Mr. Odd Borlaug, the oldest living man in Norway, has celebrated his 109th birthday today in Vik, Vestland County.

Mr. Borlaug was born and raised in the village of Feios in Vik Municipality, on 31 March 1917. He received little formal education and had to start working at a young age.

When World War II broke out, he was 23 years old and called to serve. Odd took part in the fighting in Valdres. On 9 April 1940, when Germany occupied Norway, he was stationed in Vetlefjorden, on the northern side of the Sognefjord. After World War II, he purchased a small farm, Bakkane, in his hometown of Feios. After the war, he married his wife, Ragna. His wife passed away in 2018. They had two children.

He enjoyed fishing throughout his life, even in old age. At 99, he went to buy new salmon fishing gear. When the total came to nearly 10,000 kroner (around 950 USD) for the rod, reel, and line, the salesperson at the sports store asked if he found it expensive. “No, not at all. An investment for the future,” he replied. In 2023, at the age of 106, some media outlets named him the world’s oldest living fisherman.

Following the passing of 109-year-old Vidar Eide, he became the oldest living man in Norway.

Happy 109th Birthday!