Asil Nadir, Disgraced Polly Peck Tycoon, Dies at 83
The Turkish-Cypriot businessman built a global empire before its collapse in the 1990s, leading to fraud charges and years of exile.
- Asil Nadir transformed Polly Peck from a small British fashion house into a global conglomerate with over 200 companies, including Del Monte and Russell Hobbs.
- The company collapsed in 1990 under £1.3 billion in debt, with Nadir accused of embezzling millions and manipulating share prices.
- Nadir fled the UK in 1993 to Northern Cyprus, evading extradition and living in luxury for 17 years before returning voluntarily in 2010.
- In 2012, he was convicted on ten charges of theft totaling £29 million and sentenced to ten years in prison, serving part of his term in Turkey.
- Nadir's legacy remains controversial, marked by his business achievements, legal troubles, and claims of conspiracy against him.