We take a look at the wealthiest people to emerge from Denmark.
1. Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen
Denmark’s most legendary brand is undoubtedly Lego. The grandson of founder Ole Kirk, Kjeld owns a stake worth 75 per cent in the global toy brand.
He was formerly the CEO of the company, and has been busy diversifying the family wealthy by investing in a number of other areas. He owns a 30 per cent holding in Merlin, the operator of a number of theme parks worldwide. He is worth £6.3 billion.
2. Anders Holch Povlsen
Povlsen is the undoubted retail king of Denmark. The owner of the ‘Bestseller’ fashion group which he inherited from his parents – and which includes brands such as Vero Moda and Jack & Jones – he has expanded the family empire by a far-reaching mix of investments.
Said to be the second-largest private landowner in Scotland, he has amassed an empire of land in the country by acquiring a total of over 120,000 acres of land, comprising a number of different estates. Back home he owns an impressive manor house and land to the west of Aarhus.
In addition to his land holdings, he has made significant money from investments in online retail giant ASOS – in which he owns a 27 per cent stake – and German shoeseller Zalando. He is worth £3.7 billion.
3. Lars Larsen
Larsen is the owner of Jysk, a retail chain that sells beds, mattresses and furniture. Born into a farming family, he started his first shop in 1979, eventually forming a global empire that has recently been focused on expansion in Asia.
Larsen is well known in Denmark for having sent out a free copy of his autobiography to every house in Denmark in 2009. He is worth £2.5 billion.
4. Niels Peter Louis-Hansen
Louis-Hansen inherited the Coloplast business from his father Aage. The current chairman, he owns 20 per cent of the stock. Coloplast manufactures a number of different devices related to wound care, incontinence and urology, with its headquarters in Humlebaek. He is valued at £2.5 billion.
5. Hanni Toosbuy Kasprzak
The daughter of Karl Toosbuy, the founder of legendary shoe brand Ecco, Hanni is the chairman of the company while her husband serves as its president. She is worth £1.9 billion.