One half along with Violinist Fionnuala Sherry of the Celtic instrumental group Secret Garden which won the Eurovision Song Contest 1995.
He was already a one-time grand prize winner before winning Eurovision 1995 with "La det swinge," his piece from 1985.
He had more than 60 musical compositions on Norway's charts and earned the country's version of the Grammy, all before starting Secret Garden.
His family was residing in Kristiansand in southern Norway when he was born.
His most famous composition "You Raise Me Up" was covered by everyone from Josh Groban to Westlife.
