Torstein Hagen


Torstein Hagen is a Norwegian billionaire businessman, and the founder and chairman of Viking Cruises.

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.

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. In 1976, he became CEO of Bergen Steamship Company, and then became CEO of Royal Viking Line from 1980 to 1984. He joined the board of Holland America Line in 1985, and later served on the board of Kloster Cruise. 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.

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. In May 2013, the company announced plans to start an ocean cruise division, and changed its name to Viking Cruises. Its first ocean cruise was launched in 2015. As of 2017, the company has a fleet of over 60 vessels, and four ocean going ships.

Personal life

Hagen is divorced with two children, and lives in Lucerne, Switzerland. His daughter Karine Hagen works for Viking River Cruises.