Sig Hansen wiki/bio, height, net worth, wife, kids, health issues.

Meet Sig Hansen, the fearless captain of the F/V Northwestern, one of the most successful fishing vessels in the history of the Bering Sea. He is a proud Norwegian-American, who inherited his love for the sea and his knack for crab fishing from his ancestors, who were among the pioneers of the Alaskan crab industry. He is also a multi-talented celebrity, who has written a best-selling memoir, lent his voice to animated movies, and starred in the hit reality TV show Deadliest Catch.

But behind the fame and fortune, Sig Hansen has a story of struggle, sacrifice, and survival. He began working on his family’s boat when he was barely a teenager and took over the helm when he was in his early twenties. He has endured some of the most extreme conditions imaginable, from raging storms and towering waves, to freezing temperatures and mechanical breakdowns. He has also faced personal losses, as he has seen some of his closest friends and fellow fishermen perish in the merciless ocean. He knows the dangers, but he also knows the thrill of catching the elusive king and opilio crabs, and the satisfaction of providing for his crew and his family.

Deadliest Catch veteran fisherman Sig Hansen
Sig Hansen

Sig Hansen is more than just a fisherman. He is a visionary, a teacher, a father, and a friend. He has a passion for his profession, a loyalty to his team, and a devotion to his loved ones. He is a legend among his peers, and an inspiration to millions of admirers around the globe. Sig Hansen is the Viking of the Bering Sea, and this is his story.

Net Worth- How Rich is Sig Hansen?

Sig Hansen is not only a skilled fisherman, but also a successful media personality, author, and voice actor. He is the captain of the Northwestern, one of the most productive and safest fishing vessels in the Bering Sea. He has been featured on the hit reality TV show Deadliest Catch since its debut in 2005, and also serves as a technical advisor for the production. He has written a bestselling memoir, North By Northwestern, about his life and career as a fisherman. He has also lent his voice to the animated film Cars 2, and appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Celebrity Apprentice. With his diverse and lucrative ventures, Sig Hansen has earned a net worth of $5 million as of December 2023, making him the richest captain on Deadliest Catch.

Early Life & Education

Sigurd Jonny “Sig” Hansen, born on April 28, 1966, is a Norwegian-American fisherman and TV personality. He grew up in Seattle, Washington, as the eldest son of Snefryd and Sverre Hansen, who were both from a long line of Norwegian fishermen. His father and grandfather were among the first to explore opilio crab fishing in Alaska, a risky but lucrative venture. Sig followed their example and joined the family boat, the Northwestern, at the age of 14. He was passionate about fishing and often skipped school to go to sea. After graduating from Shoreline High School, he dedicated himself to fishing full-time, spending up to 10 months a year in the Bering Sea. He became the captain of the Northwestern at the age of 24 and led it to become one of the most successful and safest boats in the fleet.

Professional Career

Sig Hansen started his professional career as a deckhand on his father’s boat at the age of 14. He followed his family tradition of fishing in Alaska and Norway, and worked his way up the ranks. By the age of 22, he became a relief skipper, taking over the helm of the Northwestern and other boats in the fleet when needed. Two years later, he assumed the full-time captaincy of the Northwestern, a position he has held for over 30 years. Under his command, the Northwestern has become one of the top producers and one of the safest ships on the Bering Sea. Sig Hansen is also a star of the documentary television series Deadliest Catch, a published author, and a voice actor.

Deadliest Catch:

Sig Hansen was one of the first names when plans were drawn for the “Deadliest Catch.” The show which premiered on the Discovery Channel in 2005 chronicles the lives of commercial crab fishermen who face various challenges and dangers on their fishing boats, such as harsh weather, unpredictable currents, and fierce competition.

Deadliest Catch star Sig Hansen
Deadliest Catch star Sig Hansen

Sig Hansen joined the cast of Deadliest Catch in 2005 and has been featured in every season since then, serving also as a technical advisor for the production. He has appeared in 259 episodes from 2005 to 2023. Under his command, Northwestern has become a top producer with an excellent safety record. It has won the final derby seasons for both King Crab and Opilio in 2005 and 2006, respectively, earning the highest poundage and the highest dollars among the featured boats in the show.

Spin-off Deadliest Catch: The Vikings Return

“Deadliest Catch: The Viking Returns” is a spin-off series of the popular reality show “Deadliest Catch”, which follows the lives and challenges of crab fishermen in Alaska. The spin-off features Sig Hansen, a veteran captain of the Northwestern, and his daughter Mandy Hansen, who is also his co-captain and partner. The father-daughter duo decided to leave Alaska and return to their ancestral home of Norway, where they hoped to build a new fishing empire and explore their rich heritage. They faced new dangers and opportunities in the Nordic seas, as they competed with local fishermen and learned from their traditions. Their journey was filmed and aired on Discovery and discovery+ in September 2022. The series also featured Jake Anderson, another captain from “Deadliest Catch”, who joined Sig and Mandy in Norway and helped them navigate the unfamiliar waters. The series received positive reviews from critics and fans, who praised the scenery, the culture, and the bond between Sig and Mandy.

Sig Hansen: A Seafarer of Many Talents

Sig is not only a seafarer, but also a writer and a voice actor. He co-authored a book with Mark Sundeen called North By Northwestern: A Seafaring Family on Deadly Alaskan Waters, which became a bestseller in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. He lent his voice to a boat named Crabby in the Disney Pixar film Cars 2. He also helped produce the show “Deadliest Catch” as a technical advisor. In 2014, he received the honor of being inducted into the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame.

Public appearances:

Sig Hansen has made several public appearances over the years, both as a captain and as a celebrity. Some of his notable appearances include:

  • Visiting the 7 Seas in Gloucester, Massachusetts, to help raise money for the Plum Cove School in 2008
  • Attending the premiere of Cars 2 in Hollywood, California, in 2011
  • Being a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2010, where he expressed his interest in joining Dancing with the Stars.
  • Being a guest on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson in 2012, where he talked about his book and his show.
  • Being a guest on The Adam Carolla Show podcast in 2015, where he discussed his life and career.
  • Being a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2020, where he shared some stories and advice from his experience at sea.

Social Media:

Sig Hansen’s social media presence is mainly focused on his Instagram account, where he has over 48,000 followers. His Instagram handle is @northwesternsig, which refers to his boat, the Northwestern. He posts photos and videos of his fishing adventures, his family and friends, his travels, his hobbies, and his show. He also interacts with his fans and fellow fishermen by replying to comments and messages. He sometimes promotes his merchandise or other projects on his Instagram as well. He also has a Facebook page and a Twitter account, but he is less active on those platforms. You can follow him on Instagram to get a glimpse of his life and personality.

Personal Life

Wife and Kids:

Sig Hansen is married to June Hansen, whose first name is pronounced “U nah” with a silent J. June has also appeared in some episodes of Deadliest Catch and its spin-offs, but not much else is known about her. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2019, while Sig has had his own health issues. He suffered two heart attacks in 2016 and 2018, and had to get medical clearance to return to the show in season 15.

Sig and June have not had any biological children together, but they have adopted two daughters: Nina and Mandy Hansen. Both of them share their father’s passion for fishing and have worked on the Northwestern. Sig also has another daughter, Melissa Eckstrom, from his previous marriage to Lisa Eckstrom in the 80s and early 90s. Sig is a proud grandfather of two: Sailor Pederson, Mandy’s son with her husband Clark Pederson, and Jackson, Nina’s son born on June 18, 2017.

Relationship with Mandy Hansen:

Sig Hansen’s relationship with his daughter, Mandy Hansen, is close and supportive. Mandy is one of Sig’s adopted daughters, along with Nina. She grew up fishing and learned the ropes from her father. She joined the Northwestern crew as a deckhand in 2014 and became a relief captain in 2019. She is also a mother to a daughter named Sailor, who was born in 2020. Sig is proud of Mandy’s achievements and skills as a fisherman and a leader. He also respects her decisions and supports her dreams. He sometimes gives her advice or guidance, but he also trusts her judgment and abilities. You can see some examples of Sig and Mandy’s relationship on their Instagram pages or on their show, Deadliest Catch, or on their spin-off series, Deadliest Catch: The Viking Returns.

Physical and Personality Traits:

Sig Hansen has a standing of 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m). He has blue eyes and grey/brown hair. Sig’s zodiac is Aries and according to astrology readings, he is said to possess the personality traits of being fiery, passionate, high energy, domineering, determined, confident, and courageous.

Dressing Style:

Sig Hansen’s dressing style is mostly influenced by his profession as a fisherman and his heritage as a Norwegian. He usually wears practical and comfortable clothes that can withstand the harsh conditions of the sea, such as jackets, sweaters, jeans, boots, and hats. He also likes to wear clothes that feature his boat’s name, Northwestern, or his show’s logo, Deadliest Catch. He often wears blue or black colors that match his eyes and hair. He also accessorizes with sunglasses, a watch, and a ring. Sometimes, he dresses up for special occasions, such as premieres or interviews, where he wears suits, ties, or vests. He also likes to wear clothes that reflect his Norwegian culture, such as sweaters with Nordic patterns or hats with Norwegian flags.

Wiki/Bio facts:

Full nameSigurd Jonny Hansen
Age 57 years old
Date of BirthApril 28, 1966
Place of BirthSeattle, Washington, United States of America
NationalityAmerican
EthnicityCaucasian
Religion Christian
EducationShoreline High School
ProfessionTV personality, Commercial Fisherman, Author, Producer, Voice Actor, & Boat Captain
Net worth$5 M
GenderMale
SexualityStraight
Relationship StatusCommitted
Marital StatusMarried
WifeJune Hansen
Ex-wifeLisa Eckstrom
KidsNina Hansen, Mandy Hansen, Mellisa Eckstrom
Eye colorBlue
Hair ColorGrey/Brown
Height 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m)
Parents Sverre and Snefryd Hansen
SiblingsEdgar Hansen, Norman Hansen
Social MediaFacebook, Instagram

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