Who Is Gunnar Sønsteby? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Age: As of 2025, Gunnar Sønsteby would have been 107 years old if he were still alive. He was born on January 11, 1918, in Norway and passed away on May 8, 2012, leaving behind a legacy of heroism and sacrifice. Recognized for his exceptional contributions to the Norwegian resistance during World War II, Sønsteby's life is a testament to courage in the face of oppression.
| Occupation | Activists |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 11, 1918 |
| Age | 94 Years |
| Birth Place | Rjukan, Norway |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | Norway |
| Date of death | 10 May, 2012 |
| Died Place | Oslo, Norway |
Popularity
Gunnar Sønsteby's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Sønsteby's height and weight have not been widely reported, he was known to be a fit and agile individual during his youth, which helped him successfully navigate the challenges posed by his resistance activities. His measurements, though not documented, reflected the vitality and determination that drove him throughout his remarkable life.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Gunnar Sønsteby was known for his commitment to family and country. He was married to Karin Sønsteby, with whom he shared a strong bond built on mutual respect and shared values. While not much is publicly known about his personal relationships, it is clear that Sønsteby placed great importance on family ties, often highlighting the sacrifices made by his loved ones during the war.
Sønsteby himself explained his ability to get through the war without capture on his ability to carry out many of his actions himself and on his ability to arrange for his own ID papers. He had 20 to 30 places where he spent the night, many for only one night at a time, and never used any of them for more than a couple months.
To avoid detection, he moved from flat to flat almost daily. One of his hideaways was above a bakery. "When I came to the baker's shop I always looked at the girl selling bread. If she gave a special face I would know the Germans were there. I would turn around," Sønsteby later said.
Aftenposten described him as having "nerves of steel" and he himself said that he had inherited a strong psychological makeup from his parents.
"I was so cold," he once said, "that some time I didn't react the way I should have." During the last six months of the war he carried a hand grenade at all times, so that he could commit suicide if he was arrested. Not until the very end of the war, he explained, did he begin to experience anxiety.
Net Worth and Salary
Gunnar Sønsteby's net worth at the time of his passing was not publicly disclosed, but it is clear that his contributions were more about patriotism than wealth accumulation. Over the years, he received various honors and awards that recognized his bravery rather than financial accolades. Nonetheless, his legacy is invaluable, showcasing the sacrifices made by those in the line of duty.
Career, Business, and Investments
Gunnar Sønsteby's career was primarily marked by his role in the Norwegian resistance against Nazi occupation during World War II, where he conducted sabotage and intelligence operations. Post-war, he pursued a successful career in business, contributing to Norway's development and growth in the years that followed.
His investments and entrepreneurial ventures were focused on industries that promoted Norwegian interests and economic stability. Sønsteby also took part in various speaking engagements and public discussions, championing the causes of freedom and democracy.
Gunnar Fridtjof Thurmann Sønsteby DSO (11 January 1918 – 10 May 2012) was a member of the Norwegian resistance movement during the German occupation of Norway in World War II. Known by the nickname "Kjakan" ("The Chin") and as "Agent No.
24", he was the most highly decorated citizen in Norway, including being the only person to have been awarded the War Cross with three swords, Norway's highest military decoration.
Social Network
In the years following his death, Gunnar Sønsteby has continued to be celebrated on various social network platforms like Facebook and Twitter, where dedicated pages and groups commemorate his life and contributions. Online discussions around his legacy also thrive on platforms such as Reddit and specialized history forums, ensuring that his story remains alive in the collective memory of audiences interested in World War II history and Norwegian resistance efforts.
Throughout the post war years and particularly after his retirement, Sønsteby gave many lectures in an effort to pass on the lessons of the Second World War to future generations. His credo, he said, was as follows: "As long as I live, I will tell the important facts.
The historians can analyze, but I was there." Harald Stanghelle wrote in 2018 that Sønsteby was for many years a "living war encyclopedia" who helped serve as "an effective political vaccine against all forms of fascism" and who, while "factually oriented and sober," could get angry in debates at persons who tried to equate democracies with autocr
acies and had little patience for "historyless historians and ignorant journalists." At the same time, he minimised his own personal contributions to the war effort, saying that the merchant marines had played a more significant role in Norway's fight against the Nazi occupiers.
Education
Details of Sønsteby's educational background are somewhat scarce. However, it is acknowledged that his experiences during World War II significantly shaped his views and understanding of the world. His education was likely supplemented by the practical knowledge he gained through his resistance operations, forming a foundation for his later successes in business and public life.
Born in Rjukan, in Telemark, he was the son of Margit and Gustav Sønsteby. As a boy he enjoyed walking in the mountains around Rjukan with his school friends, many of whom later became members of the Resistance alongside him. He attended what is now Rjukan videregående skole, earning an examen artium.
Among the members of his graduating class in 1937 were later Resistance fighters such as Knut Haugland, Halvor Rivrud, Olav Skogen, Leif Nilsen, Rolf Solem, Turjus Aarnes, Knut Berge, and Einar Nordgaard.
