Sabri Ülker (1920 – 12 June 2012) was a Turkish industrialist and businessman, and the founder of Ülker.

Sabri Ülker
Sabri Ülker
Born
Sabri Berksan

1920
Crimea, USSR
Died12 June 2012
Istanbul, Turkey
Resting placeTopkapi Cemetery, Istanbul
NationalityTurkish
EducationMarmara University
OccupationBusinessman
Known forFounder, Ülker
SpouseGüzide Iman
Children3, including Murat Ülker
Websitesabriulker.com.tr

Early life

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Sabri Ülker was born in 1920 in Crimea.[1] His family is of Crimean Tatar origin and fled to Turkey to escape communism.[1]

Having spent his early childhood in Crimea,[2] Sabri Ülker immigrated to İstanbul 1929 together with his family.[2]

Education

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Arriving in İstanbul at the age of 9, he started his education at Kadırga Elementary School.

[2] After the elementary school, he studied at İstanbul High School for a brief period. Upon winning the right to attend the public boarding school during his 2nd year at junior high, he went to Bilecik. He graduated from Bilecik Junior High School and then Kütahya High School. During World War 2, he had his college degree at Sultanahmet Academy of Economics and Commerce (Marmara University, today).[2]

Career

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He founded the Ülker company in 1944.[3] It became known as Yıldız Holding in 1989.[3]

Ülker has also led social development projects.[4] He was among the founders of the Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion (TEMA).[4]

Personal life

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He was married to Güzide Iman, born in Balıkesir in 1924, the daughter of a tradesman father Muharrem İman, and his wife Sabih.[5] They had three children, Ali Ülker, who died young, Ahsen Özokur and Murat Ülker.[6]

He died on 12 June 2012.[6]

Legacy

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The Sabri Ülker Center at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Cambridge, Massachusetts is named in his honor.[3]

Awards in his name

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  • Sabri Ülker Environment Award[7]
  • Sabri Ülker Science Award[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b Pelin Turgut, Ülker: Ambitious confectioner snaps up Belgium's Godiva, Financial Times, November 28, 2008
  2. ^ a b c d "Founder of Ülker, one of Turkey's most famous brand names passes on". Sabah English. Archived from the original on 2020-07-01.
  3. ^ a b c "Home". Hotamışlıgil Lab.
  4. ^ a b Politicians, business world, rival say farewell to founder of Ülker, Hurriyet Daily News, June 14, 2012
  5. ^ "THE STORY OF THE GREAT LOVE BETWEEN SABRI AND GÜZID | Yıldız Holding". english.yildizholding.com.tr.
  6. ^ a b "Life Story". www.ulker.com.tr. Archived from the original on 2012-11-14.
  7. ^ "Sabri Ülker Environment Award". Yıldız Holding.
  8. ^ "Sabri Ülker Science Award". Sabri Ülker Foundation.