Ballard

"The old-timers were completely wrong about Kjell Inge Røkke. He quickly made his mark as someone who knew where he wanted to go, and he quickly became known for his big mouth in the Norwegian community in Ballard, a neighborhood just over the ship canal north of downtown Seattle. They laughed at Røkke's optimism, but the laughter was good-natured. The expatriate Norwegians had seen fortunes made – and blown – in the fisheries before. They had been with big shots up and down, and now here was a newcomer who wanted to live high from day one."

"When Røkke reflects on those early years today, the memories are characterized by the impoverished existence. The description is probably correct, but just a part of the truth, because Røkke did not save all his money, he also afforded some status symbols. People remember well that he bought an old, well-used Mercedes before he had a nail in the wall. He drove around in it and showed himself off in Ballard. Granted, the engine block was cracked, but high oil consumption did not stop Røkke from appearing as a wealthy guy living by the principle: If you want to be rich, you must act accordingly – and no one believes you have money until you show it."