Torstein Hagen

Torstein Hagen (born 1943) is a Norwegian billionaire businessman, and the Founder and Chairman of Viking cruise line.

Early life and education Hagen was born and raised in Norway. He earned a degree in physics at the Norwegian Institute of Technology, won a Fulbright grant to study in the United States, and received an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1968. In 1976, he became CEO of Bergen Steamship Company (Bergenske Dampskibsselskab) and then became CEO of Royal Viking Line from 1980 to 1984. He joined the board of Holland America Line in 1985, and later was on the board of Kloster Cruise.

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. Its first ocean cruise was launched in 2015. As of 2016, Hagen has disposed of 23% of Viking Cruises to TPG Capital and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board for a total of $672 million. and four ocean-going ships. with two children, and lives in Lucerne, Switzerland.