In Remembrance: Legendary Space Coast Power Couple Bjornar and Bjorg Hermansen Championed Many Worthy Causes

Hermansen's Hacienda del Sol Became the Go-To Estate for Brevard County Nonprofits

ABOVE VIDEO: Bjornar and Bjorg Hermansen, the legendary Space Coast power couple, both had hearts as big as the ocean that brought them to Brevard County in 1983, when Bjornar launched a cruise line that change the way the world viewed the industry. Bjornar passed away in 2015 and Bjorg died in 2016, and Space Coast Daily honored the couple in 2017 in memoriam with a Central Florida humanitarian Award. (Space Coast Daily video produced in 2017)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – He shaped the cruise ship industry. She shaped the charities of Brevard County. Bjornar and Bjorg Hermansen, the perfect power couple, both had hearts as big as the ocean that brought them to Brevard County in 1983, when Bjornar Hermansen launched a cruise line that change the way the world viewed the industry.

Hermansen launched the new era of cruising from Port Canaveral in 1984, when he and business partner Bruce Nierenberg began Premier Cruise Lines.

Premier turned Port Canaveral into the second largest port in the world for embarking cruise passengers and also transformed cruising into a family affair, not just a pastime for retirees.

The brilliant businessman and his beloved wife were also caring philanthropists who involved themselves in a variety of charitable pursuits from the moment they moved to Brevard.

Named the 2009 Citizens of the Year by Florida Today, the Hermansens both originally hailed from Norway, but Brevard was as beloved. They divided their time between their storied Hacienda del Sol estate in Merritt Island and the family home near Oslo, Norway.

Hacienda del Sol became the go-to estate for local nonprofits that needed to raise significant funds for their many causes. The legendary fetes at Hacienda raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Brevard charities.

“Their home was always a place where wonderful things happened for the community,” said community leader Darcia Jones-Francey.

Championed Many Worthy Causes

Among the organizations the Hermansens championed were the Haven for Children, AMI Kids, Junior Achievement of the Space Coast, Doctors Without Borders, Brevard Symphony Orchestra, Brevard Zoo, the Foosaner Art Museum and Florida Tech through the establishment of the Paul Hermansen Scholarship Fund, in memory of their son, who died in 1996.

They died much too young and within months of each other, but in Brevard County, the Hermansens’ legacy of achievement and compassion will be remembered forever.

The 2017 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities.

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