The four years she spent with her husband in Zimbabwe (1993–97) significantly influenced her writing, increasing her interest in women's rights and gender disparities.

[1][2] Born on 22 March 1946 at Tønder in the south of Jutland, Gretelise Holm was the second-oldest child of the family's eight children.

She was brought up in a poverty-stricken home by a deeply religious mother, who nevertheless was successful in having the municipality cover her daughter's educational expenses.

[1] In 1981, she published her first book, Ud går du nu på livets vej: om at være ung (transl.

From 1993 to 1997, Holm lived in Zimbabwe with her husband which significantly influenced her writing and increased her interest in women's rights and gender disparities.