From 1983 to 1987 she was a government minister, first of education, then of health, social affairs and communication.
Ragnhildur was born 26 May 1930 in Reykjavík, the daughter of Helgi Tómasson, a physician and longtime chairman of the Scouts organisation Bandalag íslenskra skáta.
She was elected member of the Althing in 1956 as a candidate of the Independence Party.
[3][5] She was again a member of parliament from 1983 in the Lower House until 1991, when the previous two-chamber system was abolished.
From 1985 until July 1987, she was Minister of Health, Social Affairs and Communication.