Isak Andic, the esteemed founder of the prominent fashion retailer Mango, tragically passed away this past Saturday during a cave exploration in the vicinity of Barcelona. The 71-year-old fell down a deep ravine while hiking in a mountainous region known for its extensive caverns, as reported by Spanish news outlets. At the time of the incident, Andic was accompanied by his son and other family members, prompting a robust emergency response that included a helicopter and specialized rescue teams.
Born in Turkey, Andic co-founded Mango with his brother Nahman in 1984 in Barcelona, and the company has since expanded to feature nearly 3,000 retail locations across 120 countries. His net worth was estimated by Forbes to be around $4.5 billion (£3.6 billion), a testament to his remarkable entrepreneurial achievements.
According to reports, Andic fell approximately 150 meters within the Montserrat mountain range, a location notorious for its profound cave systems. Authorities received a distress call around 1:00 PM local time and rushed to the site of the accident.
Mango’s current CEO, Toni Ruiz, expressed profound sadness over Andic's death, stating that his legacy would continue through the employees and the brand itself. "His departure leaves a huge void but all of us are, in some way, his legacy and the testimony of his achievements," Ruiz said, promising to uphold Andic's vision for the brand.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also extended his condolences, praising Andic's contributions to the fashion industry that placed Spain on the global map. "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 remarked.
Catalonia's President, Salvador Illa Roca, expressed dismay over Andic's untimely demise and honored his commitment to advancing Catalonia’s prominence. Andic, who migrated to the Catalonia region in the 1960s with his family, held the position of non-executive chairman at the time of his death. In 2023, Mango reported a turnover of €3.1 billion (£2.6 billion).
Andic’s rivalry with fellow fashion mogul Amancio Ortega, the founder of Zara, was well-known, but his influence and success were celebrated broadly across Europe. The brand gained notable attention in the UK following the appointment of British model Kate Moss as its face in 2011, further solidifying Mango's global presence.
