Forbes declares Gary Tharaldson North Dakota’s first billionaire

FARGO — An online story published by Forbes on Wednesday asserts that Gary Tharaldson, known as the wealthiest person in North Dakota, has become the state’s first and only billionaire.

When Forbes contacted Tharaldson to ask him about Forbes’ estimate of his wealth at $1 billion, Tharaldson is quoted as stating: “Obviously we wouldn’t sell for that,” adding he felt the estimate was very conservative.

Tharaldson, 73, said his net worth isn’t what is most important to him, telling Forbes: “I work because I love what I do.”

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