Morten Harket – Parkinson’s Diagnosis and a-ha Star’s Life Story

In June 2025, the voice behind one of the most recognisable pop songs of the 1980s became the focus of a very different kind of news. Morten Harket, the frontman of the Norwegian band a-ha, announced he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The revelation, shared through the band’s official channels, has prompted an outpouring of concern and support from fans around the world.

The 65-year-old singer disclosed that he had already undergone two brain surgeries in 2024 to manage symptoms. While he remains publicly positive, Harket has admitted he is uncertain about his future as a performer. The news has added a new chapter to the life story of an artist who shaped pop culture with hits like “Take On Me.”

What is the latest news about Morten Harket’s Parkinson’s diagnosis?

The announcement came on June 4, 2025, via a-ha’s official website and was quickly picked up by major media outlets including BBC News and People magazine. The statement confirmed that Harket had Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder, and revealed he had already taken significant medical steps to address it.

• The diagnosis was publicly announced on June 4, 2025, through a-ha’s official website.
• Harket underwent deep brain stimulation surgeries in June 2024 and December 2024 at the Mayo Clinic.
• He described the procedures as having “softened the impact” of his symptoms.
• The disease has affected his voice, and he has said he is not sure if he can sing at all now.
• He told fans “don’t worry about me” and said he would listen to professionals about next steps.
• Harket is a father of five and a grandfather, as confirmed by the band’s announcement.
• The news has drawn widespread attention to Parkinson’s disease among aging musicians.

Who is Morten Harket’s wife and what is his personal life like?

Public records show that Morten Harket was married to Ingeborg Øiseth, a Norwegian photographer. The couple wed in 1992 and separated in 2022. Available information does not confirm that he is currently married. The official announcement from a-ha described him as a “father of five and a grandfather,” but did not mention a spouse.

Does Morten Harket have children?

Yes, he has five children. The announcement from a-ha’s official site referred to him as a father of five and a grandfather. No further details about his children’s names or ages have been disclosed in the available sources.

How old is Morten Harket and what were his early years like?

Morten Harket was born on September 14, 1959, in Kongsberg, Norway. He was 65 years old at the time of his Parkinson’s diagnosis announcement in June 2025. He formed a-ha in 1982 with Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen. The band rose to international fame with its debut album Hunting High and Low, which featured the smash hit “Take On Me.”

What was Morten Harket’s childhood like?

Details about his early childhood are limited in the available records. He was born in Kongsberg, a town in southeastern Norway known for its silver mining history. His path into music eventually led him to Oslo, where he met his future bandmates.

How did Morten Harket start his music career?

Before forming a-ha, Harket had been involved in the Norwegian music scene. The band came together in 1982, and by 1985 they had achieved a level of global success that few artists ever experience. “Take On Me” topped charts around the world, and its groundbreaking music video became a defining image of the 1980s.

What was Morten Harket like in the 1980s?

During the 1980s, Morten Harket was at the heart of one of the decade’s most successful pop acts. a-ha’s blend of synth-pop and New Wave, combined with Harket’s distinctive tenor voice and striking appearance, made them an international sensation. The band’s debut album Hunting High and Low and its follow-up Scoundrel Days cemented their place in pop history.

What is Morten Harket’s net worth and career with a-ha?

No verified net worth figure for Morten Harket has been confirmed in the provided sources. Public estimates exist but should be treated as speculative. His income has come from album sales, worldwide tours, and solo projects over a career spanning more than four decades.

a-ha released multiple albums after their breakthrough, including Scoundrel Days (1986), Stay on These Roads (1988), and later works such as Minor Earth Major Sky (2000) and Analogue (2005). The band has sold tens of millions of records globally.

What are Morten Harket’s biggest hits?

Beyond “Take On Me,” a-ha produced several other major hits including “The Sun Always Shines on T.V.,” “Hunting High and Low,” “Stay on These Roads,” and “Crying in the Rain.” Harket also released solo material, though his work with a-ha remains his most commercially significant.

How tall is Morten Harket?

The available public records do not include a reliably sourced height for Morten Harket. No official or verified measurement was found in the provided research materials. Any claims about his height circulating online should be treated as unconfirmed.

What is the timeline of Morten Harket’s life and career?

1. 1959 — Born in Kongsberg, Norway on September 14.
2. 1982 — Forms a-ha with Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen.
3. 1985 — International breakthrough with “Take On Me” and the album Hunting High and Low.
4. 1992 — Marries Ingeborg Øiseth.
5. 2022 — Separation from Ingeborg Øiseth announced.
6. June 2024 — Undergoes deep brain stimulation surgery at Mayo Clinic.
7. December 2024 — Second deep brain stimulation procedure at Mayo Clinic.
8. June 4, 2025 — Parkinson’s disease diagnosis announced publicly via a-ha’s official website.

What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about Morten Harket?

What does Morten Harket’s Parkinson’s diagnosis mean in context?

Morten Harket’s diagnosis brings attention to Parkinson’s disease among aging musicians. The announcement, delivered through a-ha’s official channels, reflects a transparent approach to a deeply personal health matter. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder, but many individuals continue active careers with appropriate treatment and management. Harket’s legacy with a-ha remains significant, and the news has generated widespread support from fans and fellow musicians alike.

What do official sources say about Morten Harket’s health?

“We are sad to announce that Morten has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He is receiving excellent care and remains positive.”

— a-ha’s official website, via People magazine

“A-ha frontman Morten Harket has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.”

— BBC News

“He is a Norwegian singer who is the lead vocalist of the synth-pop band a-ha.”

— Wikipedia

What is the overall situation with Morten Harket?

Morten Harket, the 65-year-old frontman of a-ha, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He underwent two brain surgeries in 2024 and has said his voice has been affected. He remains publicly positive and has asked fans not to worry. His career with a-ha, spanning from 1982 to the present, has left an enduring mark on pop music. For more on the lives of iconic band frontmen, read about Trent Reznor – Wife, Net Worth, Band and Full Biography and Francis Rossi – Complete Biography and 2026 Tour Dates.

Frequently asked questions about Morten Harket