Aðalsteinn Jónsson (30 January 1922 – 30 April 2008) was an

Iceland Iceland is a Nordic countries, Nordic island country between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is culturally and politically linked with Europe and is the regi ...

ic business man. Nicknamed Alli ríki (English: Alli the rich), he was best known as the chief executive officer of ''Hraðfrystihús Eskifjarðar'', a major

fishing Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment (Freshwater ecosystem, freshwater or Marine ecosystem, marine), but may also be caught from Fish stocking, stocked Body of water, ...

and

fish processing The term fish processing refers to the processes associated with fish and fish products between the time fish are caught or harvested, and the time the final product is delivered to the customer. Although the term refers specifically to fish, in ...

company in

, for 41 years. For his achievements, he was awarded both the Knight's Cross and the Grand Knight's Cross of the

Order of the Falcon The Order of the Falcon () is the only order of chivalry in Iceland, founded by Christian X of Denmark, King Christian X of Denmark and Iceland on 3 July 1921. The award is awarded for merit for Iceland and humanity and has five degrees. Nowaday ...

Early life

Aðalsteinn was born into poverty at the Eskifjarðarsel farm in

Eskifjörður Eskifjörður (in original spelling; ), or Eskifjördur, is a town and port in eastern Iceland with a large fishing industry. With a population of 1,043 it is one of the most populous towns in the municipality of Fjarðabyggð. History Eskifjör� ...

Kingdom of Iceland The Kingdom of Iceland (; ) was a sovereign and independent country under a constitutional and hereditary monarchy that was established by the Act of Union with Denmark signed on 1 December 1918. It lasted until 17 June 1944 when a national ...

, to Jón Kjartansson and Guðrún Þorkelsdóttir. He was the second youngest of six children.

Business career

Aðalsteinn started working in the fishing industry at an early age and bought his first share in a boat in 1946. In 1960, he took over as CEO of the nearly bankrupt ''Hraðfrystihús Eskifjarðar'' and turned it into one of the most successful companies in Iceland. He served as CEO to 2001 and in 2004 he sold all of his stocks in the company, now known as ''Eskja'', to his son-in-law and retired.

Personal life

Aðalsteinn married Guðlaug Kristbjörg Stefánsdóttir on 26 June 1948 and with her had four children.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jonsson, Adalsteinn 1922 births 2008 deaths Aðalsteinn Jónsson Recipients of the Order of the Falcon Aðalsteinn Jónsson