Thor Bjorgolfsson

$1.00 B

Ranked #3342 in World

About Thor Bjorgolfsson

Renowned Icelandic entrepreneur Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson, known for founding Novator Partners, has been a transformative force in global business, making his mark by building entities such as Actavis and investing in startups like Monzo and Stripe. Björgólfsson, an heir to a prominent Icelandic legacy, epitomized resilience by recovering from the 2007-2010 financial crisis, managing to pay off significant debts and reviving his fortune, currently valued at $2.5 billion. His early ventures spanned across Russia and Bulgaria, cementing his status as a tenacious businessman, with a career that's inspired cultural portrayals.

Born

March 19, 1967 in Reykjavík, Iceland

Age

59 years

Source Of Wealth

Investments

Industries

Diversified

Citizenship

Iceland

Residence

London

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, New York University

Spouse

Kristín Ðlafsdóttir

Children

Parent

Björgölfur Guðmundsson, Margrét Ýrá Hallgrímsson

Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson, also known as Thor Bjorgolfsson, was born into a prominent Icelandic family with a rich legacy in business and politics. He grew up in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, where he was known for his self-confidence and physical strength. From an early age, he demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit, engaging in various ventures such as delivering newspapers, working at the University of Iceland, and running a home video delivery service.

While managing events at Reykjavík's biggest clubs, he met his future wife, Kristín Ólafsdóttir, in 1991. They married in 2010 and have three children together. Björgólfur pursued his education in business, studying in New York and graduating from the Commercial College of Iceland in 1987.

Thor Bjorgolfsson: Family

Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson comes from a prominent Icelandic family with a long history of involvement in business and politics. His father, Björgólfur Guðmundsson, was a successful businessman and politician who served as the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Industry.

Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson's wife, Kristín Ólafsdóttir, is a former model and businesswoman. They have three children together.

Thor Bjorgolfsson: Career Highlights

Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson's career is marked by a series of notable achievements and investments. He founded and built several successful companies, including:

Baltic Bottling Plant in Russia (sold to Pepsi)
Bravo Brewery (sold to Heineken for $325 million)
Actavis (co-founded in 1999, invested in privatization in Bulgaria)
Landsbanki (gained controlling share in 2002)
Straumur Investment Bank (became main owner and chairman)
Novator Partners (private equity firm based in London)

Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson's investments span various sectors, including telecommunications, generic pharmaceuticals, IT, natural resources, and financial services.

Thor Bjorgolfsson: Companies

Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson has been involved with numerous companies throughout his career, including:

Baltic Bottling Plant
Bravo Brewery
Actavis
Landsbanki
Straumur Investment Bank
Novator Partners
DNEG
The Lost Explorer Mezcal
WOM Play
Zwift
Deliveroo
Monzo
Stripe
Cazoo
Xantis Pharma
Klang
Lockwood Publishing

Thor Bjorgolfsson: Major Achievements

Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson's major achievements include:

Building and investing in successful companies across various industries
Becoming the first Icelander to appear on Forbes' list of world's richest people in 2005
Successfully negotiating and restructuring debt with creditors during the 2008-11 Icelandic financial crisis
Rebuilding his fortune after the financial crisis and returning to Forbes' rich list in 2015

Thor Bjorgolfsson: Awards & Achievements

Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson has received several awards and recognitions for his contributions to business and entrepreneurship, including:

EY Entrepreneur of the Year in Iceland (2004)
Businessman of the Year in Iceland (2005)
Honorary Doctorate from the University of Iceland (2007)

Thor Bjorgolfsson: Personal Life & Legacy

Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson is known for his strong work ethic, determination, and resilience.

Despite facing significant setbacks during the 2008-11 Icelandic financial crisis, he managed to rebuild his fortune and re-establish himself as a successful businessman.

He is also known for his philanthropic efforts, supporting various charitable causes and organizations in Iceland and internationally.

Thor Bjorgolfsson: Trivia

Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson has been the subject of several satirical novels and a documentary film about the 2008-11 Icelandic financial crisis. He is known for his larger-than-life personality and his impact on the Icelandic business landscape.

Wealth History

Timeline

1990s

Founded Baltic Bottling Plant in Russia with partners, sold to Pepsi. Established Bravo Brewery, became fastest-growing brewery in Russia, sold to Heineken for $325m in 2002. Co-founded Actavis in 1999, invested in privatization in Bulgaria.

2000s

Invested in several Icelandic firms after leaving Russia. Gained controlling share of Landsbanki, Iceland's second largest bank, in 2002. Became main owner and chairman of Straumur Investment Bank.

2008-11

Landsbanki and Straumur went bankrupt during the Icelandic financial crisis. Assumed €650m of personal guarantees, negotiated and restructured debt with creditors. Publicly apologized for his role in the crisis in 2010.

2010s

Continued to manage Novator Partners, a private equity firm based in London. Invested in telecommunications, generic pharmaceuticals, IT, natural resources, and financial services sectors. Notable investments include DNEG, Actavis (sold for $6 billion in 2012), and The Lost Explorer Mezcal.

Thor Bjorgolfsson : FAQs

What is Thor Bjorgolfsson's current net worth?

Thor Bjorgolfsson's current net worth is $1.00 billion.

What is Thor Bjorgolfsson's current global rank among billionaires?

Thor Bjorgolfsson holds the 3342nd position globally among billionaires.

What is Thor Bjorgolfsson's current ranking within the Iceland?

Thor Bjorgolfsson holds the 1st position in Iceland.

What was the change in Thor Bjorgolfsson's net worth compared to the previous year?

Thor Bjorgolfsson's net worth decreased by 21 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 1.02 billion dollars.

What are Thor Bjorgolfsson's main sources of wealth?

Thor Bjorgolfsson's main source of income comes from Investments.

In which industry does Thor Bjorgolfsson primarily operate?

Thor Bjorgolfsson is primarily involved in the Diversified industry.

What is Thor Bjorgolfsson educational background?

Thor Bjorgolfsson holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from New York University.

How old is Thor Bjorgolfsson?

Thor Bjorgolfsson is 59 years old.

How many children does Thor Bjorgolfsson have?

Thor Bjorgolfsson has 3 children.

Who is Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson and what is Novator Partners?

Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson, commonly known as Thor Bjorgolfsson, is an Icelandic businessman and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Novator Partners, a private equity firm specializing in telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and technology investments.

What notable companies has Thor Bjorgolfsson invested in?

Thor Bjorgolfsson has built and invested in a variety of notable companies including Actavis, WOM Play, Zwift, Deliveroo, Monzo, Stripe, Cazoo, Xantis Pharma, Klang, and Lockwood Publishing.

How did Thor Bjorgolfsson regain his wealth after the 2007-2010 financial crisis?

After facing substantial losses during the financial crisis, Thor Bjorgolfsson worked out a deal to repay debts and retained key investments. His efforts paid off, and by 2015 he reappeared on Forbes' rich list with a net worth of $1.3 billion, currently at $2.5 billion as of August 2023.

How did Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson start his entrepreneurial journey?

Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson began his entrepreneurial journey early in life with ventures like delivering newspapers and running a home video delivery service. His business acumen developed further while studying business in New York, leading to his future successes in various industries.

What role did Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson play during the Icelandic financial crisis?

During the Icelandic financial crisis of 2008-2011, Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson was a significant figure as he had a controlling share of Landsbanki and was the chairman of Straumur Investment Bank, both of which went bankrupt. He shouldered €650m of personal guarantees and restructured debts, later publicly apologizing for his role in the crisis.