Olav Thon is dead, 101 years old – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country

Olav Thon is dead, aged 101. The Olav Thon Group itself reports this in a press release. “It is with great sadness that we have today received the news that Olav Thon has passed away. He lived to be 101 years old,” the message says. Olav Thon had a wide range of business interests, and was for many years one of the richest people in Norway. One of his hallmarks in the last decade was a red knitted hat, which he started wearing because he got frostbite on his head. Among other things, he had business interests in tourism, trade and the property industry. Through the Olav Thon Group, he made large investments. In 2013, everything was brought together in the Olav Thon Foundation, which is the parent company of the Olav Thon group. Start with leather trade Thon was born on 29 June 1923 in Ål in Hallingdal on the family farm Søndre Thon. The plan was for him to study medicine, but the Second World War put a stop to studying abroad. Instead, he started breeding fur animals on the farm, and trading in leather in Hallingdal. He gradually traveled to the capital, where he opened a fur shop when he was 18 years old. In 1950, Thon made his first investment in property in Oslo, which marked the start of his career as an investor. Thon Eiendom rents out shop space, warehouse space, apartments and office space in Norway and Sweden, but also in several other countries. Bet on hotels In 1974 Thon Hotel Bristol in Oslo was bought, which was the start of investments in tourism. 15 years later he established the hotel chain Rainbow Hotels. The aim was to offer affordable accommodation at centrally located hotels. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the company bought up hotels in Norway and several places in Europe. In 2005, the chain changed its name to Thon Hotels. In 2020, the chain owned over 70 hotels in Europe. Olav Thon was for several years one of the richest people in Norway. Here he is together with businessman Stein Erik Hagen in connection with the central bank governor’s annual address in 2018. Olav Thon was fond of outdoor life, and for several years supported the Norwegian Tourist Association with money. In the picture, he is depicted at his cabin on Sollihøgda in 1970. In connection with his 80th birthday in 2003, Olav Thon was awarded the Order of St. Olav for his efforts for Norwegian business. The employees gave him a bust made by the artist Per Ung. In 2019, Olav Thon married Sissel Berdal Haga at the Bristol Hotel in Oslo. He gave her credit for the colorful style of clothing that Thon later became known for. Handing out money Olav Thon was fond of nature, and in 1990 he established a foundation whose aim was to support the Norwegian Tourist Association and promote tours in the mountains. The money from the foundation was used, among other things, to build, furnish and maintain similar cabins, and for marking and maintenance of grids. In 2013, Thon collected large parts of his fortune in the Olav Thon Foundation, which gives away money for charitable and socially beneficial purposes. Each year they distribute several million kroner to research projects, institutions and individuals. The foundation is also the parent company of the group, and manages all the limited companies Thon helped build up. Published 16.11.2024, at 13.44 Updated 16.11.2024, at 13.46



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