[1][2][3] Ekström had a Bachelor's degree and was a literary critic for Expressen from 1961 to 1983, and a worked at Sydsvenskan from 1974 to 1982.

[4] During her life, she held several positions in cultural institutions in Sweden, including membership of the Swedish Film Review Council (1960–1967), the Radio Board (1967–1970), as a board member of the Swedish Film Industry (1974–1977) and vice-chairperson of Svenska PEN (1968–1981).

[4] Ekström made her literary debut in 1960 with the short story collection Aftnar i S:t Petersburg.

[3] in 1990, she published a collection of poetry titled Skärmar (Screens) to critical acclaim.

[6] She notably translated several of Virginia Woolf's books into Swedish, including Orlando, and several stories.