Åke Wiberg was born in 1902 in Gothenburg into a family with roots in Skåne that ran an industrial business, AB Göteborgs Gamla Trätoffelfabrik. After completing his secondary education in 1920 at Göteborgs Högre Latinläroverk, he moved to Lund to study law and economics. In 1924, he earned his law degree and immediately joined Roos Law Firm. During his student years, Wiberg developed an interest in politics, and as a liberal conservative, he quickly advanced within the then Conservative Party. He was elected to Malmö’s City Council in 1931, a position he held until 1947. In 1941, he was elected to the Swedish Parliament, where he served until 1949, stepping down for health reasons. Wiberg was active and successful in politics, particularly involved in defense and economic issues. Early on, he recognized the dangers of the political developments in Germany during the 1930s and maintained a firm stance against Nazism and other far-right movements.

Alongside his political career, Wiberg built a successful path as an industrialist. Through his work at Roos Law Firm and later his own firm, he became involved with Malmö Strumpfabrik. Initially providing legal expertise, he later became a part-owner when the company faced financial difficulties in the 1930s, eventually becoming its principal owner. Under his leadership, Malmö Strumpfabrik returned to profitability and capitalized on the global rise of nylon stockings after World War II. Through brands such as Vogue and Nivella, the company became a leading player in this lucrative market. Beyond hosiery, Wiberg expanded into other industries, including ship equipment manufacturing and import through AB Herman Gotthardt in Arlöv, and companies producing treated wooden poles for electrical and telephone lines (later AB Borgen). These ventures enabled Wiberg to build considerable wealth, which ultimately laid the foundation for the Åke Wiberg Foundation. Known for his concern for workers’ conditions, he personally supported employee education and even provided loans for workers to build their own homes.

Wiberg’s influence extended well beyond law, politics, and industry. Deeply passionate about culture, he made significant contributions in this field as well. In the 1940s, he became Chair of the Royal Swedish Opera’s board, Chair of the Public Art Agency Sweden, and a board member of the Nordic Museum. In 1950, he was appointed Superintendent of the Royal Court, and in recognition of his cultural efforts, he was later awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Gothenburg. As Chair of the Public Art Agency, he championed making high-quality art accessible in public spaces. He also served as Chair of the Swedish Institute at Athens, gaining deep insights into archaeology, particularly the temple excavations in Labranda, Turkey, where he collaborated with King Gustaf VI Adolf as part of the Labranda Committee. In 1959, Wiberg was appointed Chair of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, where he played a leading role in its relocation in 1963 to its current location on Skeppsholmen in Stockholm.

Privately, Wiberg’s love for culture and history was equally evident. In 1939, he purchased Apertin Manor near Kil in Värmland, an estate dating back to the 1600s, believed to have inspired the Ekeby estate in Selma Lagerlöf’s novel Gösta Berling’s Saga. Wiberg carefully restored the manor and over time built an impressive personal art collection, as well as a large collection of pocket watches. His passion for history also led him to author several books about his family and the history of Apertin Manor.

Across all endeavors, Wiberg displayed great personal commitment and an extraordinary capacity for work. At times, three secretaries were needed to handle the extensive correspondence related to his political, cultural, and business activities. While determined and driven, he also possessed a strong sense of social responsibility. He was generous, donating from his own wealth to support individual education, cultural causes, and research.

Wiberg’s life was also marked by health challenges from a relatively young age, and he passed away in November 1963, at the age of just 61.

Urban Lendahl, July 2025