The fashion world is mourning the loss of Isak Andic Ermay, the founder of the iconic Spanish clothing brand Mango. Born in Istanbul, the 71-year-old businessman tragically passed away during a family outing in Catalonia's mountainous region. His death has left the global business community in shock. Who was Isak Andic Ermay, and what led to his untimely passing? Here are the details surrounding his life and legacy.
Isak Andic Ermay was born in October 1953 in Istanbul. He is the son of Manuel Andic Ermay, an electrical equipment importer from Istanbul. Isak began his education in Turkey, completing his primary education at Tarhan College and later graduating from Robert College. In 1968, when he was just 14 years old, his father lost his job, leading the family to move to Spain, where they settled in Barcelona to start a new life.
At a young age, Isak Andic Ermay and his older brother Nahman ventured into business together. Their first steps into the textile and fashion industry involved producing embroidered t-shirts and wooden clogs. Isak dropped out of higher education to focus on business, opening his first stores in Barcelona and Madrid in 1979 under the Isak Jeans brand. In 1984, with entrepreneur Enric Cusi acquiring shares in their business, the Andic brothers founded the global fashion giant Mango. They chose the name 'Mango' because it is pronounced the same way in every language. From the beginning, their goal was to build an international brand. In 1992, Mango opened its first international store, and four years later, in 1996, it expanded to Turkey with a store in Istanbul.
Having built Mango into a global brand with a presence in 107 countries, Isak Andic Ermay joined the board of directors of Spanish bank Banco Sabadell in 2006. By 2012, he became the bank's largest shareholder, owning a 7% stake. Recognized as one of Europe's wealthiest individuals, Andic's fortune often made headlines. According to the renowned financial magazine Forbes, as of 2015, Isak Andic Ermay’s net worth was estimated at $4.8 billion.
Isak Andic Ermay was married to Neus Raig Tarrago. After their divorce, the couple had three children: Jonathan Andic, Judith Andic, and Sarah Andic. Jonathan Andic currently serves as the Vice Chairman of Mango's Board of Directors.
Isak Andic Ermay tragically passed away during a family outing in the Montserrat mountainous region of Catalonia. The world-renowned businessman fell 150 meters into a void after reportedly slipping off a hiking trail. His son and wife were with him during the accident, and his son, who was walking ahead, witnessed the moment of the fall. Following the tragic incident in the morning, police recovered Isak Andic Ermay’s body around 3:30 PM. Reports indicated that an autopsy would be conducted as part of the investigation.