Olav Thon, Billionaire Norwegian Real Estate Tycoon, Dies at 101

  • His closely held firm owns hotels, shopping centers, offices
  • Childless, he created a foundation to ensure company’s future

Olav Thon, in one of his hotels in 2004.

Photographer: Andrea Gjestvang/Bloomberg

Olav Thon, who started out as a fur trader and built a property empire that made him one of Norway’s richest people, has died at 101.

Kjetil Nilsen, chief executive of Oslo-based Olav Thon Gruppen, announced Thon’s death on the company’s website. No cause was given.