Zorlu Holding Chairman Ahmet Nazif Zorlu passed away on 2 November 2026 in the hospital where he had been receiving treatment for some time. In Zorlu Holding's statement, it was said: "We experience the deep sorrow of losing our Chairman of the Board, Ahmet Zorlu, today in the hospital where he had been receiving treatment for some time." Togg also issued a message of condolence for its founding partner Zorlu.
Funeral Ceremony on 4 November
According to the announcement made by Zorlu Holding, the funeral of Ahmet Nazif Zorlu will be buried at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery following the funeral prayer to be performed at Levent Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa Mosque on Wednesday 4 November, after the noon prayer.
Ahmet Nazif Zorlu's Contributions to Turkish Industry and Technology
Ahmet Zorlu, who carried the Zorlu Group — whose foundations were laid in Babadağ in 1953 — among Türkiye's leading industrial groups through his vision and leadership, pioneered the group's growth on an international scale. Zorlu entered the business world at the age of 15, selling home textiles in Trabzon. Taking his first step into manufacturing by founding his first textile factory in Bursa with his elder brother, Zorlu laid the foundations of the holding structure by moving its headquarters to Istanbul in 1970. Founding Korteks, one of Europe's largest integrated polyester yarn producers, Zorlu purchased the Vestel brand in 1994 and transformed the company into a global technology and export giant. Building one of Europe's largest single-roof industrial complexes in Manisa, Zorlu realised pioneering investments in wind and geothermal energy with Zorlu Energy.
One of the "Babayiğitler" Behind Türkiye's Car and a Founding Partner of Togg
Ahmet Nazif Zorlu was one of the five major partners of Togg, Türkiye's domestic car. In Togg's condolence message, it was said: "We experience the deep sorrow of losing our founding partner, the esteemed businessman Ahmet Nazif Zorlu, who made significant contributions to our country's development in the fields of industry and production over many years, shared Togg's founding vision and assumed an important role in bringing it to life." It was stated that the understanding Zorlu set out with the words "My country first, then my institution, then my family" will continue to live on as one of the most precious legacies he left to the Zorlu Group.
Note
If you have any photos or video footage to support our news story, please share them with us using the information provided on our contact us page.
