Family of Freysteinn JOHANNSSON and Sigríður Sólborg EYJÓLFSDÓTTIR

Freysteinn was born in Siglufjörður on June 25, the son of Friðthóra Stefánsdóttir, a teacher, and Jóhann Þorvaldsson, a school principal. Freysteinn grew up in Siglufjörður, but graduated from the Secondary School in Laugarvatn in 1966.

He was a journalist at Morgunblaðin from 1967 to 1969, when he went to study at the Norwegian School of Journalism in Oslo. After completing his studies in 1970, he returned to Morgunblaðin and worked there for the next three years or until he became the editor of Alððublaðin 1973-1975. He was the editorial representative of Tímans from 1975 to 1977, when he returned to Morgunblaðin .

Freysteinn became Morgunblaðinn's news director in 1981 together with Magnús Finnsson and Sigtrygg Sigtryggsson, and he held that position for years or until he became deputy editor. After that, he focused on various writings for Sunndagsblað Morgunblaðin until his retirement in 2009.

Freyststeinn was the press representative for the World Chess Championship Duel between Fischer and Spassky in 1972. Following that, he wrote the book Fischer v Spassky – the story of the World Chess Championship Duel , together with Grandmaster Friðrik Ólafsson.