Erling Lorentzen


Erling Sven Lorentzen is a Norwegian-Brazilian shipowner and industrialist. He founded Aracruz Celulose in 1968. He is 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 is a member of the Lorentzen family of shipping magnates.

Life and career

Lorentzen was born in Oslo as the son of Øivind Lorentzen and Ragna . He worked for the Norwegian Independent Company 1, a British military unit, during World War II.
He formerly owned 28% of Aracruz Celulose, which he sold for approximately US$1.7 billion in July 2008.
His family's business was a merchant marine, and the Lorentzen 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 the 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 is thus the brother-in-law of King Harald V, Queen Sonja and Princess Astrid.
They have three children: Haakon, Ingeborg and Ragnhild.

Honours