Torstein Hagen
Torstein Hagen | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Hagen in 1988 | |
| Born | 1943 (age 80–81) |
| Nationality | Norwegian |
| Alma mater | Norwegian Institute of Technology Harvard University |
| Occupation(s) | Founder & chairman, Viking Cruises |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Spouse | Ellen-Karine Hagen (div. 2017) |
| Children | 2 |
Torstein Hagen (born 1943)[2][3] is a Norwegian billionaire businessman, and the founder and chairman of Viking Cruises.
Early life and education
Hagen was born and raised in Norway.[3][4] He earned a degree in physics at the Norwegian Institute of Technology,[4] where he completed his master thesis on artificial intelligence and machine learning,[5] won a Fulbright grant to study in the United States, and received an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1968.[3]
Career
Early years in cruise industry (1974-96)
Hagen was a consultant, and later partner, for McKinsey & Company in Europe, helping to bring Holland America Line back from near-bankruptcy in 1974.[6] In 1976, he became CEO of Bergen Steamship Company (Bergenske Dampskibsselskab), and then became CEO of Royal Viking Line from 1980 to 1984.[2][6] After a failed take-over bid, he had to resign in 1984.[7] He joined the board of Holland America Line in 1985, and later served on the board of Kloster Cruise.[6] In the early 1990s, he acquired a 27% stake in Nedlloyd, a Rotterdam-based shipping company, becoming the biggest shareholder. He sold his shares several years later at a loss.[3][6][8]
Viking Cruises (1997-present)
In 1997, Hagen founded Viking River Cruises with the purchase of four river ships, launching the company with four Russian river cruises.[4][6] In May 2013, the company announced plans to start an ocean cruise division, and changed its name to Viking Cruises.[9][10] Its first ocean cruise was launched in 2015.[11] As of 2017, the company has a fleet of over 60 vessels,[12][13] and four ocean going ships.[9]
Personal life
Hagen is divorced[14] with two children, and lives in Lucerne, Switzerland.[4] His daughter Karine Hagen works for Viking River Cruises.[15]
References
- ^ "Forbes profile: Torstein Hagen". Forbes. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
- ^ a b "The Second Coming Of Torstein Hagen: Full Circle In Bergen". Avidcruiser.com. 2015-05-24. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
- ^ a b c d "When Holland Inc. Goes Shopping, Belgium Always Gets Bought Out - WSJ.com". Online.wsj.com. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
- ^ a b c d Fran Golden, "Perfect Examples," Porthole Cruise Magazine, August 21, 2017.
- ^ "Torstein Hagen Biography". www.vikingcruises.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
- ^ a b c d e Arnie Weissmann, "Rolling on the rivers," Travel Weekly, April 2, 2013.
- ^ "Torstein Hagen". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
- ^ Schwammenthal, Daniel. "Dutch Discount - WSJ.com". Online.wsj.com. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
- ^ a b Erica Silverstein, "Viking Ocean Cruises Takes Delivery of New Cruise Ship," Cruise Critic, September 26, 2017.
- ^ Tom Stieghorst, "Viking Cruises' Torstein Hagen," Travel Weekly, October 25, 2016.
- ^ Christian L. Wright, "Cruise Vacations for the Anti-Cruise Crowd," Wall Street Journal, April 4, 2017.
- ^ O'Bannon, Isaac M. (1 March 2017). "Viking Launches Third Luxury Ocean Liner". CPA Practice Advisor. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
- ^ Anne Kalosh, "Pair of Viking Longships are named in Koblenz," Seatrade Cruise, March 7, 2017.
- ^ "Divorcing Norwegian couple spend £10m in legal fees," Financial Times, June 28, 2017.
- ^ Hamburg Messe (2015-06-26). "Karine Hagen is Viking Sea's godmother". Seatrade-cruise.com. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
External links
