The Bizarre Story Of Carl Pettersson, The Swedish Cannibal King

One Of The Wildest Stories From History

Few know the bizarre story of Carl Pettersson—a Swedish sailor who became the unlikely king of a cannibal island.

An Unbelievable Destiny

Born in Sweden on October 23, 1875, Carl Pettersson joined a large family of six siblings. His parents were Carl Wilhelm and Johanna Pettersson—but for unknown reasons, Wilhelm eventually left the family. Little did young Pettersson know, he was destined to tread a shockingly unique path through the world.

Unknown Author,  Wikimedia Commons

He Took Up A Dangerous Career

At the age of 17, Pettersson made a decision that sealed his fate: He began a seafaring career. For the next six years, he honed his skills on the water, eventually leading him to the Bismarck Archipelago of German New Guinea. Here, he landed a job at a German trading house.

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He Traveled Far From Home

This trading house, Neuguinea-Compagnie, had its headquarters in Kokopo, meaning that Pettersson's new life unfolded far away from his homeland. It would also change his life most terrifyingly.

Stefan Krasowski, Flickr

A Doomed Expedition

In December 1904, Pettersson's work brought him face to face with his own mortality. While traveling on the Herzog Johan Albrecht on a recruiting mission, something went horribly wrong.

Allan C. Green, Wikimedia Commons

His Ship Sank

On Christmas day, Pettersson's ship tragically sank, but thankfully, he managed to survive the horrifying ordeal. He wound up seeking refuge on the shores of the island of Tabar. But he wasn't safe just yet.

Earth sciences and image analysis laboratory, Wikimedia Commons

He Washed Up On An Island

You see, Tabar wasn't just any island. After all, its native inhabitants had a reputation for cannibalizing. This likely meant that Pettersson had his guard up. It also meant that he was potential prey. However, if he thought he was done for, he was in for an even bigger surprise.

Picturesque New Guinea, Picryl

They Crowded Around Him

Following the horror show at sea, Pettersson found himself washed up on Tabar's shores, lying beneath a hibiscus bush. The curious locals were immediately upon him, encircling this strange new arrival. But we can only speculate what ran through their minds. Were they frightened of Pettersson? Did they want to slay him or consume him?

The National Library of Australia, Picryl

His Eyes Were His Saving Grace

Reportedly, the islanders decided to spare Pettersson for a bizarre reason—his eyes. His eyes were a stunning shade of light blue, and they fascinated the locals who had never witnessed anyone with such eyes before. That's when they made a surprising move.

British Library, Picryl

They Spared His Life

Instead of condemning Pettersson on the spot, the natives brought the lost sailor to their king, named Lamy. Pettersson's fate lay in the hands of this native royal, but luckily for him, Lamy took a liking to the stranded Swede.

The National Library of Australia, Picryl

They Let Him Stay On The Island

Lamy not only spared Pettersson's life, but gave him permission to stay on Tabar and live among his people. But the craziest twist was yet to come.

British Library, Picryl

He Was Handsome And Strong 

Carl Pettersson was quite easy on the eyes. There's no denying that he was a handsome man with a strong build—and charming to boot. Equipped with such social graces, he managed to win the heart of King Lamy's daughter, Princess Singdo.

British Library, Picryl

He Became A Part Of Their Community

At this point, Pettersson's life had truly gone off the rails. He'd survived a shipwreck only to find himself ingratiated among cannibalistic natives. And crazier still? He'd found his way into the king's daughter's bed. It didn't look like the sailor wanted to return to his former way of life.

Beta Film, Pippi in the South Seas (1970)

He Married The King's Daughter

Somehow, what seemed like a crisis evolved into a new way of life over the years, leading to a romance unlike any other. In 1907, three years after landing on the island, Pettersson wed Princess Singdo. Of all the adventures he'd ever been on, this one changed his life for good.

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

He Was Still An Excellent Business Man

On Tabar, Pettersson pursued a new line of work. No longer married to the sea, he turned his attention to coconuts of all things. The business of trading dried coconuts—or copra, to be more specific—became his new focus in life.

Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

He Built A Plantation

Though it must have been daunting to have his life turned upside-down so dramatically, the former sailor managed to flourish under these new conditions. Working with coconuts turned out to be a great strength of Pettersson's—so much so that he even constructed a profitable coconut plantation known as Teripax.

But he had even higher to climb.

Collectie Wereldmuseum, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

He Was A Respected Member Of Society

Pettersson earned the respect of his fellow islanders by being a stand-up worker, citizen, and employer. He also respected the local traditions. As a result, his neighbors genuinely liked him, and they eventually gave him an unforgettable nickname.

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He Was Known As "Strong Charley"

To those who deeply respected him, Carl Pettersson became known as "Strong Charley," likely inspired by his impressive physicality. Given his popularity, it's no wonder that the people eventually bestowed a magnanimous honor upon him.

Unknown Author,  Wikimedia Commons

He Took The Throne

When King Lamy grew old and passed, Pettersson was the man hoisted to the top of the hierarchy—appointed as the island's brand-new leader and king.

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

It Was A Great Honor 

When a Swedish newspaper later interviewed Pettersson, he expressed just how deeply he appreciated this vote of confidence: "I never imagined that my life would take such a turn, but I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people of Tabar Island".

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

His Plantations Thrived

Carl Pettersson continued to grow his business on Tabar, expanding his estate by establishing more plantations. On Simberi Island, he built Margon, and on Lihir Group islands, he built Londolovit. However, some might argue that his relationship with Princess Singdo was even more fruitful.

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He And The Princess Had Nine Children

After Pettersson and Singdo married, they began growing their family. They wound up welcoming nine children, with one baby tragically passing. On the surface, Pettersson's life looked almost surreal, but sadly, a hard dose of reality upset the peaceful course of his daily life.

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

He Tragically Lost His Wife

In 1921, an awful tragedy shook Pettersson's foundations. His wife perished from puerperal fever, which is also known as childbed fever. This usually results from an infection caused by childbirth or a miscarriage. 

Unfortunately, this was another turning point for Pettersson—but this time, fate would have even crueler twists in store for him.

Beta Film, Pippi in the South Seas (1970)

He Needed To Find Another Mother For His Large Family

Following the loss of Singdo, Pettersson found himself in deep trouble. He needed to find a mother for his eight children. Turns out, that the success of his flourishing business couldn't replace the necessary presence of a wife and mother. 

Beta Film, Pippi in the South Seas (1970)

He Left The Island And Returned To Sweden

The year after losing his wife, Pettersson embarked on a somber adventure. He decided to leave the island and return to Sweden. It was time to look for a new wife who could be a proper stepmother to his large brood.

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

He Brought His New Wife Back To The Island

Back in Sweden, Pettersson managed to open his heart once again—he had no choice. It was here that he met his second wife, Jessie Louisa Simpson, who was Anglo-Swedish. But when he brought his new partner back to the island of Tabar, he was in for the rudest awakening of his life.

Beta Film, Pippi in the South Seas (1970)

He Was Almost Completely Broke

When Carl Pettersson left his life and business behind on the island, his plantation suffered in his absence—so much so that it was on the brink of total bankruptcy. However, this was not a quick fix.

Beta Film, Pippi in the South Seas (1970)

He Struggled To Make A Comeback

Pettersson toiled and fought for his plantation's comeback, but luck was not on his side. He'd also made some dire mistakes—poor investments that were hard to bounce back from. And that wasn't all.

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His Finances Were In Deep Trouble

To make matters worse, the market conditions slid downhill, making Pettersson's financial recovery even more difficult. But when it came to his many woes, this was only the tip of the iceberg.

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Malaria Was Their Greatest Enemy

On top of the nightmare his business faced, both Carl Pettersson and his new wife Jessie Louisa Simpson had to battle malaria on multiple occasions. But for Simpson, her frightening health problems marked the beginning of the end.

Beta Film, Pippi in the South Seas (1970)

He Hit Rock Bottom

In the rollercoaster of Pettersson's life, he was stuck on a downhill trajectory—that is, until he made an unbelievable discovery on Simberi Island.

Beta Film, Pippi in the South Seas (1970)

He Struck Secret Gold

Pettersson truly needed a break from the horrors of his life, and he struck gold on Simberi Island... literally. Just when things were bleaker than ever, he found a gold deposit. Luckily, he was wise enough to keep his lips sealed about it—the gold deposit becoming one of his greatest secrets.

Swiss Banker, Wikimedia Commons

He Needed To Access Better Healthcare

Unfortunately, though gold helped him to recover financially, it couldn't heal his wife from malaria. However, the newfound stability allowed him to leave the island once again. This time, he and Simpson went in search of a cure.

Beta Film, Pippi in the South Seas (1970)

His Wife Returned To Sweden

Together, Pettersson and Simpson first traveled to Australia and then journeyed to Sweden—but their search for a medical miracle ended in more tragedy.

Beta Film, Pippi in the South Seas (1970)

He Couldn't Save Her

In 1935, Pettersson had to say goodbye to his second wife, who perished from malaria and cancer. However, she wasn't the only one who had struggled to cling to the vestiges of her health. Pettersson himself was in deep trouble.

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

His Own Health Took A Terrifying Nosedive

The same year, Pettersson left Tabar—a place that had proved itself ill-equipped to treat his family's medical conditions. Though he hoped Sydney, Australia might have better healthcare, he followed his wives to the grave just two years later.

Beta Film, Pippi in the South Seas (1970)

He Passed At The Age Of 61

In 1937, Carl Pettersson's unbelievable life—and adventure—came to a sad end. He died at the age of 61 of a heart attack. However, his story wasn't over quite yet.

Beta Film, Pippi in the South Seas (1970)

What Happened To The Island?

You see, though Pettersson had drawn his last breath, he was still the king of the island. Following his demise, the island fell into the hands of his heir—his eldest boy, Frederick. 

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

His Son Had A New Role To Step Into

When Pettersson passed, Frederick wasn't close by at all. Instead, he was focused on his own career, studying medicine in New Zealand. But when the news of his father's demise reached his ears, he had an important decision to make.

Beta Film, Pippi in the South Seas (1970)

The New King Of Tabar

As his father's heir, a new path opened up for Frederick. He was now the king of Tabar. Instead of keeping his nose to the grindstone and pursuing medicine, he quit school for good—and set out for his homeland. But the new life he'd chosen wasn't all he hoped it would be.

Beta Film, Pippi in the South Seas (1970)

He Wasn't Prepared For The Daunting Responsibility

Though Frederick had grown up on Tabar, ruling it and living there permanently presented a chilling reality. After all, Frederick was a man well-accustomed to the privileges of living in a developed nation like New Zealand. It likely occurred to him that major sacrifices had to be made.

Beta Film, Pippi in the South Seas (1970)

He Couldn't Make The Same Sacrifices

Unlike his father, who had embraced life on the island and the responsibilities of being king, Frederick wasn't quite up to the same challenge. It wasn't long before he changed his tune. Turns out, he did not want the throne after all.

Beta Film, Pippi in the South Seas (1970)

He Changed His Mind

What had at first seemed like an enterprising opportunity soon soured, turning into a downright burden. Frederick became desperate to rid himself of the island, and approached Sweden, hoping to sell it. Their response, however, was a major blow.

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

He Tried To Sell The Island To Sweden

Sweden didn't want to buy the island off of Frederick. Reportedly, he wanted to be done with Tabar so badly that he even tried to pay Sweden to take it off his hands. But all of his efforts were in vain.

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

The End Of The Pettersson Family's Run

At the end of the day, the fate of Tabar came under the responsibility of Australia, officially marking the end of the Pettersson family's hold on the island. But when it came to Carl Pettersson's enduring legacy, it wasn't about to fade out any time soon.

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

Documentation Preserved His Story

Not even dying could erase Carl Pettersson's amazing story. You see, back in 1913, a visitor came to the island. Count Brigen Moerner was a Swedish diplomat who wanted to know more about the sailor's unbelievable story.

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

Photographs Bring Pettersson's Story To Life

When Moerner arrived on the island, he was able to witness Pettersson's new life firsthand. He also made sure to properly document his entire experience, capturing amazing photographs of Pettersson and his large family.

Moerner's work would eventually captivate the minds of Swedes back in Pettersson's homeland.

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He Became A Popular Historical Figure

Moerner ensured that Pettersson's story lived on. His documentation also meant that the former sailor became quite popular in Sweden once people caught wind of his wild adventure and shocking new life. But unfortunately, not every story had the ring of truth to it.

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

He Told Tall Tales

According to some sources, Carl Pettersson had a habit of embellishing his personal stories and was known to twist the truth in order to make them more exciting. And so when it comes to this historical figure, it can be hard to draw the line between fact and fiction.

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

Pirates And Sharks?

Pettersson told wild stories about his encounters with bloodthirsty sharks and dangerous pirates, but certain details had to be taken with a grain of salt. 

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

He Was An Inspiration

Still, though some of his stories may have been tall tales at best, there was no denying that the bare bones of Pettersson's own life story were undoubtedly incredible. After all, it was he who inspired a character from one of the greatest children's stories of all time.

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

He Lives On In "Pippi Longstocking"

Most people have heard of the popular children's book Pippi Longstocking, written by Astrid Lindgren. It follows the adventures of a nine-year-old, redheaded girl, named Pippi Longstocking. But how does Carl Pettersson fit into this story?

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

He Jumped Off The Page

You see, the character Pippi Longstocking has a peculiar father—a captain and sailor who disappeared at sea. However, readers later learn that he has become the ruler of a South Sea island. Sound familiar? Yes, Pettersson was the direct influence for Pippi's father, Ephraim Longstocking.

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

His Fascinating Story Lives On

From his dramatic shipwreck to his ascendency to King on Tabar island, Carl Pettersson lived a life he could never have predicted for himself. He seemed to move wherever life took him, adjusting his sails to the tragedy and great fortune thrown his way. To this day, his story continues to be a source of great fascination and wonder.

Columbia, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)