Isak Andic – A Turkish-Spanish Businessman

Isak Andic was a Turkish-Spanish businessman. Together with his brother, Andic founded clothing retailer Mango. At the time of his death, he was the richest person in Catalonia and one of the richest in Spain with a net worth of US$4.5 billion.

Early Life

Andic was born to a Sephardic Jewish family in Istanbul, Turkey, on 1 October 1953. While growing up, Andic’s family emigrated from Turkey to Barcelona, Spain in 1969, where he and his brother Nahman began selling hand-embroidered “made-in-Turkey” T-shirts and clogs.

Expansion of the Business

Andic and his brother opened shops in Barcelona and Madrid, first selling their own brand (Isak Jeans) and then stocking other brands. In 1984, he joined with fellow entrepreneur Enric Cusí and his brother and re-denominated all their stores under the name Mango.

The business name “Mango” originated from when Andic tasted the fruit while on a trip to the Philippines. In 2006, Andic was appointed a director of Banco Sabadell and in 2012, became its single largest shareholder with a 7% ownership interest. According to Forbes, Andic’s net worth as of November 2023 was €2.7 billion, making him the richest person in Catalonia. In 2010, he was the 32nd richest Jew in the world.

Personal Life

Andic was once married to Neus Raig Tarragó before they divorced. The couple had four children together. Andic died in Collbató on 14 December 2024, at the age of 71, after falling to his death during a visit to the Salnitre Caves.