Gary Tharaldson Biography
Gary Tharaldson is an American entrepreneur and founder of the Tharaldson Companies. He was born and grew up in Dazey, North Dakota.
Gary Tharaldson Age
Tharaldson was born in 1945 in Dazey, North Dakota, United States. He is 79 years old as of 2023. His month and date of birth have not been publicized. Therefore it’s unknown when he celebrates his birthday.
Gary Tharaldson Height
Tharaldson Stands at an average height of 5 feet 7 inches tall.
Gary Tharaldson Family
Tharaldson was born in and grew up in Dazey, North Dakota. He has managed to keep his family information away from the limelight therefore it is unknown who his parents and siblings are.
Gary Tharaldson Wife
Tharaldson’s wife is Connie Tharaldson. They have been married for many years and have constructed a successful life together in North Dakota. While Connie opts to stay out of the spotlight, she earns recognition for her role as a supportive and hardworking partner. Connie actively participates in philanthropy alongside Gary, backing various causes in their community and beyond.
Gary Tharaldson Children
Tharaldson is quite private about his personal life, and there is not much information publicly available about his children. Publications from 2019 reveal that he has six children, with ages ranging from 8 months to 29 years old. He specifically mentioned Gary Tharaldson II, one of his children, as being actively involved in the family business, Tharaldson Companies.
Gary Tharaldson Career
After graduating, Tharaldson did graduate work at North Dakota State University in Fargo and taught school in Leonard, North Dakota for two years.
Tharalson Companies
In 1982, he made his initial investment in a Super 8 motel located in Valley City, North Dakota. Over time, Tharaldson expanded his wealth by acquiring and constructing hotels across the United States, amassing a portfolio of approximately 350 properties.
In 2006, he made a significant sale of 130 hotels to Goldman Sachs for approximately $1.2 billion. He then reinvested the proceeds into various real estate ventures, including land and developments in both commercial and residential sectors.
Tharaldson’s achievements have earned him a place among the Forbes 400 Richest Americans in 1998. Since its inception, his enterprise has grown into one of the nation’s largest hotel developers. The management of his assets is overseen by Diversified Asset Management, headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.
During an interview with KVRR TV, Tharaldson disclosed insights into his path to success in business. He attributed his strong work ethic to his formative years spent working on a farm during high school, where he earned $50 per month alongside room and board.
Transitioning into the insurance industry, Tharaldson highlighted its transformative impact on his life. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, stating, “I developed a real positive attitude about things and trying to be the best you can be.” Additionally, he emphasized his practice of sharing the company’s success with employees as a key factor in enhancing the organization’s overall performance.
Hall of Fame
Tharaldson has been inducted into at least two Hall of Fames:
1. Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame: Gary Tharaldson was inducted in 2003 for his achievements in business and contributions to the Scandinavian-American community. He built a successful hotel empire known for its innovative “think small” approach, focusing on limited-service hotels across the Midwest.
2. ASA Softball Hall of Fame: Gary Tharaldson was inducted for his dedication to supporting softball for over 38 years. He sponsored teams across various divisions, including men’s, women’s, and junior Olympic teams. He also provided trophies and banners for state tournaments and sponsored events like the North Dakota Hall of Fame Banquet. Notably, he actively played softball himself, winning two National Championships and playing over 1,000 games as a pitcher.
Gary Tharaldson Net Worth
Tharaldson has an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion.