beauty educator. She also reportedly founded Make Up Your Mind Inc. and developed Kim Elba Cosmetics.
How long were Hanne Norgaard and Idris Elba married?
Hanne Norgaard and Idris Elba were married for approximately four years, from 1999 until their divorce in 2003.
Who is Hanne Norgaard’s daughter?
Her daughter is Isan Elba, born in January 2002. Isan became the 2019 Golden Globe Ambassador and supports mental-health awareness.
What is Hanne Norgaard’s net worth?
Her net worth is not publicly confirmed. Although some websites estimate it at $900,000, no reliable financial evidence supports that figure.