It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Tove Laila Strand on 28 March 2026. Born as the child of a Norwegian woman and a German Wehrmacht soldier in 1941, Tove Laila was one of the courageous voices who helped bring visibility to the often-overlooked experiences of Children Born of War.
Tove Laila played an essential role in the development of My Child Lebensborn, the award-winning narrative game created by Teknopilot AS and Sarepta Studio AS. She generously shared her personal history, memories, and documentation with the development team, ensuring that the game authentically represented the realities faced by Norwegian Lebensborn children in the aftermath of World War II. The drawings and documents featured in the game are inspired by her actual childhood records—a testament to her trust in this project and her commitment to preserving this history for future generations.
Since its release, My Child Lebensborn has been downloaded over 25 million times worldwide and has earned critical acclaim, including the 2019 BAFTA Games Award for “Game Beyond Entertainment.” Reviewers have praised the game for its sensitive handling of post-WWII ostracism, its power to foster empathy, and its value as an educational tool for teaching difficult chapters of history. Through Tove Laila’s willingness to share her story, players across the globe have gained a deeper understanding of the stigma, resilience, and humanity of Children Born of War.
As a gesture of gratitude to Tove Laila and the Lebensborn community for their invaluable contributions to the game, Teknopilot AS and Sarepta Studio AS donate a portion of the game’s proceeds to support Children Born of War today, providing resources, advocacy, and community for those who still carry the legacy of this difficult chapter in history.
This initiative became the starting point for the founding of The Children Born of War Project, with donations from the game continuing to fund the foundation to this day. The creation of The Children Born of War Project would not have been possible without the courage and assistance of Tove Laila Strand and her fellow Norwegian Lebensborn children.
Funeral Arrangements: Tove Laila Strand’s funeral will be held in Oslo on Wednesday, 15 April 2026. We invite the global community of players, historians, and supporters to join us in remembrance on this day, honoring a woman whose courage gave voice to a silenced generation. Tove Laila’s legacy lives on not only in the game itself but in the ongoing work of our foundation.
We extend our deepest condolences to Tove Laila’s family, friends, and all who knew her. May her courage continue to inspire awareness and compassion for Children Born of War everywhere.
With gratitude,
Elin Festøy
Creative Producer of My Child Lebensborn
Board Member of The Children Born of War Project
(photo: Haakon Wettre)
