stein erik hagen yacht

Stein Erik Hagen

Chairman of the Board +47 24 13 30 00

Degree from the Retail Institute (now the Norwegian School of Retail)  

Mr Hagen was first elected to the Board in 2004, has been Chairman of the Board since 2006, and is up for election in 2022. Mr Hagen established the first business of his own in 1976 and he and his children jointly own the family company, Canica AS, and other companies. He is active in a number of the family companies and sits on the Board of the family’s charitable foundations. Mr Hagen is member of the Board of the Byrd Hoffman Watermill Foundation in New York and the Board of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, USA and member of the Spine Leadership Council at the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York. Mr Hagen is Chairman of the Nomination Committee of Anora Group Plc and member of the Board of The World Economic Forum Family Business Community.

Executive Team

Torstein Hagen

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Torstein “Tor” Hagen   has served as Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer of Viking since our founding in 1997. At the time, Viking was established with the purchase of four ships and the vision that travel could be more destination focused and culturally immersive. Since then, Viking has grown to a fleet of more than 90 vessels, offering river, ocean and expedition voyages on all seven continents.

A Norway native, Tor has extensive experience in the shipping and cruise industry and served as Chief Executive Officer of Bergen Line from 1976 to 1983 and of Royal Viking Line from 1981 to 1984. He was a member of the board of directors of Holland America Line/HAL Holding N.V. from 1985 to 2015, and he was a member of the board of directors of Kloster Cruise Ltd. from 1993 to 1994. Tor was formerly a Partner at McKinsey & Company.

Tor has developed a passion and appreciation for science and technology throughout the course of his education and career. As the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship, he studied computers at Wesleyan University. He holds a degree in physics from the Norwegian Institute of Technology, where he completed his Master’s Thesis related to artificial intelligence and machine learning. He also holds an M.B.A from Harvard University.

Leah Talactac

Chief Financial Officer

Leah Talactac  is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Viking, responsible for the company’s financial functions, including accounting, audit, corporate finance, tax, and investor relations. In this role, she leads and provides strategic direction to a global team of talented finance professionals and problem solvers who partner with business leaders to execute the company’s growth strategy. Leah also oversees corporate governance and is a liaison to the board of directors.

Her career spans more than 25 years of experience in financial management, business leadership, and corporate strategy. Leah has held a number of additional senior roles at Viking including Group Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. Prior to joining Viking in 2006, Leah was a Manager at Ernst & Young LLP in Los Angeles. She holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Southern California, Leventhal School of Accounting.

Executive Vice President, Finance

Linh Banh , Executive Vice President of Finance, is responsible for worldwide corporate financial planning and analysis, capital markets, and human resources in the US. Since joining the company in 2006, Linh has held multiple positions within the accounting and finance department and has played an instrumental role in key corporate milestones, including three investment rounds, multiple debt issuances and the initial public offering in 2024.

Prior to joining Viking, Linh served as Assistant Controller for Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. from July 2005 to August 2006. She also served as a Senior Auditor at Ernst & Young LLP in Los Angeles. Linh has a B.A. in business economics with a minor in accounting from the University of California, Los Angeles. 

Executive Vice President, Head of Business Development

Jeff Dash , Executive Vice President and Head of Business Development, is a seasoned travel industry veteran with over three decades of experience. In his current role, Jeff is responsible for all aspects of planning and operations for Viking’s global fleet of ocean and expedition ships that take guests to more than 300 cities around the world. Jeff has meaningfully contributed to Viking’s growth and product expansion over the years, including the launch of ocean cruising in 2015, expansion into the Asian market in 2016 and ongoing advancements in eco-friendly propulsion systems run on hydrogen fuel cells. Jeff also manages Viking’s global technology team and is credited with developing and implementing the organization’s IT strategy. 

During his decades in the industry, Jeff has built expertise in a wide range of functions including finance, accounting, ship operations, technology, and marketing. Prior to joining Viking in 2001, Jeff held various executive and senior management roles at Princess and Renaissance Cruises.  Born and raised in Miami Beach, Jeff received a B.S. in accounting from Florida International University.

Karine Hagen

Executive Vice President, Product

Karine Hagen , Executive Vice President of Product, and the daughter of Torstein Hagen, has served in varying capacities at Viking since its inception. Widely recognized as the face of the brand in Viking’s television advertisements and cultural enrichment films, Karine is responsible for Viking’s overall branding as well as product development.

Prior to Viking, Karine held positions with Arthur Andersen, J. Walter Thompson, Genesys and Telenor. She has degrees in Soviet Studies and Economics from Wellesley College, an M.A. in Russia and East European Studies from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from BI Norwegian Business School.

Anton Hofmann

Executive Vice President, Group Operations

Anton “Tony” Hofmann  serves as Executive Vice President responsible for Viking’s worldwide river fleet operations. In his role, he leads strategic planning for the river fleet, including new build planning, design, contracting, and ship financing, as well as all day-to-day operations related to the river fleet. Tony has more than thirty years of experience in the cruise industry and has worked with Viking in various senior management functions since its inception in 1997.

Prior to joining Viking, Tony served as Operations Manager for I.C.H. International Cruise and Hotel Management, where he supervised the upgrading of operational standards for eight river vessels in Russia and Ukraine. Tony was born and raised in Austria and has a degree in hotel management from The Hotel Management School in Innsbruck, Austria.

Milton Hugh

Executive Vice President, Sales

Milton Hugh , Viking’s Executive Vice President of Sales, oversees the company’s North American sales department and worldwide yield management, including call centers in the US, South Africa and Philippines, air operations and travel agent partnerships. Since joining Viking in 2006, Milton has served in a number of capacities, including accounting, finance, and revenue management. He has helped scale the business through several strategic initiatives, including the establishment of call centers in South Africa and Philippines and the launch of Viking’s Mississippi product.

Prior to joining Viking, Milton was employed by Grand Circle Travel Corporation from April 2002 to September 2006, last serving as Senior Vice President of Planning. He also worked at Renaissance Cruises from June 1996 to September 2001, last serving as Director of Strategic Planning and Treasury Operations. He has a B.S. in finance and an M.B.A. from the University of Miami in Florida.

Richard Marnell

Executive Vice President, Marketing

Richard Marnell  is Viking’s Executive Vice president of Marketing, leading a wide range of functions, including strategy, database, consumer insights, digital, creative, advertising, communications and public relations. He also oversees Viking’s international sales offices in Australia and the United Kingdom. Since he joined Viking in 2007, the company has grown exponentially; a significant portion of that growth can be attributed to Viking’s marketing efforts, including its highly visible sponsorship of PBS’ MASTERPIECE.

A Boston native, Richard has more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry. Prior to Viking, he spent nearly a decade at Grand Circle Corporation, ultimately serving as Vice President of Product Marketing. He also served as Operating Vice President of Direct Marketing for The J. Jill Group, Inc. Richard holds a B.A. in Economics from Fordham University and an M.B.A. from Babson College.

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Management and Board

An overview of the members of Orkla’s Board of Directors and the Management Team.

Board of Directors

The Orkla Board of Directors consists of seven members elected by the shareholders and four members elected by the employees.

Members elected by the shareholders

Stein Erik Hagen

Chairman of the board.

Liselott Kilaas

Member of the board.

Peter Agnefjäll

Christina Fagerberg

Rolv Erik Ryssdal

Caroline Marie Hagen Kjos

Bengt Arve Rem

Members elected by the employees.

Terje Utstrand

Chief trade union representative.

Roger Vangen

Orkla foods norge.

Ingrid Sofie Nielsen

Orkla management team.

Nils K. Selte

President and ceo, orkla asa, investments.

Atle Vidar Nagel Johansen

Evp & investment executive/ceo orkla foods europe.

Hege Holter Brekke

Evp & investment executive.

Audun Stensvold

Maria Syse-Nybraaten

Øyvind Torpp

Group functions.

Arve Regland

Evp finance and cfo.

Christer Grönberg

Evp human resources.

Camilla Tellefsdal Robstad

Evp legal and compliance.

Håkon Mageli

Evp communication and corporate affairs, orkla asa.

Stein Erik Hagen

Chairman of the Board

Degree from the Retail Institute (now the Norwegian School of Retail)  

Mr Hagen was first elected to the Board in 2004, has been Chairman of the Board since 2006, and is up for election in 2022. Mr Hagen established the first business of his own in 1976 and he and his children jointly own the family company, Canica AS, and other companies. He is active in a number of the family companies and sits on the Board of the family’s charitable foundations. Mr Hagen is member of the Board of the Byrd Hoffman Watermill Foundation in New York and the Board of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, USA and member of the Spine Leadership Council at the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York. Mr Hagen is Chairman of the Nomination Committee of Anora Group Plc and member of the Board of The World Economic Forum Family Business Community.

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Meet the richest person in 33 countries around the world

Net worth: $4.9 billion

Forbes rank: 270

Background: Akhmetov\'s net worth is comprised of DTEK, his energy company, and Metinvest, his steel producer. Recently, his wealth has suffered from weak demand and slumping prices for his steel and iron ore assets. The ongoing fighting in Ukraine has also hurt his net worth.

The richest person in Ukraine: Rinat Akhmetov

Background: Akhmetov's net worth is comprised of DTEK, his energy company, and Metinvest, his steel producer. Recently, his wealth has suffered from weak demand and slumping prices for his steel and iron ore assets. The ongoing fighting in Ukraine has also hurt his net worth.

Net worth: $6.1 billion

Forbes rank: 201

Background: Hart\'s company, Reynolds Group holdings, manufactures packaging material. In 2014, he sold the subsidiary SIG to Canadian billionaire Gerald Schwartz’ Onex Group for $4.7 billion. Hart dropped out of school when he was 16, and once worked as a truck driver.

The richest person in New Zealand: Graeme Hart

Background: Hart's company, Reynolds Group holdings, manufactures packaging material. In 2014, he sold the subsidiary SIG to Canadian billionaire Gerald Schwartz’ Onex Group for $4.7 billion. Hart dropped out of school when he was 16, and once worked as a truck driver.

Background: Hart's company, Reynolds Group holdings, manufactures packaging material. In 2014, he sold the subsidiary SIG to Canadian billionaire Gerald Schwartz’ Onex Group for $4.7 billion. Hart dropped out of school when he was 16, and once worked as a truck driver.

Net worth: $6.5 billion

Forbes rank: 183

Background: Oppenheimer inherited his family\'s portion of the De Beers diamond company. He left in 2012, selling his 40% stake to mining conglomerate Anglo American for $5.1 billion. Oppenheimer also helped launch the Diamond Route, which set aside 250,000 hectares of land around diamond mines.

The richest person in South Africa: Nicky Oppenheimer

Background: Oppenheimer inherited his family's portion of the De Beers diamond company. He left in 2012, selling his 40% stake to mining conglomerate Anglo American for $5.1 billion. Oppenheimer also helped launch the Diamond Route, which set aside 250,000 hectares of land around diamond mines.

Net worth: $8.2 billion

Forbes rank: 138

Background: In 1970, Gianluigi Aponte and his wife Rafaela launched Mediterranean Shipping (now called MSC) which stands as the world\'s second biggest container shipping company. Aponte also runs MSC Cruise along with his wife, who designs the interiors of the ships.

The richest person in Switzerland: Gianluigi & Rafaela Aponte

Background: In 1970, Gianluigi Aponte and his wife Rafaela launched Mediterranean Shipping (now called MSC) which stands as the world's second biggest container shipping company. Aponte also runs MSC Cruise along with his wife, who designs the interiors of the ships.

Net worth: $12.8 billion

Forbes rank: 68

Background: As the grandson of the inventor of Legos, Kristiansen ran the company for 25 years before stepping down in 2004. He currently owns 75% of the company. Kristiansen also owns 30% of Merlin Entertainments, which went public at the end of 2013 and operates attractions like the Madame Tussaud\'s wax museums.

The richest person in Denmark: Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen

Background: As the grandson of the inventor of Legos, Kristiansen ran the company for 25 years before stepping down in 2004. He currently owns 75% of the company. Kristiansen also owns 30% of Merlin Entertainments, which went public at the end of 2013 and operates attractions like the Madame Tussaud's wax museums.

Net worth: $8 billion

Forbes rank: 142

Background: Oil tanker and shipping tycoon Fredriksen owns several oil tanks that have led to surging shares in his company, Frontline Ltd. In the last year, he sold most of his stake in LNG shipper Golar for a whopping $1.8 billion, and is planning a merger between bulk shipping companies Golden Ocean and Knightsbridge.

The richest person in Cyprus: John Fredriksen

Net worth: $10.7 billion

Forbes rank: 98

Background: Mateschitz is the creator of Red Bull. He started the company back in 1987, and today it operates in 166 different countries around the world. He also owns stakes in two soccer teams, a Formula One racing team, and a luxury resort in Fiji. He has a collection of historic aircraft and a personal submarine.

The richest person in Austria: Dietrich Mateschitz

Net worth: $9.1 billion

Forbes rank: 116

Background: Lee Kun-Hee is the chairman of Samsung, which accounts for around one-fourth of South Korea\'s $1.4 trillion economy, according to Forbes. After being hospitalized due to a heart attack in 2014, Lee has begun planning the succession of his company by his son, Jay Y. Lee.

The richest person in South Korea: Lee Kun-Hee

Background: Lee Kun-Hee is the chairman of Samsung, which accounts for around one-fourth of South Korea's $1.4 trillion economy, according to Forbes. After being hospitalized due to a heart attack in 2014, Lee has begun planning the succession of his company by his son, Jay Y. Lee.

Net worth: $8.6 billion

Forbes rank: 128

Background: Kuok made fortunes in shipping, palm oil, cane sugar fields, and properties in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. He also has a stake in Wilmar, the world\'s largest listed palm oil company, and raised $300 million through the Singapore listing of his PACC Offshore Services Holdings (Asia\'s largest vessel operator for offshore oil and gas exploration) in 2014.

The richest person in Malaysia: Robert Kuok

Background: Kuok made fortunes in shipping, palm oil, cane sugar fields, and properties in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. He also has a stake in Wilmar, the world's largest listed palm oil company, and raised $300 million through the Singapore listing of his PACC Offshore Services Holdings (Asia's largest vessel operator for offshore oil and gas exploration) in 2014.

Net worth: $12.6 billion

Forbes rank: 69

Background: Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken took over the beer company Heineken when her father, Henry Heineken, passed away, leaving her his fortune. With a 25% controlling stake in the company, she remains relatively out of the spotlight.

The richest person in the Netherlands: Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken

Net worth: $8.3 billion

Forbes rank: 136

Background: Rinehart acquired her wealth through the inheritance of her father\'s mining assets. She\'s the executive chairman of Hancock Prospecting, and in March 2014, she finalized a $7.2 billion deal to develop one of the world\'s largest iron-ore mines, Roy Hill, according to Forbes.

The richest person in Australia: Gina Rinehart

Background: Rinehart acquired her wealth through the inheritance of her father's mining assets. She's the executive chairman of Hancock Prospecting, and in March 2014, she finalized a $7.2 billion deal to develop one of the world's largest iron-ore mines, Roy Hill, according to Forbes.

Net worth: $8.5 billion

Forbes rank: 131

Background: Sarmiento started out in the construction industry and later expanded his empire into financial services. His company, Grupo Aval, which he still chairs at 82 years old, now controls one-third of all banking in Colombia.

The richest person in Colombia: Luis Carlos Sarmiento

Net worth: $16.8 billion

Forbes rank: 45

Background: Chearavanont leads the Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, which is one of the largest producers of animal feed and livestock in the world today. The fortune is shared with his three brothers and other relatives.

The richest person in Thailand: Dhanin Chearavanont

Net worth: $11.9 billion

Forbes rank: 79

Background: Sy worked at his family\'s convenience store before opening his first business, which was a footwear shop. After merging with mall operator SM Prime Holdings, Sy has seen the value of his publicly traded conglomerates — SM Investments and SM Prime Holdings — increase by 17% and 20% over the last year. Recent growth plans include the building of 10 mixed-use townships by 2020.

The richest person in the Philippines: Henry Sy and family

Background: Sy worked at his family's convenience store before opening his first business, which was a footwear shop. After merging with mall operator SM Prime Holdings, Sy has seen the value of his publicly traded conglomerates — SM Investments and SM Prime Holdings — increase by 17% and 20% over the last year. Recent growth plans include the building of 10 mixed-use townships by 2020.

Background: Sy worked at his family's convenience store before opening his first business, which was a footwear shop. After merging with mall operator SM Prime Holdings, Sy has seen the value of his publicly traded conglomerates — SM Investments and SM Prime Holdings — increase by 17% and 20% over the last year. Recent growth plans include the building of 10 mixed-use townships by 2020.

Net worth: $14.3 billion

Forbes rank: 57

Background: The Hinduja brothers control the Hinduja Group, a multinational conglomerate that works in everything from banking and transportation to technology and media. Originally started by their father, the group is co-chaired today by siblings Srichand and Gopichand.

The richest people in the United Kingdom: Hinduja Brothers

Net worth: $14 billion

Forbes rank: 59

Background: Dangote owns around 91% of the publicly traded Dangote Cement, which is Africa\'s largest cement producer. Currently active across 15 different African countries, the Dangote Group is also composed of publicly traded sugar, flour, and salt manufacturing companies.

The richest person in Nigeria: Aliko Dangote

Background: Dangote owns around 91% of the publicly traded Dangote Cement, which is Africa's largest cement producer. Currently active across 15 different African countries, the Dangote Group is also composed of publicly traded sugar, flour, and salt manufacturing companies.

Net worth: $12.9 billion

Forbes rank: 67

Background: Fridman controls Alfa Group, Russia’s largest financial and industrial investment group, along with billionaires German Khan and Alexei Kuzmichev. In 2013, Alfa Group started a new company called LetterOne Holdings S.A. (L1) to hold their foreign assets and manage foreign acquisitions.

The richest person in Russia: Mikhail Fridman

Background: Fridman controls Alfa Group, Russia’s largest financial and industrial investment group, along with billionaires German Khan and Alexei Kuzmichev. In 2013, Alfa Group started a new company called LetterOne Holdings S.A. (L1) to hold their foreign assets and manage foreign acquisitions.

Net worth: $16.3 billion

Forbes rank: 48

Background: Tadashi Yanai is the owner of the popular brand Uniqlo, which he first started as a small roadside outlet back in 1984. In 2014, he saw a 65% increase in the company’s international sales, according to Forbes, and has seen a total increase of more than $3 billion in business in the last year.

The richest people in Japan: Tadashi Yanai and family

Background: Tadashi Yanai is the owner of the popular brand Uniqlo, which he first started as a small roadside outlet back in 1984. In 2014, he saw a 65% increase in the company’s international sales, according to Forbes, and has seen a total increase of more than $3 billion in business in the last year.

Net worth: $20.9 billion

Forbes rank: 35

Background: Mukesh Ambani is head of the oil and gas giant Reliance Industries, which has helped him to remain the richest person in India for almost 10 years.

The richest person in India: Mukesh Ambani

Net worth: $17.6 billion

Forbes rank: 40

Background: Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud owns stakes in private and public companies in the US, Europe, and the Middle East, mostly through Kingdom Holding Co. His holdings include stakes in Twitter, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Citigroup, Fairmont Raffles Holding, and several other hotel and real estate properties.

The richest person in Saudi Arabia: Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud

Background: Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud owns stakes in private and public companies in the US, Europe, and the Middle East, mostly through Kingdom Holding Co. His holdings include stakes in Twitter, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Citigroup, Fairmont Raffles Holding, and several other hotel and real estate properties.

Net worth: $24.4 billion

Forbes rank: 22

Background: Wang Jianlin\'s real estate firm, Dalian Wanda Commercial Properties, owns 125 shopping plazas, 68 five-star hotels, and one of China\'s largest movie theater chains, Wanda Cinema Line. In the last year, he also purchased 20% of the Spanish soccer team Atletico Madrid and paid $650 million to purchase the US organizer for Ironman Triathlons.

The richest person in China: Wang Jianlin

Background: Wang Jianlin's real estate firm, Dalian Wanda Commercial Properties, owns 125 shopping plazas, 68 five-star hotels, and one of China's largest movie theater chains, Wanda Cinema Line. In the last year, he also purchased 20% of the Spanish soccer team Atletico Madrid and paid $650 million to purchase the US organizer for Ironman Triathlons.

Net worth: $21.3 billion

Forbes rank: 33

Background: Stefan Persson owns a 28% stake and serves as the chairman of popular budget retail store H&M, which was started by his father in 1947. He also has a wide portfolio of real estate properties on major shopping districts like London\'s Oxford Street and the Champs-Elysée in Paris. He also purchased Linkenholt , the Hampshire village, back in 2009.

The richest person in Sweden: Stefan Persson

Background: Stefan Persson owns a 28% stake and serves as the chairman of popular budget retail store H&M, which was started by his father in 1947. He also has a wide portfolio of real estate properties on major shopping districts like London's Oxford Street and the Champs-Elysée in Paris. He also purchased Linkenholt , the Hampshire village, back in 2009.

Background: Stefan Persson owns a 28% stake and serves as the chairman of popular budget retail store H&M, which was started by his father in 1947. He also has a wide portfolio of real estate properties on major shopping districts like London's Oxford Street and the Champs-Elysée in Paris. He also purchased Linkenholt , the Hampshire village, back in 2009.

Net worth: $23.7 billion

Forbes rank: 24

Background: Jorge Paulo Lemann holds stakes in the world\'s largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev. His private equity firm 3G Capital bought H.J Heinz & Company with Warren Buffett for $23 billion, as well as purchasing Burger King in 2010 through a leveraged buyout. Since 1999, he has lived in Switzerland due to an attempted kidnapping of his children , according to Forbes.

The richest person in Brazil: Jorge Paulo Lemann

Background: Jorge Paulo Lemann holds stakes in the world's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev. His private equity firm 3G Capital bought H.J Heinz & Company with Warren Buffett for $23 billion, as well as purchasing Burger King in 2010 through a leveraged buyout. Since 1999, he has lived in Switzerland due to an attempted kidnapping of his children , according to Forbes.

Background: Jorge Paulo Lemann holds stakes in the world's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev. His private equity firm 3G Capital bought H.J Heinz & Company with Warren Buffett for $23 billion, as well as purchasing Burger King in 2010 through a leveraged buyout. Since 1999, he has lived in Switzerland due to an attempted kidnapping of his children , according to Forbes.

Net worth: $23 billion

Forbes rank : 29

Background: David Thomson is the chairman of the media and publishing company Thomson Reuters. The private holding company Woodbridge runs the business for the family and holds a 57% stake. The family also has stakes in Strategic Hotels & Resorts and The Globe and Mail. David Thomson also owns part of the National Hockey League\'s Winnipeg Jets.

The richest person in Canada: David Thomson and family

Background: David Thomson is the chairman of the media and publishing company Thomson Reuters. The private holding company Woodbridge runs the business for the family and holds a 57% stake. The family also has stakes in Strategic Hotels & Resorts and The Globe and Mail. David Thomson also owns part of the National Hockey League's Winnipeg Jets.

Background: David Thomson is the chairman of the media and publishing company Thomson Reuters. The private holding company Woodbridge runs the business for the family and holds a 57% stake. The family also has stakes in Strategic Hotels & Resorts and The Globe and Mail. David Thomson also owns part of the National Hockey League's Winnipeg Jets.

Net worth: $23.1 billion

Forbes rank: 25

Background: Georg Schaeffler and his mother, Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler-Thumann, are the proprietors of Schaeffler Group, which is a part of Schaeffler AG, one of the world\'s largest producers of ball bearings and machine components. The Schaefflers also own a stake of around $17 billion in tire and auto parts company Continental AG.

The richest person in Germany: Georg Schaeffler

Background: Georg Schaeffler and his mother, Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler-Thumann, are the proprietors of Schaeffler Group, which is a part of Schaeffler AG, one of the world's largest producers of ball bearings and machine components. The Schaefflers also own a stake of around $17 billion in tire and auto parts company Continental AG.

Net worth: $36.3 billion

Forbes rank : 11

Background: Liliane Bettencourt added to her fortune in 2014 when she purchased 8% more of her family\'s cosmetic company, L\'Oreal, from Nestle. Bettencourt, who suffers from dementia, is no longer involved in running the company her father started. To this day, she remains Europe’s richest woman.

The richest people in France: Liliane Bettencourt and family

Background: Liliane Bettencourt added to her fortune in 2014 when she purchased 8% more of her family's cosmetic company, L'Oreal, from Nestle. Bettencourt, who suffers from dementia, is no longer involved in running the company her father started. To this day, she remains Europe’s richest woman.

Background: Liliane Bettencourt added to her fortune in 2014 when she purchased 8% more of her family's cosmetic company, L'Oreal, from Nestle. Bettencourt, who suffers from dementia, is no longer involved in running the company her father started. To this day, she remains Europe’s richest woman.

Net worth: $67.1 billion

Forbes rank: 2

Background: As the world\'s richest retailer, Amancio Ortego cofounded Zara with his former wife Rosalia Mera in 1975. He stuck to controlling much of his own supply chain and was able to grow his wealth by $45 billion from 2009 to 2014 alone. He has been reinvesting money into real estate in cities including Madrid, Barcelona, London, Chicago, Miami, and New York.

The richest person in Spain: Amancio Ortega

Background: As the world's richest retailer, Amancio Ortego cofounded Zara with his former wife Rosalia Mera in 1975. He stuck to controlling much of his own supply chain and was able to grow his wealth by $45 billion from 2009 to 2014 alone. He has been reinvesting money into real estate in cities including Madrid, Barcelona, London, Chicago, Miami, and New York.

Net worth: $47.4 billion

Forbes rank: 5

Background: Slim is the founder and chairman of telecommunications conglomerate Grupo Carso. In January 2015, Slim became the top shareholder in the New York Times. He also controls America Movil, through which he has around 300 million mobile phone and land-line subscribers. Recently, he has been bidding on oil production contracts in Mexico.

The richest people in Mexico: Carlos Slim Helu and family

Net worth: $76.4 billion

Forbes rank: 1

Background: The wealthiest man in America did not even graduate from college. Gates dropped out of Harvard University his junior year when he had his idea for Microsoft. He has recently focused on philanthropy efforts through the Gates Foundation and the Giving Pledge , which some of the world\'s super-rich have signed with the promise to give away at least half of their net worth to charity.

The richest person in the United States: Bill Gates

Background: The wealthiest man in America did not even graduate from college. Gates dropped out of Harvard University his junior year when he had his idea for Microsoft. He has recently focused on philanthropy efforts through the Gates Foundation and the Giving Pledge , which some of the world's super-rich have signed with the promise to give away at least half of their net worth to charity.

Net worth: $4.7 billion

Forbes rank: 295

Background: Frère’s father was a nail merchant, and when he passed away, Frère left school at 17 to run the company. By 30, he began investments in Belgian steel factories, eventually expanding into finance. Today, he owns all of the media, utilities, and oil giant Compagnie Nationale a Portefeuille (CNP), which Frère built from his family’s original business.

The richest person in Belgium: Albert Frère

Background: Frère’s father was a nail merchant, and when he passed away, Frère left school at 17 to run the company. By 30, he began investments in Belgian steel factories, eventually expanding into finance. Today, he owns all of the media, utilities, and oil giant Compagnie Nationale a Portefeuille (CNP), which Frère built from his family’s original business.

Net worth: $4.1 billion

Forbes rank: 354

Background: Stein Erik Hagen founded Rimi, a discount supermarket, with his father in the \'70s. He eventually sold his stake, focusing on investments across Scandinavia. He is the chairman of Orkla ASA, a consumer goods manufacturer. In 2014, he donated $16 million to found the Norwegian Prostate Cancer Institute, after having been diagnosed with the disease and sought treatment in the US.

The richest people in Norway: Stein Erik Hagen and family

Background: Stein Erik Hagen founded Rimi, a discount supermarket, with his father in the '70s. He eventually sold his stake, focusing on investments across Scandinavia. He is the chairman of Orkla ASA, a consumer goods manufacturer. In 2014, he donated $16 million to found the Norwegian Prostate Cancer Institute, after having been diagnosed with the disease and sought treatment in the US.

Net worth: $3.6 billion

Forbes rank: 424

Background: Gustvao Cisneros is the owner of conglomerate Cisneros Group, which has interests in television stations, telecom, a regional brewery, a real estate company, and a baseball team in Venezuela. In January of last year, Cisneros Media also announced a partnership with the Latin American division of Turner Broadcasting.

The richest people in Venezuela: Gustavo Cisneros and family

Net worth: $3.9 billion

Forbes rank: 225

Background: Nassef Sawiris\' company, OCI, formally split in February 2015, but its construction arm, Orascom Construction, continues to trade on Egypt’s exchange. In October, he was dubbed the largest individual shareholder in Adidas with a 6% stake totaling more than $1 billion.

The richest person in Egypt: Nassef Sawiris

Background: Nassef Sawiris' company, OCI, formally split in February 2015, but its construction arm, Orascom Construction, continues to trade on Egypt’s exchange. In October, he was dubbed the largest individual shareholder in Adidas with a 6% stake totaling more than $1 billion.

Background: Nassef Sawiris' company, OCI, formally split in February 2015, but its construction arm, Orascom Construction, continues to trade on Egypt’s exchange. In October, he was dubbed the largest individual shareholder in Adidas with a 6% stake totaling more than $1 billion.

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Hagen, the chairman of industrial firm Orkla whose marriage to forestry heiress Mille-Marie Treschow in 2004 attracted as much publicity as a royal wedding, used an appearance on state broadcaster NRK’s Friday evening talkshow Skavlan to confirm his homosexuality.

It had been rumoured for years, even before his second marriage to a woman and not least when he spoke in favour of tolerance and gay rights during Sunday services at Vålerenga Church in Oslo in March 2000. Hagen also has four children, with one of his grown daughters especially active in his business empire and investment firm Canica.

Hagen, 59, said he finally realized he was gay when he was at a “quite, quite, well-grown” age. “When I was in my 20s, I didn’t know what it (homosexuality) was,” Hagen told talk show host Fredrik Skavlan when Friday evening’s program was taped on Thursday.

He said he and his friends at the time “had heard about it, but it wasn’t something we associated with us.” He noted that Norway’s law against homosexuality wasn’t repealed until he was 16, in 1972. “Until then, it was illegal to be homosexual, or to practice it,” he recalled.

Earlier calls for diversity and tolerance Hagen said a lot has changed since he first spoke publicly in Vålerenga Church about what he saw as a need “to create a society where tolerance and diversity must be fundamental values and the norm,” where “everyone must feel worthy regardless of sex, skin color, religion, health, age and sexual orientation.” He said he missed tolerance for individuality and creativity in Norway, denouncing what’s called  bygdedyret  (literally, a “community monster” that invisibly exists through suspicions around anyone or anything deemed as different from the norm). Hagen claimed that the bydgedyr  is found just as easily in his affluent neighbourhood at Holmenkollen in Oslo as it is in small towns around the country, fed by envy, gossip and narrow-mindedness.

Now, 15 years later (although he told Skavlan it was closer to 20), Hagen continues to fight prejudice and finally seems confident enough to publicly declare his own homosexuality. His confirmation comes just after he’d campaigned vigorously to boost voter participation in recent elections that also selected delegates to the governing body of The Norwegian Church, which has loosened its ties to the state but remains largely state-funded. The goal was to elect a majority to the annual church meeting who would favour church marriages for homosexuals , and it was successful.

Fresh from that victory, Hagen told Skavlan that he now feels there’s far greater acceptance for homosexuality in Norway than there was just 20 years ago. He apparently remained in denial of his own sexual orientation, though, when he married a woman for the second time amidst much fanfare 11 years ago. Hagen and Treschow separated, though, in 2012, and he told newspaper Aftenposten at the time that they should have parted ways earlier. He only cited differences between them that were related, however, to her wealthy background dating back to Danish nobility in Norway, while he came from a humble background with his fortune self-made.

“We have had our own things to do and our own homes and then you can drift apart,” Hagen told Aftenposten . “And we were raised differently.” He joked that “it was easier before, when women were housewives and stayed at home, I can say that to be provocative. So many relationships dissolve now … we’ll likely see folks having several relationships during their lives.” He said he and Treschow had agreed to separate a year before they confirmed it publicly, but they delayed it because Hagen was diagnosed with prostate cancer and opted to undergo treatment for it in the US instead of at home in Norway. The treatments were successful.

At the time, three years ago, Hagen was ranked as Norway’s sixth-wealthiest Norwegian on the annual list compiled by Kapital magazine, with net worth of NOK 10.9 billion, while Treschow ranked 61st with a fortune of NOK 2.3 billion. In addition to often being in the news because of his business and political engagements, Hagen has also played a major role in Norway’s ongoing tax debate. He was the target of much criticism when he and his children moved much of their fortune to Switzerland to avoid some of Norway’s high taxes. Hagen has, however, also been an active philanthropist, donating millions to the medical school at the University of Oslo, to the national hospital Rikshospitalet and to various projects like the remodelling of Norway’s ski museum at Holmenkollen. The investment company he controls, Canica, has also made major donations and holds a large art collection with pieces lent out to various museums.

newsinenglish.no/ Nina Berglund

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Norway’s second richest billionaire comes out as bisexual on chat show watched by 3m viewers

Supermarket tycoon stein erik hagen made the announcement on skavaln, article bookmarked.

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A supermarket tycoon and one of the richest men in Norway has come out as bisexual on a major talk show, in a move promoting LGBT visibility.

At 59, Stein Erik Hagen has amassed a fortune estimated by Forbes to be in the region of $4.3 billion from the RIMI budget supermarket he and his father founded in 1977.

He appeared on the Skavaln show, one of Norway’s biggest chat shows, and told three million viewers he was gay and had come to understand his sexuality later in his life, according to The Local .

LGBT+ rights around the globe

“I realised I was gay well into adulthood," he told his host. “When I was in my 20s we didn’t know what it was. We heard about it but did not associate ourselves with it.”

Hagen later told the VG newspaper that he identified as bisexual, not gay, and said his ex-wives and children had known about his sexuality for years.

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