- Lived his last years in Güímar, Tenerife, Canary Islands.
- According to a public opinion poll in his homeland, he was considered to be the "Norwegian of the Century."
- Kon-Tiki (1950), the film based on his book and documenting his legendary adventure crossing the Pacific in a 40-foot balsa raft in 101 days, won an Oscar.
- Distantly related to James Arness and Peter Graves.
- Together with actress Liv Ullmann he hosted the opening and closing ceremonies at the 1994 Winter Olympic Games at Lillehammer.
- His books have sold more than 50 million copies world-wide.
- Is a member of honor of the Adventurers Club, Denmark.
- Children include sons Thor, Jr. and Bjorn; daughters Marian and Helene Elisabeth.
- Uncle of actor Christopher Heyerdahl.
- When he passed away, his widow, former Hollywood actress and Miss France Jacqueline Beer, received condolences from people like Fidel Castro and Mikhail Gorbachev.
- In February of 2000 he received the "Award of Honour" at the Danish "Adventure Film Festival". The award was designed by Danish designer Henriette Willerup.
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