O
lav Thon, a billionaire entrepreneur known for his bright red cap and extensive real estate empire, has passed away at the age of 101. Born on June 29, 1923, in Ål, Norway, Thon initially planned to study medicine but turned to breeding animals for their fur during World War II. He later shifted from selling leather to real estate, purchasing his first apartment building in 1950.
Thon's company, Olav Thon Gruppen, has grown into a massive entity employing thousands of staff and operating over 80 shopping centers across Norway and Sweden. The group also owns numerous hotels in several countries, including Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway. In 2013, Thon transferred most of his assets to the Olav Thon Foundation.
A nature enthusiast, Thon supported tourism and hiking activities in Norway through his philanthropy. He also contributed to medical research, particularly in muscular-skeletal disorders. After losing his wife Inge-Johanne in 2018, Thon married Sissel Berdal Haga at the Hotel Bristol in Oslo in 2019, just a year after their wedding.
