Newsletters
Turkish businessman Ali Sabanci has donated €115,000 ($134,500) — about ₺5.6 million to General Hospital Health Center of Leros in Greece, where he received critical emergency care following a life-threatening boat accident in 2023.
According to Greek media, the donation will provide the hospital with a modern surgical bed and an advanced operating room lighting system. Hospital officials confirmed that the equipment procurement process has already begun.
On August 24, 2023, Sabanci, Chairman of Esas Holding and a prominent figure in Türkiye’s business world, was traveling with his wife, Vuslat Dogan Sabanci, and their children from Lipsi Island to Leros for dinner when their inflatable boat struck rocks. Both Sabanci and his wife sustained serious injuries.
Sabanci suffered internal bleeding and underwent surgery that included the removal of his spleen. He was placed on a ventilator and endured 11 surgeries during his recovery. His wife, who sustained severe facial injuries including a broken jaw, later underwent three reconstructive operations in the United States. Their children escaped with minor injuries.
Initial treatment was carried out at General Hospital Health Center of Leros, where doctors stabilized Sabanci during a critical night. Greek media highlighted the role of surgeon Georgios Krasonikolakis and his team, who performed multiple emergency procedures before transferring him to Türkiye for further care. Sabanci later expressed his gratitude to the hospital staff and said he wished to thank them personally.
The donation was coordinated with the support of Turkish businessman Mehmet Baser and facilitated through the office of Stamatis Kardassis, governor of the National Maritime Museum.
Reports note that the final cost of the equipment may exceed the pledged amount. Greek outlets described the gesture as “gratitude for a night when a life was saved.”
Sabanci, a third-generation member of the Sabanci family and Chairman of Esas Holding, also sits on the boards of companies including Pegasus Airlines, Desas, and UN Ro-Ro. He currently ranks 34th on Forbes’ 2025 list of Türkiye’s wealthiest individuals with a fortune of $960 million.
His career has been marked not only by business success but also by international recognition. In 2018, the French government awarded him the Légion d’Honneur for contributions to economic relations between Türkiye and France. He has also received multiple awards as “Businessman of the Year” in Türkiye.
The accident also left deep personal consequences. Turkish media reported that Vuslat Dogan Sabanci, daughter of media mogul Aydin Dogan, held her husband responsible for the crash.
Although the couple decided to divorce after 29 years of marriage, reports suggest that disputes over compensation have delayed the legal process. One claim cited a demand of ₺5 billion (around $120 million) in damages.
1 min read
2 min read
