Famous Turkish Business People

Hamdi Ulukaya is a Turkish businessman, activist, and philanthropist. He is the founder, owner, chairman, and CEO of Chobani, a company specializing in strained yogurt. Born in Turkey, he immigrated to US as a young man and established his yogurt empire there with no prior experience in the yogurt business. He is also known for donating generously to various causes.

Basil Zaharoff was a Greek industrialist and arms dealer. Dubbed the mystery man of Europe and merchant of death, Zaharoff is remembered as a cunning and manipulative businessman who employed corrupt business tactics during the First World War. Interestingly, he was also a philanthropist, and his life inspired several fictional characters, including Ian Fleming's Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

Israeli businessman Meshulam Riklis is credited with having originated complicated paper transactions like high-yield bonds and leveraged buyouts. He built his financial empire by taking control of major corporations like McCrory Stores, Leeds Travelware, Gruen Watch Company, and Elizabeth Arden Cosmetics. His financial dealings were controversial, and he filed for bankruptcy protection in 2013.