Billionaire founder of Mango fashion chain dies in a mountain hiking incident during family vacation

The founder of an iconic fashion chain has passed away suddenly in a tragic ‘accident’ after allegedly ‘falling from a mountain range during a hiking trip’, despite his son’s valiant attempts to rescue him.

Billionaire Isak Andic, mastermind behind the Spanish clothing retailer Mango – one of Europe’s largest fashion groups – died tragically on Saturday.

It is thought that Mr Andic’s son Jonathan had tried to save him, alerting emergency services to the tragic fall, but to no avail.

The Barcelona-headquartered company, which boasts close to 2,800 stores around the globe, issued a statement saying: ‘It is with profound sorrow that we report the unforeseen passing of Isak Andic, our non-executive chairman and the founder of Mango.’

The CEO, Toni Ruiz, remarked: ‘Isak served as a role model for all of us. He devoted his life to Mango, making an enduring impact through his strategic foresight, his inspirational leadership, and his steadfast dedication to the values that he instilled in our organization.’

The company did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding Mr Andic’s death. This comes as Spanish media had said the 71-year-old died after falling while hiking with several members of his family near Barcelona.

Tributes have already come flooding in for the business mogul, with Spanish politicians among those leading the condolences.

Catalan president Salvador Illa said: ‘Devastated by the loss of Isak Andic, a committed businessman who with his leadership has contributed to making Catalonia great and projecting it to the world.

‘He leaves an indelible mark on the Catalan and global fashion sector. My condolences and those of the entire Government to the family, friends, and the Mango team.’

Spain’s opposition People’s Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo added: ‘I regret the death of Isak Andic, the founder of Mango which is a benchmark in the textile and fashion sector at an international level.

‘My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all the company’s employees.’

Mango traces its origins to 1984, when Andic, who is of Turkish origin, opened his first shop on the Paseo de Gracia, Barcelona’s famous shopping street, with the help of his older brother Nahman.

It was met with huge success, coming to fruition after Spain had just emerged from a decades-long dictatorship that ended with the death of General Francisco Franco in 1975, with consumers hungry for more modern clothes.

Mango has since consolidated its position as one of the leading international fashion groups, with a major presence in more than 120 markets and 15,500 employees worldwide.

Mr Ruiz concluded: ‘His (Mr Andic’s) legacy reflects the achievements of a business project marked by success, and also by his human quality, his proximity and the care and affection that he always had and at all times conveyed to the entire organization.

‘His departure leaves a huge void but all of us are, in some way, his legacy and the testimony of his achievements.

‘It is up to us, and this is the best tribute we can make to Isak and which we will fulfill, to ensure that Mango continues to be the project that Isak aspired to and of which he would feel proud.

‘In these extremely difficult times we share the pain of the family as if it were our own.’

Mr Andic, who was awarded the Kingdom of Spain Entrepreneurial Career Award in 2024, leaves behind three children who he shares with his divorced wife Neus Raig Tarragó.

Only this month, Forbes had estimated Mr Andic’s net worth at 4.5 billion dollars (£3.56 billion).

Kate Moss was the face of Mango in 2011, boosting the brand’s popularity in the UK with it now having hundreds of stores in more than 100 countries.

And earlier this year Mango announced it was teaming up with former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham for a new collection to mark its 40th anniversary.

Son Jonathan Andic (born 1981) was named in 2012 as his father’s successor.