Else Moltke

Else Moltke (1888–1986) was a Danish countess, writer and women's rights activist. A keen contributor to newspapers and magazines from the early 1930s, she wrote mainly about historical figures, a topic which was behind Fra Bondehus til Herregaard (From Farmhouse to Manor, 1941).

As a feminist, she recognized the difficulties women faced in achieving success. In 1941, she founded and ran a women's discussion club (Kvindelige Diskussionsklub) in Copenhagen which over the years achieved a membership of some 800.

From the mid-1960s, Moltke published 14 books, the most successful of which was Fra herregård til kunstnerhus (From Manor to Artists' House, 1965).

Early life, education and family Born on the Konradineslyst Estate in the parish of Ruds Vedby near Sorø on 2 March 1888, Else Moltke was the daughter of the landowner Otto Joachim Adam Moltke (1860–1937) and his wife Ingeborg née Valentiner (1862–1947). She was one of the family's six children. In March 1910, she married her distant cousin, the painter Harald Viggo Moltke (1871–1960), with whom she had two daughters: Rose (1913) and Alette (1926). Other books include Fra Bondehus til Herregaard (1941), Fra herregård til kunstnerhus (1965), Min svanevinge (My Swan Wings, 1984) and Krisetid og stjernestunder (Times of Crisis and Moments of Stardom, 1985).

Moltke recognized the difficulties women faced in achieving success. In 1941, she founded and chaired a popular women's discussion club (Kvindelige Diskussionsklub) in Copenhagen which over the years achieved a membership of some 800. A key participant was the novelist Thit Jensen with whom Moltke established a fruitful relationship. Kvinde før og nu (Woman Then and Now, 1974), Moltke records the club's activities and history. She also became a member of the Danish Women's Society and of the Danish branch of Open Doors International.

Else Moltke died in Copenhagen on 10 January 1986 and was buried in Reerslev Cemetery at Ruds Vedby.