Isak Andic, the founder of the global fashion brand Mango, died Saturday afternoon in a tragic accident in Collbató, in Barcelona province.
According to El País, Andic, 71, fell into a ravine near the Salnitre Caves in Montserrat, a location known for its unique geological formations that inspired the works of architect Antoni Gaudí, including the iconic Sagrada Familia.
Andic, an avid hiker and nature enthusiast, was reportedly on a trail leading from the caves to the Montserrat Monastery when the accident occurred. “We saw helicopters and firefighters in the area, but we were told we didn’t need to know what happened,” a local guide told the newspaper. The guide, aware an incident had occurred, was unaware it involved a fatality.
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
Born in Turkey to a Jewish family, Andic emigrated to Spain in 1969. In 1984, he co-founded Mango in Barcelona with his brother Nahman Andic. Over the years, Mango grew into one of the world’s largest fashion retailers, specializing in apparel and accessories for women, men and children. The brand, which competes with Zara’s parent company, Inditex, operates over 2,600 stores in 115 countries.
At the time of his death, Andic was Mango’s non-executive chairman and considered the wealthiest person in Catalonia, with an estimated net worth of €4.5 billion.
In a statement, Mango CEO Toni Ruiz expressed deep sorrow over Andic’s sudden passing: “We are profoundly saddened by the unexpected loss of Isak Andic, our non-executive chairman and founder. Isak was an exemplar to all of us. He devoted his life to Mango, leaving an indelible mark through his strategic vision, inspiring leadership and unwavering commitment to the values he instilled in our company. His legacy reflects not only his extraordinary achievements in building a globally successful business but also his humanity, warmth and care for everyone within the organization.”