Gary Tharaldson was born in and grew up in Dazey, North Dakota.

He graduated from Valley City State University with degrees in business administration and physical education.

[4] Tharaldson Hospitality builds and operates hotels across the United States.

Gary Tharaldson is listed among the 1998 Forbes 400 Richest Americans, and his organization, since its establishment, has grown to be one of America's largest developers of new hotels.

[5] In March 2006, the Tharaldson Family sold 130 hotels to the Whitehall Real Estate Fund (Division of Goldman Sachs) for $1.2 billion in cash.