Morten Harket, the Norwegian singer who fronted A-ha, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2025 and has undergone brain surgery twice. The news, reported by BBC News in June 2025, has drawn fresh attention to a career that helped define the synth-pop era of the 1980s.
Born in Kongsberg, Norway, on 14 September 1959, Harket co-founded A-ha in 1982 with Magne Furuholmen and Pål Waaktaar. The release of “Take On Me” in 1985 introduced his high falsetto to a global audience and made A-ha an international success.
At 65, Harket remains involved in music and mentoring. His diagnosis has also raised questions about his family, his finances, and his future plans; some have clear answers, while others remain open.
Does Morten Harket Have Parkinson’s Disease?
Yes. BBC News reported in June 2025 that Morten Harket has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and has undergone brain surgery twice. The report did not specify the stage of the disease, and full details of the two procedures have not been made public.
Authoritative medical background is available through organisations such as Parkinson’s UK. A separate Parkinson’s disease overview and treatment options offers further context. Despite the diagnosis, available information indicates that Harket has remained active in music and mentoring through 2025.
Health: Parkinson’s diagnosis announced in June 2025; two brain surgeries; continued activity despite the diagnosis.
Personal Life: Married with children; born in 1959; height documented; net worth estimated; family names private.
Career: A-ha frontman from 1982; “Take On Me” and a signature falsetto; decades of albums, tours, and solo work.
Latest News: Solo album and mentoring in 2024; health announcement in June 2025; 2026 plans unconfirmed.
Several points stand out from the available information:
- Morten Harket was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2025, an announcement first reported by the BBC.
- He has undergone brain surgery twice.
- He is best known as the lead vocalist of A-ha and for the 1985 global hit “Take On Me.”
- His net worth is estimated in the tens of millions, though specific figures vary by source.
- He is married and has children, but his family life is private.
- His falsetto is a defining element of A-ha’s sound.
- He continues to work in music and mentoring as of 2025 despite his health challenges.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Morten Harket |
| Born | (age 65) |
| Height | Approx. 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $10–20 million (2025) |
| Spouse | Married; children; names not publicly confirmed |
| Diagnosis | Parkinson’s disease (announced June 2025) |
| Brain Surgery | Two surgeries; details limited |
| Famous For | Lead singer of A-ha; “Take On Me” |
Who Is Morten Harket’s Wife?
Morten Harket is married and has children, but he has kept his family away from the public eye. Publicly available sources do not confirm the name of his wife or the number of children he has.
Harket has long kept his marriage and children out of the public record. Claims about his wife’s name or his children that appear online have not been matched by any official statement from the singer or his representatives.
What is Morten Harket’s net worth?
Estimates place Morten Harket’s net worth at roughly $10–20 million as of 2025. No official disclosure exists, and published figures vary by source, so the number is an estimate rather than a confirmed fact.
How tall is Morten Harket?
Harket stands approximately 1.83 metres, which is around 6 feet.
Does Morten Harket have children?
Yes. Available information indicates that he has children, although their number and names have not been publicly confirmed.
How old is Morten Harket?
Born on in Kongsberg, Norway, Harket turned 65 in 2025.
How Did Morten Harket Join A-ha and Become Famous?
Harket began singing in his teens before co-founding A-ha in 1982 with Magne Furuholmen and Pål Waaktaar. His full biography, including his early life and his years with the band, is covered in detail on Wikipedia.
The release of “Take On Me” in 1985 was the breakthrough. Harket’s voice became the band’s calling card, and A-ha continued releasing albums and touring through the 1990s and 2000s, while Harket also pursued solo projects. His career credits are listed on IMDb.
For the full story of the group, the A-ha band history and discography covers the albums and the line-up from 1982 onwards.
How does Morten Harket sing falsetto?
Harket uses a high-register vocal technique that became a defining element of A-ha’s sound. It is heard most famously on “Take On Me.” His exact vocal range has never been officially documented, but his falsetto is widely associated with the band’s 1980s recordings.
“Take On Me” is the most familiar demonstration of Harket’s falsetto. The high-register vocal melodies in A-ha’s 1980s work became the band’s signature, even though his precise vocal range was never officially measured.
What are Morten Harket’s biggest hits?
“Take On Me” (1985) is by far the most famous song in his catalogue. A-ha built on that success with further albums and tours, and Harket released solo material during the 1990s and 2000s.
What was Morten Harket like in the 1980s?
During the 1980s, Harket was the public face of A-ha at the height of the synth-pop boom. The band’s image and sound defined that period of his career.
What Are Morten Harket’s Plans for 2024, 2025, and 2026?
In 2024, Harket mentored singers on The Voice and released the solo album “True North.” His time on the programme is covered in The Voice Norway mentoring highlights.
The health announcement in June 2025 changed the outlook for his live schedule. No official statement has described his treatment plan or recovery path.
Is Morten Harket still touring?
No future tour dates have been officially announced. Health considerations are expected to influence any live performances, and studio work remains possible. Official updates are published on his verified Instagram account.
What is the latest news about Morten Harket?
The most significant recent news is the BBC report from June 2025 confirming the Parkinson’s diagnosis and the two brain surgeries. The stage of the disease has not been specified in public sources, and Harket has not shared further details about his treatment.
What are Morten Harket’s 2026 plans?
No confirmed 2026 plans have been announced. Short-term priorities are likely to centre on health management and recovery, with possible media interviews or continued mentoring if his health allows. Medium-term possibilities include a studio album or collaborations; longer-term options include legacy projects such as documentaries or reissues, and possibly a reduced touring schedule.
Touring dates, the stage of the Parkinson’s diagnosis, and the specifics of the two brain surgeries have not been officially confirmed. Any detailed claims about these topics should be treated as unverified unless they come from Harket himself or from his official channels.
When Did the Key Events in Morten Harket’s Life Happen?
The main biographical dates run from his birth in Norway to the health announcement of 2025.
- : Born in Kongsberg, Norway, on 14 September.
- : Co-founded A-ha with Magne Furuholmen and Pål Waaktaar.
- : “Take On Me” released; global success follows.
- : Continued albums, tours, and solo work.
- : Mentored on The Voice; released the solo album “True North.”
- : BBC reports the Parkinson’s diagnosis and the two brain surgeries.
- : Future plans unconfirmed; health management continues.
The biographical dates, including the founding of A-ha and the release of “Take On Me,” come from the biography maintained on Wikipedia. The 2025 health information comes from the BBC report published in June of that year.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Morten Harket?
Some aspects of Harket’s life are well documented, while others rest on estimates or remain absent from the public record.
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Parkinson’s disease diagnosis (BBC, June 2025) | Exact net worth; no official disclosure, figures vary by source |
| Two brain surgeries (BBC report) | Wife’s name and number of children not publicly confirmed |
| Birth date and place (Wikipedia) | Future touring plans not officially announced |
| A-ha band membership and key hits | Stage of Parkinson’s disease not specified in sources |
| — | Full details of brain surgery procedures remain limited |
How Has Morten Harket’s Health Affected His Career and Legacy?
The diagnosis brings together a musical legacy and a health challenge. As the frontman of A-ha, Harket helped define the sound of 1980s synth-pop, and the news has generated both fan concern and renewed media interest in his ability to continue performing.
His reported decision to undergo brain surgery points to a proactive approach to treatment. The scarcity of personal information about his wife and children reflects a long-standing preference for privacy, while net worth figures remain speculative.
The most likely effect on his career is a reduced touring schedule, possible continued studio work, and increased public interest in his legacy.
Where Can Readers Find the Latest Information About Morten Harket?
The BBC News report from June 2025 is the primary source for the Parkinson’s diagnosis and the two brain surgeries. Wikipedia maintains a detailed biographical entry covering his birth, his role in A-ha, and his discography. IMDb documents his career credits across music and film.
Harket’s official Facebook page is used for announcements and updates, alongside his verified Instagram account. Parkinson’s UK publishes authoritative medical information about the condition for anyone seeking clinical background.
What Should Fans Know About Morten Harket in 2025?
Morten Harket is the 65-year-old Norwegian singer whose falsetto defined A-ha’s sound and whose “Take On Me” remains a global hit. In June 2025 it became public that he has Parkinson’s disease and has undergone two brain surgeries. He continues to work in music and mentoring, his family life remains private, and his future touring plans are unconfirmed. A closer look at the song itself appears in the Take On Me song analysis.
What Else Do Readers Ask About Morten Harket?
What is Morten Harket’s real name?
His full name is Morten Harket; he was born with that name.
Does Morten Harket have an Instagram?
Yes, his official Instagram is @mortenharket.
Where can I find Morten Harket images?
Official images are available on his Instagram, Facebook, and Wikipedia page.
What is Morten Harket’s falsetto range?
Exact range not documented, but his falsetto is famously high and used in songs like “Take On Me.”
Is Morten Harket still singing?
Yes, he continues to sing and perform, though health may affect schedule.
What is Morten Harket’s most famous song?
“Take On Me” (1985) with A-ha is his most famous.
When did Morten Harket start singing?
He began singing in his teens and formed A-ha in 1982.
Sophie Chen is News & Politics Editor at readingwire.co.uk, covering UK and world news, politics, policy and current affairs.