Catalonia's richest man died while hiking in the Montserrat mountain near Barcelona.
Founder of the Mango brand and stores, Isak Andic died at the age of 71 on Saturday December 14 during a hike in the Montserrat massif, the sacred mountain of the Catalans. He was taking a two-hour walk with his son with whom he had been estranged for a while.
A week after this tragic disappearance, the circumstances surrounding his death are still under investigation but they seem to be becoming a little clearer.
Settle an old dispute
Thus, according to several Spanish media, Andic had expressly asked his escort not to follow them in order to be able to speak alone and calmly with his son in order to resolve their old dispute. According to the media Informalia, a source close to the family ensures that before the fall, Isak Andic was able to “reconcile with his son and resolve the disagreements that separated them”.
The son, Jonathan, is the only witness to the accident that cost his father his life. He was walking a few steps in front of the latter when he fell. He would have heard “the sound of sand and stones falling, he turned around but without having time to do anything. His father was already falling into the void.” A fatal fall of 150 meters.
“My father is unconscious, I saw him fall, but I can’t reach him,” Jonathan reportedly told the emergency services during his call.
Isak Andic fell as he and his son finished their walk after two hours of walking. They were heading to their vehicle around noon on December 14.
A seasoned walker
The Mossos d'Esquadra have not yet published their report on the investigation but, according to Informalia, the first elements indicate “that there was no negligence or external intervention”. “Everything suggests an accident, an inevitability”… Isak Andic was nevertheless a seasoned walker and the path from which he fell did not represent any particular danger even if it requires attention. “Dozens of people pass through here every day, and nothing like this has ever happened,” Alicia, a regular, told the media.
The son, Jonathan, new face of Mango
A key Spanish businessman, Andic was the richest man in Catalonia, his fortune being estimated at 4.5 billion euros. Jonathan Andic will now be the face of the company, he who is already executive vice president and CEO of Mango.
The businessman's funeral will take place in early 2025 in a restricted circle. Mango will hold an open tribute event to publicly say goodbye to Isak Andic.
