Newsletters
Hamdi Ulukaya, the Turkish-born founder and CEO of U.S.-based Chobani, a leading producer of strained yogurt, has become Türkiye’s richest individual with a net worth of $13.7 billion, ranking 197th globally, according to the latest update by Forbes magazine.
Ulukaya rose to the top spot, overtaking Murat Ulker, a board member of Turkish conglomerate Yildiz Holding, whose family business owns global food brands such as Godiva, McVitie’s and Ulker.
Ulker, who had led the list since 2023, now holds a net worth of $5.4 billion following the update.
Ulukaya, who gained widespread recognition for transforming Chobani into one of America’s leading yogurt brands, has significantly expanded his company’s presence across multiple U.S. states.
In recent years, he has opened new production facilities and strengthened ties with federal and state authorities, contributing to Chobani’s rising market share, which currently stands at around 20%.
The company recently raised $650 million in a new funding round to finance its U.S. expansion, announcing plans to invest $1.2 billion in building a third milk-processing plant in New York and $500 million for facility expansion in Idaho.
Chobani’s valuation has reached $20 billion, and it expects $3.8 billion in net sales this year, a 28% increase from the previous year—developments that have played a central role in boosting Ulukaya’s personal wealth.
The Turkish-born entrepreneur has also drawn public attention for his company’s social initiatives, including employment programs for refugees and local communities.
Most recently, he partnered with Turkish sports giant Fenerbahce, of which he is known to be an avid supporter, in a €100 million ($116.6 million) sponsorship deal spanning ten years, signaling a potential expansion into the European and Turkish markets.
Ulukaya also continues his tenure as chairman of the U.S.-Türkiye Business Council, an organization that promotes bilateral trade, investment, and business collaboration between the two countries.
Forbes’ latest update listed 31 Turkish billionaires with a combined net worth of $73.4 billion. Saban Cemil Kazanci followed Ulukaya and Ulker at $4.7 billion through his energy and construction firm, Kazanci Holding.
Other top names include Erman Ilicak ($2.9 billion) of Renaissance Holding, Mehmet Sinan Tara and Family ($2.8 billion) of ENKA Holding, and Ferit Faik Sahenk ($2.6 billion) of Dogus Group, active in finance, media, tourism, and automotive.
The list also included Ipek Kirac ($2.5 billion), a member of the Koc family active in automotive, marine and defense businesses, and Semahat Sevim Arsel ($2.4 billion), also from the Koc family, involved in its tourism and travel ventures.
Filiz Sahenk ($2.4 billion), from the Sahenk family, manages its fashion and tourism businesses, while Mustafa Rahmi Koc ($2.2 billion), honorary chairman of Koc Holding, is associated with the family’s automotive, energy, and consumer goods sectors.
Many others built their fortunes in energy, construction, and manufacturing. Ali Metin Kazanci and Nihat Ozdemir each hold $2.2 billion, while Limak Holding founders Sezai Bacaksiz and Feridun Gecgel have $1.8 billion.
Baykar’s Selcuk and Haluk Bayraktar each reached $1.6 billion from defense and drone production.
Retail, healthcare, and chemicals also appeared, with LC Waikiki’s Mustafa Kucuk and Sefik Yilmaz Dizdar, Acibadem founder Mehmet Ali Aydinlar, and Bulent Eczacibasi among them.
Further down the list, the Erdemoglu brothers ($1.5 billion each) lead in textiles, Ahmet Calik ($1.5 billion) in construction and energy, and Faruk Eczacibasi ($1.4 billion) in healthcare and consumer goods.
The ranking closes with Kazim Turker and Aydin Dogan ($1.3 billion each) and Mustafa Latif Topbas, Murat Vargi, and Husnu Ozyegin ($1 billion each) from the retail, telecom, and banking sectors.
2 min read
1 min read
