Background
She was born in Paris to a Norwegian father and Romanian mother. Björnson was born in Paris on 16 February 1949. Her father Bjorn was a businessman from Norway.
Her mother, Mia Prodan, was from Romania.
She was born in Paris to a Norwegian father and Romanian mother. Björnson was born in Paris on 16 February 1949. Her father Bjorn was a businessman from Norway.
Her mother, Mia Prodan, was from Romania.
Björnson grew up in London. She studied at the Lycée Français, and then at the Byam Shaw School of Art and at the Central School of Art and Design.
Both were from theatrical families. She designed sets and costumes for theatre, ballet and opera. Björnson was course director for Theatre Design at the Central School of Art and Design.
She died in London on 13 December 2002.
She was 53.
In 2006, the refurbished Young Vic opened a new studio theatre named the "Maria" in honour of Björnson. The first performance there was Love and Money by Dennis Kelly, directed by Matthew Dunster and designed by Anna Fleischle.
In the 2011 25th Anniversary Concert of The Phantom of The Opera, the chandelier, considered Maria"s greatest stage triumph, was named Maria in honour of her with the name inlaid on the inside of the $2M set piece.