Norwegian of the Century

The poll was SMS-based and over 400,000 Norwegians voted over the course of the year.

All Norwegians were eligible for nomination, and there were initially 600 people on the list.

A "Great Norwegian Committee" (Store Norske komiteen) consisting of Nils Arne Eggen, Astrid Nøklebye Heiberg, Guri Hjeltnes, Harald Norvik, Erling Sandmo and Cathrine Sandnes narrowed the list down to 50.

[2] Another poll was conducted, again SMS-based, with the results presented live on NRK1 on 17 December 2005.

The winner, with 41% of the vote, was King Olav V. Former Prime Minister Einar Gerhardsen was second with 24%, followed by Erik Bye with 15%.