You may have heard of Markus Persson, the man who created Minecraft, one of the most popular games in the world. But do you know about Elin Zetterstrand, his ex-wife? She’s not a celebrity or someone who loves being in the spotlight — but her story is both inspiring and surprising.
Elin is a smart, creative, and private woman. She once played a big part in the Minecraft world and was even known by her username “ez” on the game’s servers. She also helped behind the scenes during the early days of the game. Today, many people are still curious about her. Who is she really? What is she doing now? Why did her marriage to a billionaire game creator end so quickly?
In this article, we’ll explore the full life story of Elin Zetterstrand — from her early days in Sweden to her marriage with Markus Persson, her career, health struggles, and the quiet life she lives now. Let’s start from the beginning.
Elin Zetterstrand’s Early Life
Elin Zetterstrand was born on November 9, 1981, in Stockholm, Sweden. Not much is known about her early childhood, because she has always been a private person. Her parents have never been in the public eye, and she hasn’t shared much about them. But we do know she grew up in Sweden with her family.
Elin has one sibling, a brother named Kristoffer Zetterstrand. He is a well-known artist and helped design the paintings inside Minecraft. His work is a mix of classic art and video game-style graphics. You might have seen his art while walking around your Minecraft world — that’s Kristoffer’s touch!
Growing up, Elin seemed to enjoy both technology and creativity. She would later turn these interests into a career.
Elin Zetterstrand’s Education and Skills
Elin studied in Stockholm, where she focused on computers and programming. She earned a degree in computer programming, which opened the door to many opportunities in the tech world. Her love for coding and computers helped her build a strong career as a programmer.
But Elin didn’t stop there. In 2020, she also studied Philosophy of Science, showing that she enjoys learning and thinking deeply about how science works. She’s clearly someone who values both logic and creativity — a rare and special mix.
Thanks to her education and skills, Elin was able to join the growing world of online games and tech projects, including Minecraft.
Her Career as a Computer Programmer
Elin worked as a computer programmer in Sweden. She was also involved in the early development of Minecraft. At one point, she was even the administrator of Minecraft, helping manage the game and its community.
If you played Minecraft in the early days, you might remember seeing the name “ez” on popular servers. That was Elin! She was a part of the gaming world not just behind the scenes, but also as a player. The name “ez” even appeared in a special birthday splash message on Minecraft’s home screen — it said, “Happy Birthday, ez!” That was Markus’s way of celebrating her birthday in the game.
Elin’s love for computers and gaming made her a respected figure in the Minecraft community, even if she didn’t want fame.
How Elin Met Markus Persson (Notch)
Elin and Markus Persson met before Minecraft became a big hit. They dated for several years — about four years — before getting married. Their relationship was private, but we know that Markus proposed to Elin during a vacation in Indonesia, which sounds romantic and thoughtful.
At that time, Markus was becoming more and more famous because of Minecraft. People were starting to notice him, and as a result, they also became curious about Elin. Still, she stayed quiet and avoided the spotlight.
They seemed like a strong couple — both loved computers, both were smart, and both were creative. So when they announced their marriage, many fans were excited.
Elin Zetterstrand and Markus Persson’s Marriage
Elin and Markus got married on August 13, 2011, in a small and private wedding ceremony. They were together during one of the most important times in Markus’s life — when Minecraft was becoming a global success.
Their marriage was short, but it had happy moments. They supported each other and welcomed a baby daughter just a few months after their wedding.
But fame, pressure, and stress can affect even the strongest relationships. Their lives started changing quickly. Markus was dealing with the success of Minecraft, and Elin had her own path to follow. Sadly, their marriage didn’t last long.
Why Elin Zetterstrand and Markus Divorced
Just one year after getting married, Elin and Markus filed for divorce. It surprised many fans. The divorce was filed in July 2012 and finalized in March 2013.
Neither of them shared the full reason, but Markus later tweeted that “getting everything” made it hard to find purpose and made human connections difficult. He admitted that even with fame and money, he felt lonely and isolated. These tweets showed how hard it was to handle sudden success.
Elin, on the other hand, chose not to speak publicly about the breakup. She quietly stepped away from the spotlight, choosing privacy and peace over attention. Since then, she hasn’t shared details about her dating life or personal struggles, but we do know she stayed focused on raising their daughter.
Their Daughter, Minna Almina Zelda Zetterstrand
Elin Zetterstrand and Markus Persson had one child together — a daughter named Minna Almina Zelda Zetterstrand, born in 2012. The name is quite special. It includes two names inspired by Nintendo characters — Almina and Zelda. This shows the couple’s love for video games and creativity.
After the divorce, Elin became the main caregiver for their daughter. She focused on raising Minna quietly, away from public attention. Markus helps by paying monthly child support, which is said to be around £4,000 to $5,300 USD.
Even though Elin is a public figure in some ways, she has always protected her daughter’s privacy. Not much is known about Minna’s current life, and that’s probably how Elin wants it — simple, safe, and peaceful.
Elin Zetterstrand’s Life After Divorce
After separating from Markus, Elin made a clear choice — she stepped away from fame. She didn’t chase the spotlight or use her ex-husband’s name to become famous. Instead, she decided to live a quiet life in Sweden.
She continued working as a computer programmer, but kept her job details private. Elin also stayed active in the Minecraft community for a while under her username “ez,” but slowly pulled back from the public world.
Many fans still remember her for being part of Minecraft’s early story. But Elin’s focus shifted to personal peace, health, and family — and that makes her journey inspiring in a different way.
Her Health Condition: Living with ME/CFS
One important thing to know about Elin Zetterstrand is that she has ME/CFS, which stands for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This is a long-term health condition that causes deep tiredness, weakness, and other symptoms. It’s not just being “tired” — it makes everyday tasks feel very hard.
Elin has used her Twitter account (@ezchili) to speak out about this illness. In 2019, she even posted about writing a paper in her Philosophy of Science class where she criticized a well-known study that ignored real ME/CFS data. She cares deeply about medical honesty and wants people with this illness to be taken seriously.
Because of this condition, Elin sometimes has to limit her activities. But she still uses her voice online to raise awareness and support others who live with ME/CFS.
Elin Zetterstrand’s Net Worth and Income
Even though Elin Zetterstrand is not a celebrity, many people wonder about her net worth. Based on reports, her net worth is between $200,000 and $1 million, and some sources even suggest up to $5 million.
Her main source of income has always been her work as a programmer. She also earned money in the past as a Minecraft administrator and may have received some financial support after the divorce, especially child support from Markus.
There were rumors that Elin signed a prenup agreement, meaning she didn’t receive any part of Markus’s billionaire fortune after the divorce. Still, she seems to live comfortably and has stayed independent, choosing a simple and private lifestyle over luxury.
Elin Zetterstrand on Social Media
Elin used to be active on Twitter under the handle @ezchili. Her tweets mostly focused on science, health, and personal thoughts. She never posted flashy pictures or tried to build a big fanbase. Her social media was more about real conversations and awareness.
In the Minecraft community, she was known as “ez”, and many long-time players still remember seeing her online. The splash screen that once said “Happy Birthday, ez!” is something many fans will never forget.
In recent years, Elin has become more quiet online. She’s not on Instagram or other social apps. This matches her overall goal — to keep her life private and peaceful.
Where Is Elin Zetterstrand Now?
As of 2025, Elin Zetterstrand lives in Sweden, away from media attention. She is focused on her health, raising her daughter, and working privately in the tech world.
She doesn’t give interviews, and she avoids public events. But even though she’s not in the news, many people still search for her name. Why? Because her story connects with many of us — she shows that you can walk away from fame, focus on what matters, and live life your own way.
Elin Zetterstrand may not be a celebrity in the usual sense, but her quiet strength has made her someone people still admire.
Final Thoughts
Elin Zetterstrand’s life is a reminder that not every story needs the spotlight. She was once married to a billionaire game developer, helped with the growth of Minecraft, and became known in the gaming world as “ez.” But after the marriage ended, she made a bold choice — to live simply, quietly, and honestly.
She focused on raising her daughter, speaking out about her health, and keeping her personal life private. In a world where many people chase fame, Elin chose peace.
That quiet power — of walking away, of staying strong, of being true to yourself — is what makes Elin Zetterstrand’s story truly special.
