Karen Toller

Karen Toller (1662 – 13 August 1742) was a Norwegian estate owner and ship owner who through her inheritance, became one of the wealthiest women in Christiania and one of the largest property owners in the first half of the 18th century. She also built the Oslo Ladegård.

Life Karen Nielsdatter Toller was born in Tønsberg in 1662 to Niels Toller (–1676) and Kirsten Andersdatter Tonsberg (1637–1701), and was a granddaughter of merchant and Mayor of Christiania Niels Toller (–1642). At the time, it was standard for daughters to inherit only half as much as sons, but Toller's parents in as early as 1672, ensured that all their children would inherit equally. When her parents did die, she inherited significant fortunes from both of them, including sawmills, several farms and other properties, and made her one of the richest women in Christiania.

In 1722, Toller bought the Old Bishop's Palace in Oslo, which had been previously owned by her grandfather Niels Toller. She invested heavily into it, paying the King 7700 riksdaler for the dirt road around it, but he later cancelled the purchase. However, she later paid 9300 riksdaler for its title deed in 1729. In 1725, Toller erected a new building on the grounds, which she called the Oslo Ladegård, which still stands today.

Toller died in Christiania on 13 August 1742.