Isak Andic, the Man Who Built Mango, Dies at 71 in Cave Accident

TDT | Manama
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Isak Andic, the billionaire founder of the global fashion chain Mango, tragically passed away on Saturday in a cave accident near Barcelona. The 71-year-old businessman, originally from Turkey, fell down a ravine while hiking in the Montserrat mountain range, a popular area known for its deep caves. Spanish media reports indicate that Andic was exploring the caves with his son and other family members at the time of the accident.

Authorities were alerted around 1:00 PM local time when Andic fell, and a large emergency response was launched. A helicopter and a specialized mountain rescue team were dispatched to the scene. Despite their efforts, Andic was pronounced dead after the fall, which occurred in a 150-meter deep ravine.

Andic co-founded Mango in 1984 with his brother Nahman in Barcelona. Since then, the brand has become one of the most recognizable names in fashion, with nearly 3,000 outlets in 120 countries. Forbes had estimated Andic's net worth to be $4.5 billion, making him one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs in Spain.

Mango shared a heartfelt tribute on X (formerly Twitter):

"It is with deep regret that we announce the unexpected death of Isak Andic, our non-executive Chairman and founder of Mango, in an accident that occurred this Saturday.
Isak has been an example for all of us. He dedicated his life to Mango, leaving an indelible mark thanks to his strategic vision, his inspiring leadership and his unwavering commitment to values that he himself imbued in our company. His legacy reflects the achievements of a business project marked by success, and also by his human quality, his proximity and the care and affection that he always had and at all times conveyed to the entire organization.
His departure leaves a huge void but all of us are, in some way, his legacy and the testimony of his achievements. It is up to us, and this is the best tribute we can make to Isak and which we will fulfill, to ensure that Mango continues to be the project that Isak aspired to and of which he would feel proud.
In these extremely difficult times we share the pain of the family as if it were our own."

In a statement, Mango CEO Toni Ruiz expressed his sorrow, saying, "His departure leaves a huge void, but all of us are, in some way, his legacy and the testimony of his achievements. It is up to us to ensure Mango continues to be the project that Isak aspired to and of which he would feel proud."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also expressed his condolences, calling Andic a visionary businessman whose work helped establish Mango as a global leader in fashion. "All my love and recognition for your great work and business vision, which has turned this Spanish firm into a world leader in fashion," Sánchez said.

Catalonia's President, Salvador Illa Roca, paid tribute to Andic’s contributions, describing him as a committed businessman who helped elevate Catalonia’s global reputation.

Andic had been living in the Catalonia region since the 1960s and held the position of non-executive chairman of Mango at the time of his death. Under his leadership, Mango achieved a turnover of €3.1 billion in 2023. His brand rivaled Zara, another Spanish fashion giant, led by Amancio Ortega.

Mango’s rise to prominence was significantly bolstered in 2011 when British supermodel Kate Moss became the face of the brand, particularly in the UK market.

Isak Andic’s passing marks the end of an era for Mango, a company that has left a lasting impact on the global fashion industry.