Hanne Nørgaard Biography: The Inspiring Life of Kim Elba, Makeup Artist, Businesswoman and Idris Elba’s Former Wife

Hanne Nørgaard is an English-American makeup artist, beauty entrepreneur, philanthropist and end-of-life doula/coach. She is also widely known by her professional name Kim Elba. Many people recognise her because of her former marriage to British actor Idris Elba, but her own life story is much wider than that connection. She has built a long career in makeup artistry, worked across entertainment and fashion, founded beauty-related businesses, and later moved into compassionate support work through Comforting Souls.

Hanne has spent decades in creative industries, especially beauty, television, film and personal image development. Her work has taken her from the United Kingdom to the United States, with strong professional links to London, New York, Atlanta and Duluth, Georgia. She is known for her calm public presence, her dedication to family, and her ability to reinvent herself beyond celebrity attention.

Hanne Nørgaard Age, Birthday and Background

Hanne Nørgaard was born on 5 April 1977. As of 2026, she is 49 years old. Her birthday is publicly shown as April 5, and this date is widely used in biographical information about her.

She is often described as English-American, reflecting her life and career connections across both the United Kingdom and the United States. Atlanta, Georgia, is strongly connected with her public and professional life, especially through her business activities and personal family journey. She has also been associated with Duluth, Georgia, where her professional identity as Kim Elba is connected with Makeup Your Mind, Inc.

Hanne Nørgaard Ethnicity and Heritage

Hanne Nørgaard is commonly described as having mixed Afro-Asian heritage. She has often been linked with African and South Korean ancestry, giving her a multicultural background. This heritage adds another layer to her identity, as she has lived and worked across different cultural spaces in Europe and America.

Her beauty career also reflects that diversity. As a makeup artist, she has worked with people from different industries, skin tones, styles and backgrounds. Her long experience helped her understand beauty not as one fixed standard, but as something personal, expressive and culturally rich.

Hanne Nørgaard and the Name Kim Elba

One important point about her identity is that Hanne Nørgaard, Hanne “Kim” Norgaard, Hanne Kim Norgaard and Kim Elba refer to the same public figure. In her professional career, she uses the name Kim Elba, especially in connection with her makeup artistry, business ventures and public work.

The name Kim Elba is linked with her business life, including Makeup Your Mind, Inc, Kim Elba Cosmetics, and her public role as a mother, philanthropist and end-of-life doula/coach. Her Instagram presence also connects the name Kim Elba with her identity as the proud mother of Isan Elba.

Hanne Nørgaard and Idris Elba

Hanne Nørgaard became widely known to the public through her marriage to actor Idris Elba. The couple married in 1999 and divorced in 2003. Their marriage took place before Idris Elba reached the highest level of international fame, and their relationship remains an important part of his early personal life.

Although their marriage ended, they share a daughter, Isan Elba, who has grown into a public figure in her own right. Hanne’s identity should not be limited only to being Idris Elba’s former wife, but that connection remains one of the main reasons many readers first learn her name.

Hanne Nørgaard’s Daughter Isan Elba

Hanne Nørgaard and Idris Elba have one biological daughter, Isan Elba. Isan was born in 2002 and is often recognised as the daughter of Idris Elba and Kim Elba. She has appeared at major public events and gained attention when she became a Golden Globe Ambassador.

Hanne is deeply proud of Isan. Her public identity often includes the phrase “Proud Mom to #IsanElba”, showing how central motherhood is in her life. Her relationship with Isan reflects a strong family bond, even after her divorce from Idris Elba.

Hanne Nørgaard’s Husband Andrew Friar

After her marriage to Idris Elba ended, Hanne Nørgaard later built a new family life with Andrew Friar. He is also connected with her public family identity, and she is often connected with the role of First Lady, a term commonly used for the wife of a pastor or church leader.

Her life with Andrew Friar also includes a stepfamily connection. Public family messages show her affection for Alexandria, whom she lovingly called her stepdaughter. This part of her life shows a warm and humorous side of Hanne, especially in how she speaks about family, birthdays and daily home life.

Hanne Nørgaard as a Mother and Stepmother

Hanne Nørgaard’s family life includes her biological daughter Isan Elba and her stepdaughter Alexandria through Andrew Friar. She has spoken about Alexandria with affection, describing her personality, favourite foods, love of films, cheerleading, singing and dramatic nature. In one family birthday message, she jokingly called herself “not the wickedest stepmom”, showing her playful bond with Alexandria.

This family side gives a fuller picture of Hanne. She is not only a celebrity ex-wife or a businesswoman; she is also a mother, stepmother and family-centred woman who values emotional connection.

Hanne Nørgaard Career in Makeup Artistry

Hanne Nørgaard has more than two decades of experience in makeup artistry. Her career began in the United Kingdom, where she worked in television, film, photography and modelling. Over time, she developed a strong name in the beauty industry and became known as a skilled professional makeup artist.

Her career history includes work with major entertainment names and institutions. She has described working with well-known clients such as Robin Williams, Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie, Idris Elba and Shaquille O’Neal. These names show the level of trust placed in her professional skills.

Early Career in London

In the early part of her career, Hanne worked as a talent director at Finesse International Modelling Agency from 1991 to 1993. In this role, she focused on image development for national and international models. This gave her early experience in presentation, styling and visual identity.

From 1992 to 2000, she worked with the BBC as a key and assistant makeup artist. This period gave her valuable experience in television, hair styling, basic cutting and makeup for screen. At the same time, she also worked as a key makeup artist for Columbia Tristar from 1993 to 2000, contributing to movie projects in London.

Creative Makeup Director Work

From 1997 to 2000, Hanne worked as a Creative Makeup Director at C.S International Photography Studio in London. In that position, she led and oversaw a large makeup department. Her responsibilities also included client relations, which required both creative leadership and strong communication skills.

This role demonstrates that Hanne’s career was not only hands-on artistry. She also had leadership experience, team management ability and professional confidence in high-pressure creative environments.

Hanne Nørgaard in New York and Atlanta

After building experience in London, Hanne continued her beauty career in the United States. From 2000 to 2007, she was president and founder of Kim Elba Makeup Artistry NY in New York. This business served the busy fashion industry, where makeup artists must work quickly, creatively and professionally.

In November 2007, she founded Makeup Your Mind, Inc, a beauty company based around Atlanta, Georgia. Through this company, she provided makeup services for the entertainment industry and for private clients. The company also reflected her wider work as a beauty educator, guest speaker, blogger and column contributor.

Hanne Nørgaard and Makeup Your Mind, Inc

Makeup Your Mind, Inc became one of the main parts of Hanne Nørgaard’s professional identity as Kim Elba. The business provided makeup services for elite entertainment clients as well as everyday clients. Her work also included beauty advice, education and media contributions.

She has contributed as a beauty columnist for platforms and magazines including BET online and Rolling Out. Her specialities include makeup, blogging, education, speaking and beauty writing. This mix shows that she is not only a makeup artist but also a communicator and mentor in the beauty field.

Kim Elba Cosmetics and Other Business Ventures

Hanne Nørgaard is also the owner of Kim Elba Cosmetics, a beauty brand connected with cruelty-free makeup. This business reflects her interest in quality, ethical beauty and professional products. In addition, she has been connected with a jewellery line called Kyue Style, showing her interest in fashion and personal style beyond makeup.

Her business ventures reveal a woman who understands beauty as both an art and an enterprise. She used her technical skill, industry connections and personal brand to create businesses that matched her experience.

Hanne Nørgaard Education and Training

Hanne Nørgaard’s professional success is supported by formal training. She studied at the International Makeup Artist Academy in Europe, earning a diploma with highest honour in makeup, hair, nails and special effects. Her training in special effects gave her a wider technical base beyond everyday beauty makeup.

She also studied at S.C Institute in Washington, DC, where she earned a diploma with highest honours in makeup artistry. Her education included aesthetics and makeup artistry, strengthening her professional knowledge and credibility.

Awards and Recognition

In November 2016, Hanne Nørgaard received a BEFFTA Lifetime Achievement Award connected with Makeup Your Mind, Inc. This honour recognised her contribution to beauty, entertainment and creative work. A lifetime achievement award shows that her career has lasting value and that her work has been appreciated beyond one single role or moment.

Hanne Nørgaard and Comforting Souls

In recent years, Hanne Nørgaard has expanded her life’s work into emotional and spiritual care. Since December 2023, she has been connected with Comforting Souls as an End of Life Coach/President. This role marks a meaningful shift from outer beauty to inner support, compassion and human dignity.

End-of-life coaching is deeply sensitive work. It often involves helping people and families navigate grief, fear, transition and final life stages. Hanne’s move into this area shows maturity, empathy and a desire to serve people beyond the entertainment and beauty industries.

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Hanne Nørgaard’s Public Image

Hanne Nørgaard has lived close to fame, but she does not appear to chase constant celebrity attention. Her public image is more private, family-focused and service-oriented. She is known as a proud mother, a business founder, a makeup expert, a philanthropist and a compassionate coach.

Her journey includes glamour, creativity, marriage to a major actor, motherhood, entrepreneurship, faith-based family life and emotional care work. These different chapters make her life story more layered than a simple celebrity biography.

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Final Thoughts

Hanne Nørgaard is a talented and resilient woman who has built a meaningful life across beauty, business, family and service. Known professionally as Kim Elba, she has worked as a makeup artist for more than two decades, founded Makeup Your Mind, Inc, owned Kim Elba Cosmetics, and created a respected identity in the beauty industry.

She is also known as the former wife of Idris Elba and the mother of Isan Elba, but her life is not defined only by that relationship. Her later family life with Andrew Friar, her role as a stepmother, and her work with Comforting Souls show a woman who continues to grow, care and contribute. From makeup artistry to end-of-life coaching, Hanne’s story is one of creativity, reinvention and compassion.

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FAQs

1. Who is Hanne Nørgaard?

Hanne Nørgaard is an English-American makeup artist, businesswoman, philanthropist and end-of-life doula/coach. She is also known professionally as Kim Elba. She is best known as the former wife of actor Idris Elba and the mother of their daughter, Isan Elba.

2. How old is Hanne Nørgaard?

Hanne Nørgaard was born on 5 April 1977. As of 2026, she is 49 years old.

3. Is Hanne Nørgaard married?

Yes, Hanne Nørgaard later married Andrew Friar after her divorce from Idris Elba. She is also connected with Andrew Friar’s family life and has been described as a stepmother to Alexandria.

4. What is the relationship between Idris Elba and Hanne Nørgaard?

Idris Elba and Hanne Nørgaard were married from 1999 to 2003. They share one daughter, Isan Elba, who was born in 2002. Although their marriage ended, Hanne remains publicly known as Idris Elba’s first wife.

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