Chess Prodigy Magnus Carlsen Asks Fans to Honor His Late Mother with Flowers Instead of Donations
World chess champion Magnus Carlsen has made a heartwarming request to his fans in the wake of his mother’s passing. Sigrum Oen, the mother of the 33-year-old Norwegian chess legend, passed away at the age of 62 in Oslo.
A Devoted Mother
Carlsen’s parents, Henrik and Sigrum Oen, a chemical engineer, played a significant role in their son’s successful career. When Carlsen was just 13 years old, he was a victim of bullying at school. In response, his parents took a sabbatical year, allowing the whole family to travel around Europe playing chess tournaments. This decision was crucial in Carlsen’s sporting progress and character development.
A Family’s Unforgettable Journey
In an interview with El Mundo, Carlsen fondly recalled his family’s adventures, saying, "We traveled as a family around Europe, especially Italy and Greece. It was a nice time when I spent time playing chess and seeing monuments. We traveled in such a shabby van that we were never afraid of it being stolen." Just three years later, Carlsen made his debut in Ciudad de Linares, marking the beginning of his illustrious chess career.
Funeral Arrangements
Carlsen’s mother’s funeral is scheduled to take place on July 17. Instead of making a donation to cancer research, the chess prodigy has requested that his fans lay flowers at his mother’s grave.
