Rescue teams rallied in attempt to reach Mango’s billionaire founder after he plummeted over 100 metres in a tragic hiking accident.
Isak Andic, the mastermind behind the Spanish clothing retailer was walking with his son Jonathan at around 1pm CET yesterday when the incident occurred.
It is believed Jonathan tried to save his 71-year-old father, who fell down a ravine in the Salnitre de Collbató caves, quickly alerting emergency services.
But when the responders arrived to the scene by both helicopter and ambulance, they confirmed that the businessman had died.
Mr Andic, who was a fan of hiking and remained fit in later life, had been spending the day with his family whilst trailing the path near the Montserrat mountains.
The Turkey-born founder and chair of the Spanish fashion chain fell more than 100 metres ‘in an area of difficult access’, sources told El Pais.
Mr Andic, was the richest man in Catalonia as well as the fifth most wealthy in Spain, with a fortune of $4.5 billion dollars (£3.56 billion), Forbes reports.
He leaves behind three children who he shared with his ex-wife Neus Raig Tarragó, Judith, Sarah, and his son Jonathan – who is a Mango executive board member and the presumptive heir of the empire.
Billionaire Isak Andic, mastermind behind the Spanish clothing retailer Mango – one of Europe’s largest fashion groups – died on Saturday
Rescue teams rallied in attempt to reach Mango’s billionaire founder after he plummeted over 100 metres in the tragic accident
Pedestrians walk by the entrance of a Mango shop on Passeig de Gracia street in Barcelona on February 28, 2024 (file image)
Jonathan had previously been the chief executive of the clothing brand since 2014 for several years after being at the company for nearly a decade.
He initially began his stint at Mango on the designs collection team, and had a hand in everything regarding the creative process, later leading the Mango’s men’s line.
However his late father was forced to take back the company’s reigns and put in place a new leader at Mango after Jonathan recorded losses during his time as chief executive, according to the FT.
The heir to the Mango empire, Jonathan, studied at several prestigious schools, which includes Swiss boarding school – Beau Solei.
He later studied audiovisual communication in the US, before specialising in accounting and finance at IESE business school, according to Semana.
Similarly to the rest of the Mango clan, Jonathan has remained tight-lipped about his personal life.
As of March 2024, local Spanish media outlets reported that he was in a relationship with Paula Navarro, also known by the alias of Paula Nata.
Mr Andic, who was a fan of hiking and remained fit in later life, had been spending the day with his family whilst trailing the path near the Montserrat mountains when he fell down the ravine
Isak Andic and Kate Moss attend the ‘4th Mango Fashion Awards’ held at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya in 2012
Isak Andic, Chief Executive of Spanish fashion label Mango, stands next to Queen Letizia of Spain, during her visit to Mango’s factory in Palau-Solita i Plegamans, near Barcelona, April 7, 2011
A view of the Montserrat caves as well as the Collbrato village in Catalonia, Spain
The Salnitre de Collbató caves near Montserrat in the region of Catalonia, Spain (Stock image)
In her social media posts, the influencer who is the co-founder of All About Management and Mes Amies Atelier, referred to Jonathan as her fiancé.
In the wake of his father’s tragic death, Mango which has nearly 2,800 stores worldwide, released the following statement.
‘It is with deep regret that we announce the unexpected death of Isak Andic, our non-executive chairman and founder of Mango.’
Mango CEO Toni Ruiz said: ‘Isak has been an example for all of us. He dedicated his life to Mango, leaving an indelible mark thanks to his strategic vision, his inspiring leadership and his unwavering commitment to values that he himself imbued in our company.’
‘It is up to us, and this is the best tribute we can make to Isak and which we will fulfil, to ensure that Mango continues to be the project that Isak aspired to and of which he would feel proud.’
Mr Ruiz concluded: ‘[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.
His son Jonathan Andic, who is an executive board member at Mango, is the presumptive heir of his late father’s empire
He is thought to be engaged to influencer and businesswoman Paula Nata, who referenced him as her fiancé in April of this year
‘In these extremely difficult times we share the pain of the family as if it were our own.’
Tributes flooded in for the business mogul, with the country’s 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 Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also weighed in on the tragedy, saying: ‘All my love and recognition for your great work and business vision, which has turned this Spanish firm into a world leader in fashion.’
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.
Isak Andic was friends with the likes of Kate Moss and Terry Richardson. 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
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 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.
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.