Murat Ülker, the richest man in Turkey, is a Turkish businessman who once headed Yıldız Holding, one of the largest companies in the food industry in Turkey and the world. Under his family's management, the company expanded to include several globally recognized brands.

Murat Ülker was born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1959. His main residence is in Istanbul. Murat Ülker's father is Sabri Ülker, the original founder of Yıldız Holding, and his mother is Güzide Ülker. He is married and has three children.

Murat Ülker is considered one of the most prominent figures in the food industry in Turkey. He is the son of Sabri Ülker, the founder of Yıldız Holding. He completed his education in Istanbul, attending a traditional Turkish school in his early years. After finishing high school, he pursued his university studies at Boğaziçi University, Faculty of Administrative Sciences, Department of Business Administration.

He started his career in the group as a Control Coordinator in 1984, then served as Deputy General Manager of Operations and later as General Manager in subsequent years. Murat Ülker held the position of Executive Committee Member and Board Member in many of the group's companies.

Under Murat Ülker's leadership, Yıldız Holding expanded significantly by acquiring numerous global brands such as Ülker, Godiva, and McVitie's, making the company a strong competitor in the international market.

Murat Ülker is widely known for his successful management and business growth, renowned for his substantial expertise in management and investment. Besides his business ventures, Ülker is also known for his interest in charitable activities and social initiatives.

When and how was Yildiz Holding established?

Yıldız Holding was founded in 1944 by Sabri Ülker, Murat Ülker's father. The company began as a small family bakery in Istanbul and over time grew to become one of the largest food industry companies in Turkey and a leading name in this sector worldwide.

1944: The company started producing its first patisserie biscuit under the Ülker brand. This biscuit was produced by Sabri Ülker with his elder brother Asım Ülker and three of their colleagues.

1948: A biscuit factory was established in the village of Sağmacılar in the Topkapı Takkeci area. Biscuit production capacity was significantly increased.

1965: The factory was established in Topkapı Davutpaşa with modern machines. Biscuit production diversity was increased, and new arrangements were made concerning distribution. Orders from retailers in Anatolia were received, and products were delivered at factory prices without any shipping charges.

1970: Biscuit production was moved out of Istanbul for the first time, and production began with Anadolu Gıda company established in Ankara. New horizons were opened by establishing Anadolu Gıda as a public company at that time.

1974: Ülker Chocolate Factory was established next to the biscuit factory in Topkapı Davutpaşa. The range of products was expanded by adding chocolate varieties to the biscuit varieties. The first step towards globalization was taken by exporting $200,000 worth of biscuits to Middle Eastern markets.

1978: The company's own flour production began to ensure the quality of flour, the primary raw material for biscuits and cakes.

1979: Polinas Plastic Packaging Factory was established in Manisa in partnership with Anadolu Group to store products healthily and prevent them from becoming stale for a long time.

1983: The company began manufacturing the necessary machinery and production lines. Topkapı Machinery was established to produce the necessary production machinery for biscuits and chocolates within the group. The company manufactured the necessary machines and production lines.

1989: Yıldız Holding was established, bringing all the companies under its umbrella.

1992: Besler Gıda oil company was established, one of the key links in the growth process.

1993: Nasaş company was acquired, and the Ülkerspor Basketball Club team was established. Ülkerspor began competing in the Turkish league.

1996: Ak Gıda factory was established, starting investment in the milk and dairy products sector. With this investment, the "Ülker İçim" brand was born.

1999: A chocolate factory was purchased in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

2000: The strongest food brand "Bizim Mutfak" was launched.

2002: Della Gıda beverage factory was established.

2003: Ülker Bisküvi A.Ş became a subsidiary of Anadolu Gıda Sanayi A.Ş, whose shares are traded on the Istanbul Stock Exchange. It merged with the company and went public under its own name.

2004: Invested in the instant coffee sector with "Cafe Crown."

2005: Established a partnership with Kellogg's, the largest and most famous cereal producer in the world, which had been imported and marketed in Turkey until 2005. For the first time, the Kellogg brand appeared alongside another brand in products.

2006: After Ülker Spor won 4 Turkish league championships, 6 Presidential Cups, and 3 Turkish Cup championships, the journey in basketball continued with the Fenerbahçe Ülker team, established in collaboration with the Fenerbahçe basketball branch.

2007: Achieved major global success by purchasing Godiva, the giant chocolate company in the world, owned by Campbell Soup Company. Godiva became the most important link in the globalization process.

2008: A partnership was established with Unmaş, producing Turkey's first packaged bread, UNO, and with Doruk Unlu Mamuller, operating the Komsu bakery chain. Doğa çay and Oba çay companies were added to the group in the same year. Kerevitaş, Turkey's first frozen food company, was added to the group.

2010: Yıldız Granini, a company to operate in the fruit juice industry, was established in partnership with the Eckes-Granini Group, the leading fruit juice producer in Europe.

2011: Bizim Toptan, operating in the organized wholesale sector, was successfully opened to the public.

2012: The founder of the company, Sabri Ülker, passed away on June 12, 2012.

2013: Makarneks Quick Noodles began producing pasta under Yıldız Holding. Nissin Yıldız Gıda began its activities in 2012 as a 50% partner in Bellini Gıda. Aytaç Meat was established, equipped with the latest food technology today, and the Adapazarı sugar factory.

2014: Acquired DeMet’s Candy Company, a US-based chocolate-covered products company. Acquired the British company United Biscuits, the world's sixth-largest biscuit producer, with globally recognized brands such as McVitie's and Jacobs. With this deal, it became the third-largest biscuit company in the world.

2016: Integrated the famous brands Godiva, United Biscuits, and Ülker under the pladis umbrella and continued their global journey with steady steps.

2018: Established the Şok Marketler A.Ş group of large supermarkets in Turkey and began trading on the Istanbul Stock Exchange under the symbol SOKM starting from May 18, 2018.

2022: Established Yıldız Tech to support software development for digital applications within the group. Kerevitaş and Besler were merged under the Kerevitaş umbrella. Kerevitaş was merged with Besler, in which it owns 100%, under the Kerevitaş umbrella.

Brands managed by Yıldız Holding

Ülker: One of the largest and most famous brands in Turkey, known for its biscuits, chocolates, and confectionery products.

Godiva Chocolatier: The luxurious Belgian chocolate brand acquired by Yıldız Holding in 2008.

McVitie's: A well-known British biscuit brand, acquired as part of Yıldız Holding's acquisition of United Biscuits in 2014.

DeMet's Candy Company: An American confectionery company known for its "Turtles" and "Flipz" products.

United Biscuits: A British biscuits and snacks company that joined Yıldız Holding in 2014.

Pekpan: Specializes in the production of pastries and baked goods.

Şok Marketler: A popular retail chain in Turkey offering a wide range of daily consumer goods.

Ayla: A company operating in the beverages sector, focusing on juices and carbonated drinks.

Kerevitaş: Works in the frozen and canned food sector, including vegetables and ready meals.

G2M: Specializes in distribution and logistics services for the food sector.

Çamlıca Gazoz: A traditional Turkish brand in the carbonated beverage sector.

Polen Un: A company specializing in flour and grain products.

Ak Gıda: One of the largest dairy producers in Turkey, producing a wide range of dairy and cheese products.

Silivri Süt: A dairy production facility focused on providing high-quality products for the local and international market.

Biskrem: A famous snack brand known for its chocolate-filled biscuits.

Alpella: A Turkish brand specializing in chocolate confectionery and cocoa products.

Hobby: A chocolate and confectionery brand offering a variety of flavors and types.

Cafe Crown: A brand for coffee and warm beverage products.

Bahar: A Turkish brand offering a variety of teas and traditional beverages.

Bizim: A food brand that includes oils, spices, and other essential cooking products.

Oba: A pasta brand offering a variety of shapes and flavors.

Sarelle: A hazelnut chocolate spread product, popular in Turkey as a delicious addition to breakfast.

Nasip: A well-known brand in processed meats such as sausages and deli meats.

Ülker Bebe: Specializes in children's nutrition products such as powdered milk and child-specific biscuits.

Anatolia: A brand offering traditional food products like olives and pickles.

Kenton: Specializes in semi-ready cake and dessert products such as cake powder and mixes.

Tango: A brand offering a variety of salty snacks.

Halley: A chocolate-covered biscuit brand beloved by a wide range of consumers.

Albeni: A popular brand offering chocolate and caramel-coated bars.

Çikolata: Specializes in a wide range of chocolate products, whether dark or milk, and offers them in various forms such as bars and filled sweets.

Hanımeller: A producer of biscuits with various flavors, often offered in different sizes and shapes.

Dankek: Offers a variety of baked products such as cakes and cream-filled biscuits.

Greta: Offers premium biscuits and chocolates targeting the upper segment of the market.

Lavaş: Specializes in the production of traditional Turkish bread known as lavash.

Yedigün: A brand of soft drinks offering various fruity flavors.

Piko: Offers filled chocolates, considered a favorite among chocolate enthusiasts.

Çokonat: A brand offering chocolate products containing nuts, known for its rich taste.

Milango: Offers a variety of premium chocolate products targeting sophisticated chocolate enthusiasts.

Tatlimo: Specializes in offering traditional Turkish desserts such as baklava and other sweets.

İkram: A biscuit brand offering various flavors and options for enjoying snacks.

DIY: Provides solutions for preparing cakes and desserts at home in an easy and innovative way.

Şemsiye: A brand for hot and cold chocolate drinks.

Metre: Its products include chocolates offered in unconventional shapes, targeting young market segments.

Biskrem Duo: A version of Biskrem biscuits with double fillings and flavors, adding variety to consumer choices.