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'The '''Koç family''' is a [[Turkey|Turkish]] dynasty of business people founded by [[Vehbi Koç]], the wealthiest self-made person in Turkey. His grandsons, the third generation of the Koç family, run today Turkey’s largest and most prestigious group of companies. * '''Vehbi Koç''' was born on [[July 20]], [[1901]] in [[Ankara]] and died on [[February 25]], [[1996]] in [[İstanbul]]. In 1926, he married Sadberk, the daughter of his aunt on his mother's side. Started in trade in his very young age, he built up a broad net of companies, and founded [[Koç Holding]] in 1963. He became the richest person in Turkey. His son [[Rahmi Koç|Rahmi Mustafa]] and three daughters Semahat, Sevgi and Suna succeeded him. :* '''Semahat Koç''', born 1928 in [[Ankara]], is the first child of Vehbi Koç. She graduated from the [[American College for Girls in Istanbul]] before studying at the [[Goethe Institute]] in [[Germany]]. She has been married to Dr. Nusret Arsel since 1956. Semahat is member of the board directors of [[Koç Holding]] and the Koç Foundation. She is president of the "Semahat Arsel Nursing Education and Research Center". :* '''Rahmi Mustafa Koç''' (born 1930 in [[Ankara]]) received his [[B.A.]] degree from [[Johns Hopkins University]], [[USA]] after graduating from the [[Robert College]] in İstanbul. He served at various managerial posts in the group companies, and in 1984 took over the leadership of the business empire his father founded. Rahmi married Çiğdem Meseretçioğlu but after the birth of their three sons, the couple divorced. In 2003, he transferred his chair to his eldest son Mustafa. He is currently honorary chairman of [[Koç Holding]]. ::* '''Mustafa Vehbi Koç''', born 1960 in İstanbul, is the eldest son of Rahmi Koç. He was educated in the [[Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz]] in [[Switzerland]], and graduated in 1984 from [[George Washington University]], [[USA]]. After serving at various posts, the third generation member of the family was appointed president of [[Koç Holding]] in 2003. He is married to Caroline Giraud. They have two daughters, Esra and Aylin. ::* '''Mehmet Ömer Koç''' was born on [[March 24]], [[1962]] in [[Ankara]] as the second son of Rahmi Koç. He graduated form [[Robert College]] in İstanbul and [[Millfield School]] in [[Somerset]], [[UK]]. Ömer was educated first at the [[Georgetown University]], [[Washington D.C.]], and then obtained his B.A. and [[Master's degree]] from [[Columbia University]], [[New York]]. After working in several posts in the Koç group companies, he is currently charged with the chair of energy group within the holding. ::* '''Yıldırım Ali Koç''' (born on [[April 2]], [[1967]] in İstanbul) is the youngest son of Rahmi Koç. After finishing the high school at [[Harrow School]], [[London]], he received his B.A. in 1989 from [[Rice University]], [[Houston, Texas]], followed by his [[Master's degree]] from [[Harvard University]] in 1997. He worked in various companies in the USA and in the Koç Group, and became chief executive of the information technologies group of the holding. He recently married Nevbahar Demirağ. :* '''Sevgi Koç''' was born 1938 as the third child of Vehbi Koç. She graduated from the [[American College for Girls in Istanbul]] and married Erdoğan Gönül, a member of the board of directors of the Koç Holding. She was also made a member of the board of directors of [[Koç Holding]] and the Koç Foundation. Sevgi also presided over the executive committee of the [[Sadberk Hanim Museum]] in İstanbul, and was a columnist in the Turkish newspaper "''Hürriyet''". She died on [[July 16]], [[2003]] in İstanbul due to cancer, shortly after her husband. :* '''Suna Koç''', born 1941, is the fourth child of Vehbi Koç. She graduated from [[American College for Girls in Istanbul]], and was then educated at the [[Bosphorus University]], İstanbul. She is married to İnan Kıraç, a high ranking executive of the Koç Group. They have one child. Suna has served various posts in the holding, most recently as vice president. She is also a board member of various foundations and educational institutions. Due to her contributions in education, health and social service in Turkey, Suna was awarded "Supreme Service Medal" by state president [[Süleyman Demirel]] in 1997. In 1999 The [[London Business School]] chose to grant her "honorary membership" for her contributions in leadership at the [[Koç Holding]] and in the education of children in Turkey. ==See also== * [[Pera Museum]] * [[Rahmi M Koç Museum]] * [[Sadberk Hanim Museum]] [[Category:Koç family|*]] [[Category:Turkish businesspeople]] [[Category:Turkish billionaires]] [[tr:Koç Ailesi]]'