Last Updated on 2 days ago by Vijay Kumar
Nora Ikstena, one of Latvia’s most acclaimed contemporary writers, has died at the age of 56 after a serious illness, her family confirmed on 4 January 2026. Ikstena’s passing was reported by Latvian public media, which noted that she had been battling health issues prior to her death.
Ikstena was born on 15 October 1969 in Riga and became a central figure in Latvian literature. She studied Latvian philology at the University of Latvia and later English language and literature at Columbia University in the United States. Over her career, she published more than twenty books including seven novels, short story collections, biographies, and essays.
Among her most celebrated works is the novel Mātes piens (translated into English as Soviet Milk), first published in 2015 as part of the “We. Latvia, 20th Century” series — a powerful exploration of life under Soviet occupation that was later adapted into film and theatre. Her debut novel appeared in 1998, and her writing earned her major awards including the Latvian Literature Award and the national Excellence in Culture Award; she was also honored with the Order of the Three Stars for her contribution to Latvian culture.
She is survived by her family and loved ones, who confirmed her death to the media and have received condolences from across the Latvian cultural community. Tributes from fellow writers and readers have highlighted her enduring impact on literature both in Latvia and internationally.
My name is Vijay Kumar. I work as content writer and founder of this website. I am studying BSC IT. I has been writing content since 2022. I also learn about journalism.
