Trygve Lie
Political Leaders

Trygve Lie Net Worth

Trygve Lie was a Norwegian politician and the first Secretary-General of the United Nations. He had a difficult childhood, but went on to graduate with a law degree from the University of Oslo and joined the Labour Party at the age of 16. He served in various ministerial positions before becoming Foreign Minister of the Norwegian government-in-exile during the Second World War. After the war, he was appointed the first Secretary-General of the United Nations and served for six years, tackling crises in different parts of the world. He then returned to Norwegian politics.
Trygve Lie is a member of Political Leaders

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? First Secretary General of the U.N
Birth Day July 16, 1896
Birth Place Oslo, Norwegian
Age 123 YEARS OLD
Died On 30 December 1968(1968-12-30) (aged 72)\nGeilo, Norway
Birth Sign Leo
Preceded by Halvdan Koht
Succeeded by Halvard Lange
Monarch Haakon VII
Prime Minister Johan Nygaardsvold Einar Gerhardsen
Political party Norwegian Labour Party
Spouse(s) Hjørdis Jørgensen (married 1921, died 1960)
Children Sissel, Guri, Mette

💰 Net worth

Trygve Lie, best known as the First Secretary General of the United Nations, is estimated to have a net worth ranging from $100,000 to $1 million in 2024. Born in Norway, Lie made significant contributions to international diplomacy during his tenure, working tirelessly to promote peace and resolve conflicts worldwide. His remarkable service reflects his commitment to the noble ideals of the United Nations. Despite a modest estimation of his net worth, Trygve Lie's invaluable legacy as a diplomat and his instrumental role in shaping global affairs resonate well beyond monetary considerations.

Biography/Timeline

1896

Lie was born in Kristiania on 16 July 1896. His father, carpenter Martin Lie, left the family to emigrate to the United States in 1902, and was never heard from again. Trygve grew up under poor conditions together with his mother Hulda and a sister who was six at the time. His mother ran a boarding house and café in Grorud in Oslo.

1898

He married Hjørdis Jørgensen (1898-1960), in 1921. The couple had three daughters, Sissel, Guri, and Mette.

1911

Lie joined the Labour Party in 1911 and was named as the party's national secretary soon after receiving his law degree from the University of Oslo in 1919. Lie was editor-in-chief for Det 20de Aarhundre ('The 20th Century') from 1919 to 1921. From 1922 to 1935 he was a legal consultant for the Workers' National Trade Union (named Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions from 1957). He chaired the Norwegian Workers' Confederation of Sports from 1931 to 1935.

1922

In local politics he served as a member of the executive committee of Aker municipality council from 1922 to 1931. He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Akershus in 1937. He was appointed Minister of Justice when a Labour Party government was formed by Johan Nygaardsvold in 1935. Lie was later appointed Minister of Trade (July to October 1939) and Minister of Supplies (October 1939 to 1941).

1940

In 1940 when Norway was invaded by Nazi Germany, Lie ordered all Norwegian ships to sail to Allied ports. In 1941 Lie was named as Foreign Minister of the Norwegian government-in-exile, and he remained in this position till 1946.

1946

Lie led the Norwegian delegation to the United Nations conference in San Francisco in 1945 and was a leader in drafting the provisions of the United Nations Security Council. He was the leader of the Norwegian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in 1946. On 1 February 1946, he was elected as the first Secretary-General of the United Nations as a result of a compromise between the major powers, having missed being elected President of the first General Assembly by only a small margin.

1950

On 1 November 1950, over objections from the Soviet Union, the UN General Assembly voted by 46 votes to 5 (and 8 abstentions) to extend Lie's term of office. The vote was a consequence of an impasse in the Security Council in which the Soviet Union refused to consider Lie due to his involvement in the Korean War, while the US refused to accept any candidate except Lie. The Soviet Union subsequently refused to acknowledge Lie as Secretary-General and, having been accused by Joseph McCarthy of hiring "disloyal" Americans – an allegation that he attributed to the pressing need for civil servants following the establishment of the UN – Lie resigned on 10 November 1952.

1966

Trygve Lie was awarded a large number of Norwegian and foreign orders. Among these, the Norwegian highest civilian award Medal for Outstanding Civic Service (Medaljen for borgerdåd) (1966), the Grand Cross of the Order of Dannebrog (1954) and Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav (1953), Czechoslovak OWL (1948). He was awarded numerous honorary doctorates by universities throughout the U.S. and Europe. Trygve Lie was the holder of a number of other orders, decorations and other honors.

1968

Lie died on 30 December 1968 of a heart attack in Geilo, Norway. He was 72 years old.

Some Trygve Lie images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.