Jóhann Hafstein

Jóhann Hafstein was elected to the Althingi for the Reykjavík constituency in 1946, which he represented until 1978, when he resigned due to ill health. Jóhann served as prime minister of Iceland from 10 July 1970 to 14 July 1971, for the Independence Party, following the death of prime minister Bjarni Benediktsson, his wife and their 4-year-old grandson, caused by a fire at a government summer house at Þingvellir on 10 July 1970. Hafstein also become the chairman for the Independence Party immediately. Hafstein's cabinet was replaced and defeated in the 1971 parliamentary election, causing him to step down as prime minister. Hafstein stepped down as party leader in 1973 following health problems. He died on 15 May 1980 due to a long illness that had previously caused him to resign two years earlier.