Kjell Inge Røkke Net Worth

Kjell Inge Røkke has an estimated net worth of $9.2 billion, according to Forbes Real-Time Billionaires, Kjell Inge Røkke profile (figures as of October 20, 2026). That is up from $4.3 billion in 2019.

Kjell Inge Røkke is a Norwegian businessman best known as chairman of Aker ASA. He started out in fishing and worked on trawlers in Alaska after moving to the United States in 1979. In Seattle during the 1980s, he built up American Seafoods and Resource Group International. He later returned to Norway, where he became a major force in industry through Aker and expanded into shipping, offshore drilling, maritime assets, and marine biotechnology.

His rise in business came through dealmaking as well as ownership. In 1996, Resource Group International acquired enough shares to make him Aker ASA's main shareholder, and the merger was completed in 1997. Through Aker, he built stakes in businesses tied to oil and gas, shipyards, fisheries, and newer marine ventures. Forbes says his wealth comes from shipping and seafood, and it values him at $9.2 billion on its real-time billionaires tracker as of October 20, 2026.

How Kjell Inge Røkke built his fortune

Røkke's business story began with fishing. After working on trawlers in Alaska, he saved enough to buy his first vessels and eventually became owner of American Seafoods Group. In Seattle, he also owned and ran Resource Group International, which included brands such as Brooks Sports and Helly Hansen. That early base in seafood and operating companies gave him capital, industry knowledge, and a path into much bigger deals.

The biggest engine of his wealth today is Aker. Forbes says he owns over 68% of publicly traded Aker, a shipping and offshore drilling conglomerate. He became Aker ASA's main shareholder in 1996, and the merger with Resource Group International was completed in January 1997. Through Aker, he built exposure to oil and gas, maritime assets, marine biotechnology, shipyards, and real estate. In 2016, Aker also sold a stake in Havfisk to Leroy Seafood Group for $250 million.

Forbes net worth and other money moves

Forbes has shown big swings in Røkke's wealth over time. It estimated him at $4.3 billion in 2019, then $1.7 billion in 2020. The figure rebounded to $5.5 billion in 2021 and was $5.4 billion in 2022. It then moved to $5.1 billion in 2023, $4.6 billion in 2024, and $4.9 billion in 2025. As of October 20, 2026, Forbes places him at $9.2 billion on its real-time tracker.

Another notable money project is REV Ocean. Forbes notes that Røkke commissioned the nearly-600-foot yacht in 2017 and that it will spend part of its time on environmental research missions in partnership with WWF Norway. The vessel is expected to be completed in 2025, five years behind schedule. During research expeditions, it is expected to accommodate up to 60 scientists and 30 crew, showing that some of his capital also goes into large ocean-focused projects.