Bent Wilhelmsen is a Norwegian shipping heir whose immense fortune is rooted in the founding of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL) and the family's long history in the Norwegian shipping industry. He is a member of the same prominent Wilhelmsen family that, alongside the Skaugen and Gotaas Larsen families and Miami hotelier Edwin Stephan, co-founded the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in 1968.

Bent was born in 1959, inheriting a legacy of maritime commerce that dates back to the 19th century in Norway. His wealth is secured by the family's controlling stake in Anders Wilhelmsen AS, the holding company that maintains a significant equity position in RCCL. His career is one of generational stewardship, ensuring the strategic financial stability and growth of the family's assets in the global cruise and shipping sectors.

Bent Wilhelmsen's career is defined by his role as a key family principal overseeing the multi-billion dollar holdings of Anders Wilhelmsen AS. His wealth stems from the family's foresight in recognizing the potential of the modern cruise industry, shifting from traditional cargo shipping to high-volume tourism.

His role involves high-level governance and strategic financial management of the family's stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), a global leader that operates multiple brands (Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, etc.). The family's successful financial management of their RCCL stake—a major publicly traded asset—has ensured their continued billionaire status, even amidst the volatile periods faced by the global tourism industry. Bent Wilhelmsen is a steward of a legacy that transformed the sea from a space of commerce to a destination for mass leisure travel.

Bent Wilhelmsen’s social impact is deeply connected to the massive scale of the global cruise industry, which is a major source of employment and economic activity in port cities around the world. The family's heritage is rooted in the ethical and safety standards of Norwegian maritime tradition.

His family's wealth is leveraged to support various cultural, educational, and maritime safety initiatives, reflecting their long-standing commitment to the sea and Norwegian civic life. His structural contribution is the continuation of a legacy that fundamentally changed the global tourism industry and provides stable employment for tens of thousands of people.

Bent Wilhelmsen maintains the conservative, refined style of a Norwegian shipping heir. His attire is consistently professional and high-quality, favoring tailored business wear suitable for high-level financial and corporate engagements. His aesthetic is one of quiet, inherited prestige and financial discipline.

His lifestyle is secure and influential, centered in Norway and across global business hubs. His luxury is the long-term, stable income provided by the massive cruise industry and the strategic freedom to guide his family’s multi-generational fortune, maintaining the family’s legacy as pioneers of modern seafaring.