Mark Levengood is not just known as the cozy guy everyone loves during Christmastime; he's also becoming widely visible as the recently solo host of this year's Christmas Eve festivities on SVT after his lengthy marriage to comedian Jonas Gardell. For Levengood, 60, this season is filled with new emotions and experiences.
During this year's Christmas Eve broadcast, Levengood will light the festive candles, fulfilling what many thought was his role all along. Strangely enough, this is his first time as the official Christmas host, and he has already faced amusing anecdotes from fans who recall seeing him do this before. "People come up to me on the street insisting I've done this before. When I tell them I haven’t, they look at me like I'm pulling their leg!" he said during his candid interview with Aftonbladet.
Levengood's post-divorce life marks the beginning of uncharted territory. He and Gardell, who separated earlier this year after 38 years of marriage, are certainly not typical guests at marital functions anymore. The news of their divorce caught many by surprise, leading to notifications even across borders—"It was quite unexpected, even receiving news alerts about it from Norway, Denmark, and Finland!" he recalled.
Reflecting on the divorce, Levengood expressed the universal sorrow of love gone awry, stating, "It’s always sorrowful when you promise to love someone for life and it doesn't turn out as you hoped. But this is something many people share." Today, Levengood finds himself embracing singlehood, albeit surrounded by romantic propositions. "I do get many offers, and it’s flattering,” he reveals, even if he’s currently not pursuing anyone seriously.
Despite facing these emotional hurdles, Levengood has chosen to create new anchors for himself. Instead of heading to a bachelor pad, he moved to lavish digs—a bright, four-room apartment spanning over 150 square meters right by the Royal Palace. With such exquisite surroundings now valued at around 16 million kronor, it’s quite the change from the life he shared with Gardell, characterized by high-profile glamour and visible love.
Reflecting fondly, the pair had begun their love story at the Storkyrkobadet, where Gardell first proposed on their first date. Registered as partners by 1995, they married officially six years later. Their commitment brought two children, Amos and Olga, who the couple chose to keep away from the limelight. "To this day, I try to work out how to balance fame and family life," Levengood stated.
Settling down alone has its quirks, especially when one does not expect unwelcome guests. Recently, Levengood found himself battling with a rude surprise—a rat invading his luxurious new haven. "I had my door open and suddenly, I found myself with this unexpected visitor! I locked it away in the bedroom and fled to the hotel. I absolutely hate rats!" he recounted with exasperation but humor. Even with these slight misfortunes, Levengood remains optimistic about his new life.
This year’s holiday is especially poignant for Levengood. After years sharing this season with Gardell, hosting this festive gala marks not just continuity but also change. "I can't just stop loving Jonas, even when things change," he said, hinting at how the enduring love persists beyond the limits of their marriage.
The couple's separation inevitably spurred questions about their future relationships, to which many theorized about Levengood's dating life since the split. “Dating is the furthest thing from my mind now,” he admits, firmly stating his desire to focus on personal healing and rediscovery rather than rushing to forge new romantic ties.
Interestingly, even during his first Christmas as host, Levengood faced some scrutiny when, live on air, he accidentally revealed a personal item—a visible tobacco pouch—during the broadcast. His slip sparked immediate attention, leading to apologies from SVT’s press team for the mishap. Levengood took it light-heartedly, using the incident to share his habit with audiences. “My kids often push me to quit, yet when I say, ‘Kids, if the biggest problem you have with your dad is my snus, then you’ve certainly got it easy!’ they seem to pause.”
Although he embraces new opportunities following his divorce, the warmth of Mark Levengood's presence will remain steadfast, as he continues to bond with audiences celebrating Christmas Eve, deeply entrenched with stories of love, loss, and humor. With his unique connection to the public, Levengood stands not just as the season's joyful face, but as someone many relate to—someone learning to navigate life anew and crafting special holiday moments even amid turbulence.
