John Fredriksen, the Norwegian-born tanker billionaire, tops our October 2026 ranking of the richest people in Norway at about $6.5 billion, just ahead of Aker’s Kjell Inge Røkke. The old version of this article was a 2014 snapshot led by Stein Erik Hagen. This version values five fortunes from the shares they hold, using prices on 23 October 2026.
| Rank | Name | Net worth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Fredriksen | about $6.5 billion |
| 2 | Kjell Inge Røkke | about $6.2 billion |
| 3 | Gustav Magnar Witzøe | about $4.2 billion |
| 4 | Petter Stordalen | about $1.6 billion |
| 5 | Jacob Stolt-Nielsen and family | about $1.4 billion |
1. John Fredriksen: about $6.5 billion
Born in Eidsvoll and now a Cypriot citizen living in the Gulf, Fredriksen built the world’s largest oil tanker fleet through Frontline and holds major positions in Seadrill and the salmon giant Mowi through his investment companies Hemen and Geveran. We include him because he is Norwegian-born and most of his career is tied to Norwegian-listed companies.
Frontline is worth $11.79 billion and Mowi NOK 113.9 billion. We assume about 40 percent of Frontline and 15 percent of Mowi, both our estimates, which makes the total roughly $6.5 billion before his other holdings.
2. Kjell Inge Røkke: about $6.2 billion
Røkke started as a fisherman, then bought his way into offshore oil. He chairs Aker ASA, the industrial holding company with stakes in Aker BP, Cognite and Aker BioMarine. His investment company TRG held 68.2 percent of Aker as of the end of 2018.
68.2 percent of Aker’s NOK 84.8 billion market value, at 0.107 dollars to the krone, gives about $6.2 billion. The stake is a 2018 figure and may have changed.
3. Gustav Magnar Witzøe: about $4.2 billion
He became the main shareholder of the salmon producer SalMar at 18, when his father Gustav handed him the stake. He still works in the family business and once worked as a milker at its fish farms.
SalMar was worth NOK 79.2 billion on 23 October 2026. We assume the family holds about half, our estimate.
4. Petter Stordalen: about $1.6 billion
Stordalen owns Strawberry Group, a conglomerate of ten companies in hotels, shopping centres, real estate, finance and art.
The $1.6 billion is a 2025 estimate we kept with its year. Strawberry is private, so there is no share price.
5. Jacob Stolt-Nielsen and family: about $1.4 billion
He started at a London ship brokerage, moved to New York, and invented a safer way to ship chemicals. Stolt-Nielsen is still one of the largest shipping and storage groups. The old article put the family stake at 61 percent.
61 percent of the NOK 21.85 billion market value, converted at 0.107, gives about $1.4 billion.
Special mentions
Stein Erik Hagen, the Orkla chairman who topped the old list, died in May 2026. Olav Thon, the real-estate founder who was number two, died in 2024, and Arne Wilhelmsen died in 2020. Odd Reitan (Reitan Group) and Trond Mohn (Frank Mohn AS) run private companies with no share price, so we do not rank them. The shipping heir Petter Olsen’s estate went bankrupt in 2024.
FAQ
Who is the richest person in Norway in 2026?
John Fredriksen on our estimate, with around $6.5 billion, though he is a Cypriot citizen. Among Norwegian citizens, Kjell Inge Røkke leads at about $6.2 billion.
How much is Kjell Inge Røkke worth?
About $6.2 billion, from a 68.2 percent stake in Aker ASA.
Who led the old Norway list?
Stein Erik Hagen, who died in May 2026.
Why does the list only have five names?
Five fortunes could be calculated or grounded. Private-company owners are listed in special mentions.
How are the figures calculated?
Stake times market value on 23 October 2026, converted from kroner at 0.107 dollars. Assumed stakes are labelled as our estimates.
How we estimate net worth
Our estimates are based on public reporting, company valuations, and deal and earnings figures all compiled in an internal valuation model. They are approximate, and figures change over time as new information emerges.
For this list the inputs were market values on 23 October 2026, the krone exchange rate on 26 October, and ownership percentages from company reporting.
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Last updated: October 2026.
