Erling_Lorentzen

Erling Lorentzen

Erling Lorentzen

Norwegian businessman (1923–2021)

Erling Sven Lorentzen (28 January 1923 – 9 March 2021)[1][2] was a Norwegian shipowner and industrialist. He founded Aracruz Celulose in 1968.[3] He was the widower of Princess Ragnhild, the eldest child of King Olav V of Norway. In addition to being a Norwegian princess, his wife was in the line of succession to the British throne and occupied the 18th place at the time of her birth. Erling Lorentzen was a member of the Lorentzen family of shipping magnates.

Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Life and career

Lorentzen was born in Oslo as the son of Øivind Lorentzen (1882–1980) and Ragna (née Nilsen; 1885–1976). He worked for the Norwegian Independent Company 1, a British military unit, during World War II.

He owned 28% of Aracruz Celulose, which he sold for approximately US$1.7 billion in July 2008.

His family was in the merchant marine business, and the Lorentzens had a line from the Gulf of Mexico to the east coast of Brazil and Argentina. In the early 1950s, Erling planned a visit to Brazil to meet with his representatives. At the time, they transported liquefied petroleum gas from the Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. On the way to Brazil, Erling learned that Esso wanted to sell its gas distribution company in Brazil. So instead of visiting their representatives, Erling sought to know more about such a company that was for sale, which would expand the LPG transportation business. When Lorentzen bought the company, Erling moved to Brazil permanently. The company grew considerably, but Lorentzen sold it in 1972. After the sale, he started other businesses, such as Aracruz Celulose.

Marriage and children

Lorentzen married Princess Ragnhild, elder granddaughter of the then-reigning King Haakon VII, on 15 May 1953 in Asker, Norway. He was thus the brother-in-law of King Harald V, Queen Sonja and Princess Astrid.[4]

The couple had three children together; Haakon (born 23 August 1954), Ingeborg (born 27 February 1957), and Ragnhild (born 8 May 1968).

Honours

References

  1. [1]
    "Erling Lorentzen, brother-in-law to King Harald of Norway, dies at the age of 98". 9 March 2021.
  2. [2]
    Profile of Erling Sven Lorentzen
  3. [3]
    "Erling Sven Lorentzen - Paper Industry Hall of Fame Inductee". Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  4. [4]
    "Erling Sven Lorentzen, 1923". Geneall.net. 28 January 1923. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  5. [5]
    "Erling wearing the orders" (JPG). Gfx.dagbladet.no. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  6. [6]
    "Photographic image" (JPG). S-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  7. [7]
    "Photographic image" (JPG). S-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  8. [8]
    "Erling wearing the medals" (JPG). Blogg.tv2.no. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  9. [9]
    Information confirmed via e-mail by Chancellor at the Royal Norwegian Court.
  10. [10]
    "Tildeling av Kong Harald Vs jubileumsmedalje 1991–2016". Kongehurst.bo. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
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