Aydın Doğan

Businessman, media tycoon. Born on 15 April 1936 in Kelkit, Aydın Doğan is a member of a well-known family in Gümüşhane. Doğan completed his elementary and secondary school in Kelkit, and finished high school in Erzincan. Between 1956 and 1960, he attended Istanbul Higher Economy and Commerce Academy. During his student days, he served as the president of the Student Association. He commenced his career in 1958 while he was still an undergraduate student. He merchandised in various sectors such as transportation, construction, automobile, commercial vehicle, and construction machinery business. In 1961, he founded his first private company, and until 1970, the company performed wholesale trade.

Doğan set up his first industrial company in 1974. In the following years, he served as a board member of the Assembly and Board of Directors of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, and of Turkish Union of Chambers and Exchange Commodities.

In 1979, he entered the world of press and media by taking over the daily newspaper Milliyet. With the acquisition of the daily newspaper Hürriyet in 1994, Doğan strengthened his position in the media. He presided in the Association of Turkish Newspaper Owners between 1986 and 1996.

In 1998, he became the first elected Turkish Deputy Chairperson of the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) at the conference organized in Tokyo.

He was awarded with Outstanding Service Medal by the Turkish Government in 1999. He received a honorary doctorate from Girne American University in 1999, and then from, Ege University, Baku State University, and Marmara University respectively.

In 1996, by establishing Aydın Doğan Foundation, he brought all the social, cultural, educational services of Doğan Holding under the same umbrella. Until now, he has built eight schools, named after him and other family members. Aydın Doğan Foundation traditionalized Aydın Doğan International Caricature Competition; and supported undergraduate students at communication faculties with the Competition of Young Communicators. He also made significant contributions in various areas, from literature and music to architecture and social sciences with Aydın Doğan Awards. Aydın Doğan is married with four children and four grandchildren.

With Aydın Doğan as the chairman of the board, Doğan Holding operates in industry, tourism, and commerce, besides the company’s principal business activities of energy distribution, insurance and the media. Moreover, it is one of the three great holdings in Turkey.