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Ahmet Nazif Zorlu, founder of Zorlu Holding, dies at 82

The Turkish industrialist and Zorlu Holding chairman died after cancer treatment, the company announced on November 12.

Sources: Haber Aksaray, Muğla Yenigün, Olay Gazetesi, Kars Manşet and 1 more5 sources ↓|· 1 min read
Ahmet Nazif Zorlu, founder of Zorlu Holding, dies at 82
Photo: Haber Aksaray

KEY POINTS

  • Ahmet Nazif Zorlu, chairman of Zorlu Holding, died after cancer treatment.
  • Zorlu Holding announced his death in a statement on November 12, 2026.
  • He was born in 1944 in Babadağ, Denizli, and began his career in textiles.
  • He founded Korteks in 1976 and added Vestel to the group in 1994.
  • The group operates in textiles, electronics, white goods, energy, real estate, metallurgy, and defense.

Ahmet Nazif Zorlu, chairman of the board of Zorlu Holding, has died after receiving cancer treatment. The company announced his death in a statement on November 12, 2026.

Zorlu was born in 1944 in the Babadağ district of Denizli. He began his business career early in the textile trade, following his father's profession.

“We are experiencing deep sorrow at losing our Chairman of the Board, Mr. Ahmet Zorlu, today at the hospital where he has been receiving treatment for some time.”

— Zorlu Holding

He opened his first textile shop in Trabzon and moved the company headquarters to Istanbul in 1970. Together with his brother Zeki Zorlu, he laid the foundations of Zorlu Holding.

In 1976 he founded Korteks, his first production company, and in 1990 he brought all his companies under the Zorlu Holding umbrella. He added Vestel to the group in 1994, expanding into white goods and electronics.

Under his leadership, the group operated in textiles, electronics, white goods, energy, real estate, metallurgy, and defense industries. Vestel and Korteks are among its leading companies and brands.

Zorlu also served as chairman of the boards of several other companies within the Zorlu Group. He was a member of civil society organizations including DEIK, TÜSİAD, DENBİR, BASİAD, and TETSİAD.

İTHİB Chairman Ahmet Şişman issued a condolence message, describing Zorlu as a veteran of the textile sector and wishing patience to his family and loved ones.

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