Secrecy as Power Shield

“Boussac is ill at ease with an overly visible image: vulnerable to criticisms, indiscretions, and demands. Remaining as secret as possible: this is the condition for independence.”

“Everything must depend on him and him alone, for he is the only one to decide. Proud of having organized his empire based on the power of his brain, he intends to have knowledge of all the  necessary elements and to be the only one to possess them all at once, for he should not—nay, does not want to render accounts to anyone.”

“But creditors who wanted to get an overview of Røkke's fortune had no easy job. Even Kari didn't know about everything they owned. She could perhaps list about 10-15 different companies, while her husband said that "we own about thirty". The tax return didn't reveal much since both ships and properties were listed at the price Røkke originally reported. In the meantime, the prices could well have doubled without it being known. And the tax return was anyway a deeply kept secret from the creditors. Probably the only comprehensive overview existed in one place: in Kjell Inge Røkke's head.”

“The legal documents show that Kari Monsen Røkke was willing to go far to get her share of the fortune. If she couldn't have time with her spouse, she would at least get her share of the money. She knew they were wealthy, but just how wealthy she had no idea, only that it was probably a matter of several tens of millions of kroner. "The standard of living and lifestyle that we have all shared as a family has been extremely high, and to sort out, establish, and identify revenue, tax implications, and the nature and value of the various assets will be a huge job," Kari explained to the court. "I do not have access to enough financial information to determine with certainty all of our sources of income..." But she had to document every single cent she wanted to have, the lawyers said. And they advised her to "vacuum" the house for papers and talk to the couple's financial advisors to possibly learn even more. Kjell Inge had long since stopped involving his wife in economic matters. He had indeed told her that they owned about 32 companies, but what they were called, and what they dealt with, she had no idea. But she bravely began to scrutinize the villa for traces of the fortune, and she worked methodically and was eventually able to provide her lawyers with information.”