Malmfred was born to Grand Prince Mstislav I of Kiev and Princess Christina Ingesdotter of Sweden, paternal granddaughter of Gytha of Wessex and maternal granddaughter of King Inge the Elder of Sweden.

[1][2] Snorre Sturlasson called her Malmfred Haraldsdotter of Holmgard, which was a Norwegian version of her name.

Her sister, Ingeborg of Kiev, was married to the Danish prince Canute Lavard.

[2] In 1130, her ex-husband's illegitimate son became king, and she left for Denmark, where she married Erik Emune.

In 1131, she arranged the marriage between her former stepson Magnus IV of Norway and her sister's daughter, Christine of Denmark; they were married in 1133.