About
Turkish entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the Koç Group, a large conglomerate and the only company in the country to be featured in the Fortune Global 500 as of 2016. In his lifetime, he was one of Turkey's wealthiest citizens. His philanthropic interests extended to health, education and the arts. He won the "The Businessman of the Year" award in 1987 and the "World Family Planning Award" in 1994.
Before Fame
He was born in Çorakalı, Ankara, a predominantly Muslim neighborhood. His first job was at a small grocery store his father opened for him. In 1926 he established the firm Koçzade Ahmet Vehbi, registered at the Ankara Chamber of Commerce. He developed connections in the oil industry, such as with Ford Motor Company, as well as in construction.
Trivia
After World War II, he partnered with General Electric to build a light bulb factory in Turkey. Other factories of his produced automobiles, household appliances, radiators, electronic devices, textiles and matches. He founded an Eye Bank, the Vehbi Koç Foundation, the Koç School and Koç University. He passed away from heart failure in 1996.
Family Life
He was married to Sadberk Koç who passed away during his lifetime. They had four children.
Associated With
Months after his death, his body was stolen from his grave and a ransom was demanded of his family, and then the TV channel Kanal D, and then the channel InterStar owned by Cem Uzan. The suspects were captured and arrested and the body reinterred.
