Founder of global fashion giant Mango, Isak Andic, dies after falling into a ravine in a hiking accident.
Isak Andic, the billionaire founder of the renowned fashion brand Mango, tragically died on Saturday in an accident while hiking near Barcelona, Spain.
The 71-year-old businessman fell to his death while exploring caves in the Montserrat mountain range, known for its deep and treacherous ravines.
Andic, originally from Turkey, was hiking with his son and other family members when the fatal accident occurred.
Spanish authorities responded swiftly after being alerted to the incident around 1:00 p.m. local time. Emergency teams, including a helicopter and specialized mountain rescue units, rushed to the scene.
According to El Pais newspaper, Andic fell down a 150-meter ravine, leading to his untimely death. The location of the fall was near the Salnitre de Collbató caves, an area popular with hikers but also notorious for its dangerous terrain.
Mango, the global fashion empire Andic built with his brother Nahman in 1984, confirmed his passing in an official statement.
Toni Ruiz, the CEO of Mango, expressed his grief, saying, “His departure leaves a huge void, but all of us are, in some way, his legacy and the testimony of his achievements.”
He continued, “It is up to us, and this is the best tribute we can make to Isak, to ensure that Mango continues to be the project that he aspired to and of which he would feel proud.”
Andic’s vision transformed Mango into one of the most recognized fashion chains in the world. Today, Mango operates almost 3,000 stores across 120 countries.
In 2023, the company reported a turnover of €3.1 billion, cementing its place as a leader in the global fashion industry.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez paid tribute to Andic, confirming the cause of death as an accident. “All my love and recognition for your great work and business vision, which has turned this Spanish firm into a world leader in fashion,” Sanchez said in a heartfelt statement.
Catalonia’s President Salvador Illa Roca also expressed his sorrow, calling Andic a “committed businessman” whose contributions helped elevate Catalonia on the global stage.
Illa said, “We are all dismayed by the loss. Isak Andic’s work and vision made Catalonia great, and he helped project it to the world.”
Isak Andic’s story began when he moved to the Catalonia region in northeastern Spain with his family in the 1960s. His entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of Mango, which would go on to challenge Zara and other giants in the fashion industry.
Despite the rivalry between Andic and Zara’s founder, Amancio Ortega, Andic’s Mango brand thrived under his leadership. His commitment to high-quality fashion at affordable prices made Mango a household name across Europe, North America, and beyond.
The company’s fame reached new heights in 2011 when British supermodel Kate Moss became the face of Mango, further boosting the brand’s popularity, especially in the UK.
As a non-executive chairman at the time of his death, Andic had stepped away from the day-to-day operations of Mango but remained a vital figure within the company. His vision and dedication to fashion were seen as integral to the brand’s success.
Though Andic’s passing marks the end of an era for Mango, his legacy will continue to shape the brand for years to come. His family and company have vowed to honor his memory by ensuring Mango remains the global powerhouse he built.
