A humble upbringing in Norway

Gustav Magnar Witzøe was born on February 8, 1993, in Frøya, a small island in Trøndelag, Norway, to parents Gustav and Oddny Witzøe. His mother worked as a carer and his father a businessman, per Hot Fast News.

Gustav senior founded SalMar in 1991, which grew into one of the world’s largest farmed salmon producers across Asia, the United States, Canada, the Russian Federation and Norway, per Seafood Media Group.

The company flourished, but it seems the Witzøes didn’t spoil their only child rotten. In fact, Gustav revealed to The Telegraph, he skipped university and put himself to work on salmon farms for two years to learn the trade.

He said, “Maybe it would have been different if I’d grown up with money, but since we didn’t when I was a kid, I’m very happy about that. It was just a normal, down-to-earth family, and I think those are values I’ll take with me.”

He has a tattoo dedicated to his parents

We all love our folks, but how many would declare their love and affection with a tattoo? Witzøe did. As per Cord Magazine, he tattooed his arm with the words “My true heroes” in reference to his parents.

The 29-year-old billionaire businessman is certainly setting an example for millennials when it comes to balancing life with work, too. He dubs himself a regular guy who likes football, works out, parties now and again, and enjoys hanging out with friends, per The Telegraph.

He has his share of fun, but also makes time for his parents. Gustav still visits his parents weekly and even sees his childhood friends on the small island of Frøya, where he grew up.

The lavish life of Gustav Magnar Witzøe

But no matter how normal the modest billionaire claims his life is, his Instagram account indicates otherwise. The fitness freak who told The Telegraph he works out nine times weekly doesn’t shy away from showing off his model bod on the ‘gram, though he’s since seemed to have deleted a few of his old pics.

Images have shown him globetrotting in style, touching down on everywhere from Italy and France to Dubai. Witzøe has also shared glimpses of his luxurious transport, which includes a Porsche and an Aston Martin, per British media.

The avid traveller is also a dog-lover

A billionaire before 30

Despite being the owner of one of the most significant fishing conglomerates worldwide, Gustav doesn’t seem to feel entitled to the family’s fortune and considers it his dad’s company to date. Speaking to Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet, he explained: “You can’t just demand to be the boss of such a big organisation. You have to be suited to it. If there are alternatives, the best man or woman must get the job. There is so much at stake – values, jobs, crucial factors.”

His modelling career and start-up investments

According to The Telegraph, Witzøe was encouraged by a friend to start modelling, which took him to Idol Looks and Next Models Worldwide.

Witzøe has been putting the time into a flourishing modelling career but has also been investing in start-up companies like Norwegian Snapchat challenger Gobi and Airbnb host service Keybutler, per British media.

The Norwegian investor finances start-ups through his company Wiski Capital, which looks to work with Norway’s rawest technological talent, per its website.

The philanthropist once had a brush with the law

He may seem to have the perfect life, but Witzøe actually had a brush with the law right at the end of his high school days. He was reportedly arrested for overtaking another vehicle driving at 180km/h in a 60km/h zone, per The New Zealand Herald. He served two weeks in prison as a result, according to the same source.

However, the investor does his share of good too, by running a charitable foundation, the W Initiative, which focuses on children’s health and education. The organisation aims to provide access to clean water and sanitary facilities to more than 4,000 children in Uganda, per The Telegraph.

With a current net worth of US$3.8 billion (per Forbes) to fall back on, and promising goals for the future, this is one billionaire to look out for in the years to come.