Birgitta Dahl was born in Råda, Härryda Municipality, Västra Götaland County.
Dahl was elected a Member of Parliament from 1969 to 2002 (until 1970 as a member of the lower house), Minister for Energy Affairs from 1982 to 1990, Minister for the Environment from 1986 to 1991, and Speaker of the Parliament from 1994 to 2002.