You probably know Evan Ross from his roles in The Hunger Games or maybe you've spotted him on the red carpet with his wife, Ashlee Simpson. People usually connect him instantly to his mother—the legendary Motown queen Diana Ross. But whenever the question of Evan Ross father comes up, the story takes a turn from Hollywood glitz to the rugged mountains of Norway and the high-stakes world of international shipping.
His father wasn't a musician or an actor. He was a man who lived a life so cinematic it honestly makes a movie script look boring.
Meet Arne Næss Jr.: The Man Behind the Name
Evan Ross was born Evan Olav Næss. His father, Arne Næss Jr., was a Norwegian businessman, a shipping magnate, and one of the most respected mountaineers of his generation. Born in Germany in 1937, Arne’s early life was shaped by the chaos of World War II. After his parents divorced, he moved to Norway with his mother and took her maiden name, Næss.
He wasn't just some rich heir sitting on a yacht. Well, he was an heir to a shipping dynasty, but he worked for it. In the mid-60s, he moved to New York to work for his uncle, Erling Dekke Næss, who was a massive deal in the shipping world. By 1968, Arne was striking out on his own in London, building an empire in oil, real estate, and shipping that was eventually worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
📖 Related: Jada Pinkett Smith With Hair: What Most People Get Wrong About Her Journey
More Than Just a Businessman
If you think a "shipping tycoon" sounds like a guy in a stuffy suit, you've got the wrong idea about Arne Næss Jr. This guy lived for the edge. While he was managing global portfolios, he was also planning expeditions to the most dangerous peaks on the planet.
In 1985, he led the first-ever Norwegian expedition to the summit of Mount Everest. Think about that for a second. While most people in the mid-80s were worried about their hair or their car, he was standing at the highest point on Earth. He famously said in an interview that if he didn't like risk, he would’ve just played tennis or golf. He chose the mountains instead.
The Whirlwind Romance with Diana Ross
So, how does a Norwegian mountain climber meet a global pop diva? They met in the Bahamas in 1985. It sounds like a scene from a romance novel, and frankly, the wedding wasn't much different. They tied the knot in 1986 in Switzerland.
👉 See also: How Tall is Charlie Hurt? The Fox News Personality Explained
The marriage lasted about 15 years. During that time, they had two sons: Ross Arne Næss and Evan Olav Næss. Arne also became a stepfather to Diana’s daughters from previous relationships—Tracee Ellis Ross, Chudney Ross, and Rhonda Ross Kendrick. By all accounts, the family was tight. Even though the marriage ended in divorce in 2000, the bond between the kids and their father remained incredibly strong.
A Life Cut Short in the Mountains
The most tragic part of the Evan Ross father story is how it ended. Arne Næss Jr. died doing exactly what he loved, which is both poetic and heartbreaking. In January 2004, he was staying with a friend in South Africa. He went out for what should have been a relatively straightforward climb in the Groot Drakenstein mountains near Cape Town.
Something went wrong with his anchoring equipment. He fell more than 100 meters. He was only 66 years old.
✨ Don't miss: How Tall is Aurora? Why the Norwegian Star's Height Often Surprises Fans
Evan was just a teenager when he lost his father. You can see the impact of that loss in how Evan speaks about him today. He often posts tributes on social media, emphasizing that his father taught him how to be a man and how to stay grounded despite the fame surrounding their family.
Legacy and Family Ties
Arne's legacy isn't just in the business world or on the peaks of the Himalayas. It’s in his children. He had seven kids in total across his different relationships, including the singer-songwriter Leona Næss.
- Ross Arne Næss: Evan’s older brother who shares their father’s love for the outdoors.
- The Philosophy Connection: Arne’s uncle was the famous philosopher Arne Næss, who founded "Deep Ecology." This family was basically a powerhouse of intellect and adventure.
What You Can Learn from the Life of Arne Næss Jr.
Looking at the life of Evan Ross father, it’s clear he wasn't interested in a "safe" existence. He balanced the corporate world with the physical world in a way few people ever manage.
If you're looking to apply some of that "Arne Næss" energy to your own life, here’s the takeaway:
- Embrace Calculated Risk: Whether it's a career move or a literal mountain, growth usually happens where you're a bit uncomfortable.
- Diverse Interests Matter: You don't have to be just "the business person" or "the creative person." You can lead a shipping empire and be a world-class athlete.
- Family First: Despite the divorces and the distance, his children still speak of him with immense respect and love. Character shows in how you're remembered by those closest to you.
If you want to dig deeper into the Næss family history, I'd suggest looking into the work of his uncle, the philosopher. It gives a lot of context to why the family viewed the world—and the environment—the way they did. It's not just celebrity trivia; it's a look at a dynasty built on grit and deep thought.