The news came as a big surprise, since it was expected that the art collection of Haaken A Christensen would be donated to a prominent Norwegian art museum.
Christensen had previously given money to the Henie-Onstad art centre outside of Oslo for a new exhibition space, the Haaken Sal, which was opened in 2003.
Christensen had no close family and had also been donating to the Norwegian branch of Doctors without Borders on a regular basis, said his lawyer.
"He expressed great respect for this organization," said the lawyer, explaining that Christensen was especially impressed by the minimal administration costs of Doctors Without Borders, meaning a maximum of resources reach those who need the help.
Christensen's will did not specify how the collection, which includes five works by Picasso and one Matisse painting, should be sold or how the funds should be used. Doctors Without Borders has been given full charge, and the art collection will now most likely be sold off in parts or piece-by-piece.
"We are so grateful," said emergency help coordinator Rakel Helen Ludviksen in Doctors Without Borders, Norway. "This gift can save tens of thousands of lives," she said.
The gift is reportedly the largest that Doctors Without Borders has ever received and equals about 5 percent of its global annual budget in 2006.
