 Nordström was a sister to dentist and entomologist Frithiof Nordström as well as aunt to lyricist Gunilla Sandberg.She was a lesbian, which at the time was punishable by law and classified as an illness, and had a relationship with Carin Frisell that lasted her entire life.She wrote for Svenska Dagbladet from 1911–1917 under the pen name "Bansai".