Ida Kjos about finishing her twin sister Elin’s book

Four years ago, fitness profile, influencer and former elite swimmer Elin Kjos was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer. Against all odds, she lived for three more years.
At the beginning of 2023, Elin fell asleep. Her twin sister Ida remained. Now Ida releases the book they started writing together.
– It was not a decision to finish writing the book, it was a must, says Ida Kjos.

Elin Kjos was one of the country’s most famous training profiles and influencers. When she was stricken with incurable lung cancer, hundreds of thousands of people followed her fight on social media. She was praised for inspiring others during her time with the deadly disease.

It has been a year and eight months since Elin fell asleep. Left behind is her twin sister Ida.

– I have experienced a new type of pain, which I did not know you could feel, says Ida Kjos.

For Ida, life has changed a lot after the death of her twin sister.

– It sounds strange, but the time afterwards has also been very nice. In contrast to all the things that hurt so much, the beautiful warms more.

Started a book together

When Elin Kjos died at the beginning of 2023, she and Ida had just started writing a book together. When Elin got worse, the book lay like a monkey. The sisters did not talk about death, but it became clear that it was imminent.

– I asked what she wanted me to do with the book when we understood that there was not much time left. Elin was clear that she wanted me to finish writing. She passed away a week later.

For Ida, it was a matter of course to finish writing the book, and now it has been released. When the twin sisters started the project, Elin narrated, and Ida wrote.

– It was so lovely to do it together, because it was our thing. We had a lot of fun together and it strengthened us.

The book is written in diary form and together the sisters reminisce about their lives after Elin’s diagnosis. When Ida had to continue life without Elin, it became more difficult.

– I felt very alone in that process all of a sudden, Ida Kjos tells Jenny Alversjö.

A book about life

But despite the sister’s passing, the book is not about death, but about life.

– During the last three years she was more alive. That is what I wanted to capture in the book.

As Elin’s illness progressed, the book meant more.

– The more obvious it became to her that she might not stay, I think it became even more important. There is something in leaving a legacy. That you remain.