02.11.2026 23:40
Ahmet Nazif Zorlu, the late Chairman of the Board of Directors of Zorlu Holding, was among Turkey's leading businesspeople. Born in 1944 in the Babadağ district of Denizli, Zorlu turned the commercial life he began in the textile sector into a large industrial group encompassing many important brands, most notably Vestel. Zorlu, who passed away at the age of 82, was known for the mark he left on the business world and his investments.
Ahmet Nazif Zorlu was one of Turkey's leading businesspeople and a globally recognized name as the founder and Chairman of the Board of Zorlu Holding. In his business life, which began in the textile sector, he became one of Turkey's important industrial and technology entrepreneurs through investments within Vestel, Korteks, and the Zorlu Group.
A JOURNEY FROM DENİZLİ TO THE BUSINESS WORLD
Ahmet Nazif Zorlu was born in 1944 in the Babadağ district of Denizli. He began his business life at a young age by working in his family's textile activities. He made his first commercial ventures with a store he opened in Trabzon. He later expanded his business and moved to Istanbul.
FOUNDING OF ZORLU HOLDING
In 1970, Zorlu moved the company headquarters to Istanbul and laid the foundations of Zorlu Holding. In 1976, he founded Korteks, his first manufacturing company. In 1990, he united his companies operating in different sectors under the roof of Zorlu Holding.
In 1994, he entered the electronics and white goods sector by incorporating Vestel. Thus, he carried his entrepreneurial journey, which had begun in textiles, into different sectors.
A BROAD INVESTMENT NETWORK FROM ENERGY TO TECHNOLOGY
Under Ahmet Nazif Zorlu's leadership, Zorlu Holding over time turned into a large group of companies operating in many sectors. The group's areas of activity include:
- Textiles and home textiles
- Electronics and white goods
- Energy
- Real estate
- Metallurgy and mining
- Defense industry
- E-mobility
In addition to his role as Chairman of the Board of Zorlu Holding, Ahmet Nazif Zorlu continued to serve as chairman or deputy chairman of the board in various companies within the group.
HE FOUNDED THE MEHMET ZORLU FOUNDATION
In addition to his business life, Ahmet Nazif Zorlu also attached importance to education and social responsibility projects. In 1999, he founded the Mehmet Zorlu Education, Health, Culture and Solidarity Foundation, named after his father Mehmet Zorlu.
The foundation carries out work in education, health, culture, and social solidarity, provides scholarship support to students, and contributes to educational investments.
HE CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF MANİSA FOOTBALL
Ahmet Nazif Zorlu also stood out for the major financial support he provided to the club during Vestel Manisaspor's rise to the Süper Lig. Zorlu, who assumed the role of honorary president at the club, contributed to the development of Manisa football.
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS AND HONORARY DOCTORATE
In 2007, Zorlu was awarded the Spanish Royal Order of Civil Merit by King Juan Carlos I of Spain for his contributions to the development of relations between Turkey and Spain.
In addition, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Süleyman Demirel University in 2017.
FAMILY LIFE
Ahmet Nazif Zorlu was married and the father of three children. In addition to his activities in the business world, the veteran businessperson was also known for his work in education and social responsibility.