Magnus Carlsen & Ella Victoria Are Expecting: 'My Beautiful, Pregnant Wife'
GM Magnus Carlsen and his wife, Ella Victoria, have announced the heartwarming news that they are expecting their first child.
The couple officially tied the knot in Oslo on January 4 this year. On Monday, the newlyweds shared the joyful news that they are set to become parents.
"My beautiful pregnant wife," Carlsen wrote in the caption to his 1.8 million Instagram followers, accompanied by a heart emoji along with three photos of his wife, Ella Victoria, showing her baby bump.
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The due date has not been revealed, but when a follower asked about the baby's gender, Ella Victoria responded: "you'll find out in a few months".
The announcement hardly came as a surprise to those following the couple in recent months. Ella Victoria has been visibly pregnant while accompanying Carlsen to tournaments in Paris and Karlsruhe in March and April.
They have also been open about their plans of starting a family at some point, with Carlsen saying in 2023: "I don't feel any pressure, but it's definitely something I want, if not right now, at some point. I think it's incredibly nice to be an uncle and also have friends who become parents. To score some adult points, pretty much!"
The 26-year-old was born in Hong Kong to a Norwegian mother and an American father and grew up partly in Oslo, but studied in the U.S and also spent years living in Singapore, where she is a permanent resident.
The couple were first seen together during the 2024 Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T Challenge in Germany. While initially keeping a low profile in public, Ella Victoria has taken a more central role in her husband's career in the last months, and appeared in several interviews.
Speaking to Norwegian chess podcast Sjakksnakk in December, the 26-year-old candidly shared details of her life with the former world champion.
"He was really sweet when we first met. He was very shy and nervous. It was very endearing. He is incredibly intelligent. He remembered my birthday immediately, which really flattered me. But it turns out he has a really good memory, so I am not sure! He remembers everyone's birthday!"
Back then, Ella Victoria was also asked about the plans of starting a family. "As soon as time allows. He has a busy schedule. I am not sure how we are going to manage the travelling with kids, but it's definitely something we both want," adding: "He is going to be an amazing father!"
He is going to be an amazing father!
—Ella Victoria Malone on starting a family with Magnus Carlsen
The soon-to-be father won’t be slowing down just yet. Carlsen is set to return to online chess in the Chess.com Classic, running May 18–23. He’ll then be back over the board for the 2025 Norway Chess tournament days later, from May 26-June 6.
Chess.com sends its warmest congratulations to Magnus and Ella Victoria as they prepare to welcome their newest and undoubtedly most precious addition!
