Vehbi Koç

Ahmet Vehbi Koç
Born	Template:Birth date Çorakalı, Ankara, Ottoman Empire
Died	February 25, 1996(1996-02-25) (aged 94)
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, philanthropist
Years active	1917–1984
Known for	Founder of Koç Group

Ahmet Vehbi Koç (20 July 1901 – 25 February 1996) was a prominent Turkish entrepreneur, billionaire, and philanthropist who established the Koç Group, one of the most significant conglomerates in Turkey. He ranked among the nation's wealthiest figures and was widely recognized for his charitable contributions to health, education, and cultural sectors.

Early life

Vehbi Koç was born in 1901 in Çorakalı, a mainly Muslim district of Ankara. Later, he resided on a vineyard estate located in the Keçiören area, which his father acquired in 1923. This property, purchased following the Kasapyan family’s relocation to Istanbul amid the Armenian deportations, was refurbished and transformed into the Vehbi Koç Museum in 1944.

Career

Koç’s professional journey started in 1917 at his father’s grocery shop in Ankara. He officially founded his first company, Koçzade Ahmet Vehbi, in 1926. By 1928, he had become a local partner of Ford Motor Company and Standard Oil (currently known as Mobil). As Ankara developed as Turkey’s capital, Koç expanded his ventures into construction materials and hardware, eventually merging these businesses into Koç Ticaret A.Ş. by 1938.

In 1942, leveraging opportunities from the Varlık Vergisi, a wealth tax targeting non-Muslims, he acquired several firms at discounted rates. Among these acquisitions was an Istanbul building formerly owned by an Armenian entrepreneur; however, Koç ensured respectful treatment of previous owners without any racial discrimination.

Following World War II, Koç traveled to the United States in 1946 to reinforce business ties and secured a deal with General Electric in 1948 to establish a light bulb manufacturing plant in Turkey, which began operations in 1952. Throughout the 1950s, his factories produced automobiles, home appliances, textiles, and more. He founded numerous companies including Bozkurt Mensucat, Arçelik (1955), Demir Döküm (1954), Aygaz (1962), Turkay, Gazal, Türk Elektrik Endüstrisi, along with a joint cable manufacturing venture with Siemens AG. Tractor manufacturing commenced under license from Fiat.

In 1959, Koç broadened his automotive industry involvement by founding Ford Otosan through a partnership with Ford Motor Company. The first domestically mass-produced car, Anadol, was launched in 1966. Subsequently, in 1968 he partnered with Fiat to create Tofaş, which produced the Murat model by 1971.

In 1963, Koç unified his enterprises under Koç Holding A.Ş., becoming a pioneer of Turkey’s holding company model. The group established international collaborations with Fiat, Ford Motor Co., Yamaha, and Allianz.

Over a career spanning seventy-six years, Koç developed a conglomerate encompassing more than 108 companies across diverse sectors such as food production, retailing, finance, energy, automotive manufacturing, tourism, and technology. The Koç Group currently employs around 80,000 personnel with an annual turnover near $40 billion, exports totaling $900 million, and yearly investments ranging between $500–600 million.

Koç stepped down from active business management in 1984 to dedicate himself to social causes, transferring leadership responsibilities to his son Rahmi Koç.

Political career

During the 1920s, Vehbi Koç became a member of the precursor organization to the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP), known as the Association for Defense of National Rights. As his business expanded, his connections with CHP deepened. In 1943 he received an invitation to serve as a CHP representative in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, but he declined the offer. This political association later posed challenges for the growth of the Koç Group; additionally, he faced pressure from the ruling Democrat Party (DP) to change his political allegiance. On 16 March 1960, he resigned from CHP but chose not to join DP; instead he maintained cordial relations with both the new government and the Turkish military.

Philanthropic Endeavors

Vehbi Koç played a pivotal role in founding several prominent institutions focused on education and healthcare. Among these were an Eye Bank at the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, a Cardiology Institute affiliated with Istanbul University, and the Vehbi Koç Dormitory at the Middle East Technical University. In 1967, he spearheaded a coalition of 205 entrepreneurs and scholars to establish the Turkish Education Foundation (Türk Eğitim Vakfı, TEV).

Two years later, in 1969, Koç created the Vehbi Koç Foundation with the mission to promote advancements in education, health, and cultural initiatives. He generously gifted the Atatürk Library located in Istanbul’s Taksim district to the local municipality in 1976. In 1980, he inaugurated Turkey’s first private museum, the Sadberk Hanım Museum, as a tribute to his late wife. Additionally, Koç held the honorary chairman position at Gençlerbirliği S.K., a sports club based in Ankara.

Continuing his dedication to educational development, the Koç School was launched in 1988, followed by the establishment of Koç University in 1993. He also founded the Turkish Family Health and Planning Foundation (Türkiye Aile Sağlığı ve Planlaması Vakfı), serving as its president until his passing.

Passing

Vehbi Koç passed away due to heart failure on 25 February 1996 while on a visit to Antalya during Ramazan Bayramı, accompanied by his daughter Sevgi and son-in-law on a Migros tour. That same night, his remains were transported to Istanbul aboard a Koç Holding corporate jet. Funeral ceremonies were held on 27 February at both Koç Holding’s headquarters and Fatih Mosque, culminating in his interment at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery. His legacy was carried forward by his son Rahmi Koç (born 1930) along with daughters Semahat Arsel (born 1928), Sevgi Gönül (1938–2003), and Suna Kıraç (1941–2020).

Theft of Vehbi Koç's Remains

On 24 October 1996, Vehbi Koç’s grave was violated when his body was stolen. The perpetrators demanded a ransom from the Koç family, who declined to comply. Subsequently, they reached out to TV broadcaster Kanal D, owned by Aydın Doğan, requesting a payment of 20 billion TL (approximately US$210,000). After Kanal D refused, negotiations proceeded with InterStar, under the ownership of Cem Uzan, resulting in an agreed sum of 25 billion TL (around US$260,000).

Law enforcement officials were tipped off by InterStar and apprehended two suspects at the ransom exchange site inside a vehicle reported stolen. Further investigation led to the detention of three additional accomplices, including a female participant and a hotel proprietor. Vehbi Koç’s remains were subsequently discovered concealed within a nearby burial plot. DNA analysis was conducted to verify identity before his reburial took place with family members present.

Literary Works

• Hayat Hikayem (Story of My Life), published in 1973 (available in both Turkish and English)
• Hatıralarım, Görüşlerim, Öğütlerim (My Memories, Visions, Advices), released in 1987 (offered in Turkish and English)