Magnus Carlsen, the reigning chess grandmaster and one of the greatest players in history, has officially entered a new chapter in his life—marriage. On January 4, 2025, Carlsen tied the knot with Ella Victoria Malone in a picturesque winter ceremony at the Holmenkollen Chapel in Oslo, Norway. It was an intimate affair, attended by family, close friends, and, interestingly, a Netflix crew rumored to be filming a chess-related series set to premiere later in the year. The reception took place at the iconic Grand Hotel, a five-star venue befitting the grandeur of the occasion.
Who Is Magnus Carlsen’s Wife, Ella Victoria Malone?
Ella Victoria Malone, now officially Ella Victoria Carlsen, brings an intriguing blend of cultures and experiences to the relationship. Born in 1998, she is 26 years old, eight years younger than her husband. She has a unique Norwegian-American heritage, having been raised by a Norwegian mother and an American father.
While her early years were spent in Oslo, she also lived for an extended period in Singapore, where she is a permanent resident. Her academic journey started at Uranienborg School in Oslo, a prestigious institution known for its rigorous curriculum and large student body of approximately 870 students. She later pursued further education in institutions across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Magnus Carlsen’s wife, Ella Victoria Malone, was first seen publicly with him in February 2024 at the Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge in Germany, where he competed against some of the world’s best chess minds. Their appearance together sparked curiosity, but both remained relatively private about their relationship. As the year progressed, she was spotted at multiple tournaments, including the Champions Chess Tour Finals in Oslo and the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in New York City in December. Her consistent presence at these events made it clear that she was a pillar of support in Carlsen’s life.
Unlike many high-profile spouses, Ella has largely kept her personal life private. Her Instagram profile, @ellabellabangbang, has only seven posts and a modest following of 239 people. However, those close to the couple describe her as a deeply supportive partner who understands the pressures of Magnus Carlsen’s career. In an interview with TV 2 during the Speed Chess Championship in September 2024, Carlsen himself stated, “It’s very nice to have her with me. She is understanding and supportive. That’s nice, and it’s good to have some distractions in case I don’t perform well.”
Beyond her support for Carlsen, Ella is known for her love of the arts. She has a keen interest in photography and design, often sharing her work with close friends. Reports indicate that she played a crucial role in securing Magnus a deal with the Dutch fashion brand G-Star Raw, further demonstrating her influence on his professional endeavors.
The wedding itself was a grand yet elegant affair. The Holmenkollen Chapel, nestled in the snowy hills of Oslo, provided the perfect setting for the couple’s vows. Magnus, known for his casual style, opted for a classic tuxedo rather than his usual jeans—perhaps a nod to the dress code controversies that have followed him throughout his career. The wedding date was particularly significant, coming just days after Carlsen’s shared victory with Ian Nepomniachtchi at the World Blitz Chess Championship, marking yet another milestone in his already historic career.
As they embark on their new life together, one major question lingers: Where will they settle? Magnus Carlsen has been vocal about his discomfort with the intense public scrutiny he faces in Norway. In an October 2024 interview with The Guardian, he admitted, “I will not live in Norway full-time because I do not want my future wife and children to also have to live under that pressure.” Ella, for her part, has expressed a preference for Singapore, calling it “her home.” While the final decision remains unclear, all signs point to the couple building their future in Asia.
One of the more amusing wedding-related tidbits came from Carlsen’s chess activities on his big day. While he refrained from participating in the Bullet Brawl on January 4, he couldn’t resist playing seven 3+0 blitz games with GM Daniel Naroditsky later that night. A true chess player to the core.
“I get stressed, I get very stressed!”
— Ella Victoria Malone on watching the games of Magnus Carlsen, who she’s set to marry this weekend pic.twitter.com/FHG4UaLrbU
— chess24 (@chess24com) January 2, 2025
With his wife Ella by his side, Magnus Carlsen’s life is set to take on new dimensions beyond the 64 squares of a chessboard. Whether managing his schedule alongside his father or ensuring he maintains a balance between competition and personal life, Ella Victoria Carlsen is poised to play a central role in the next phase of Magnus’s journey. Their marriage is not just a union of two people but a fascinating blend of cultures, ambitions, and an unwavering commitment to supporting each other’s pursuits. As the chess world watches, one thing is certain—Magnus Carlsen has found his queen.
