Norway‘s Wealthiest Man, Olav Thon, Dies; Billionaire’s Estate to Be Divided Among Charity and 30 Family Members
Olav Thon, Norway’s wealthiest man, passed away on November 16, leaving behind a vast fortune to be divvied up between his namesake charitable foundation and 30 family members, as revealed by Finansavisen.
The estate’s administration will be handled by lawyer Rolf W. Markussen, who confirmed his role as executor in the testament to Finansavisen. "I can confirm that I have been appointed as executor in Mr. Thon’s testament," said Markussen.
The exact value of Thon’s estate remains unclear, with ongoing efforts to assess the total worth. In 2022, Thon’s fortune was estimated at around NOK 24 billion (approximately USD 2.5 billion).
Markussen noted that "the vast majority of the estate will go to the Olav Thon Foundation," with the remaining portion to be distributed among the 30 named beneficiaries, including several of Thon’s relatives. Finansavisen reports that these family members are set to inherit a substantial sum, estimated to be in the millions of Norwegian krone.
Olav Thon, who started his career as a plumber, went on to build a property empire that included prime real estate in Norway and Sweden. His fortune made him one of the richest people in the world, according to Forbes. Thon’s wealth has been tied to his real estate holdings, including shopping centers and office buildings in major Norwegian cities.
