Ferit Şahenk rises to top in 2012 list of Turkey's richest

Şahenk, who was ranked fourth in 2011 along with Semahat Arsel from the Koç family -- one of the wealthiest families in Turkey -- has been one of Turkey's most dynamic businessmen in recent years for increasing his company's operations in marinas and food services. While bringing international restaurant chains to İstanbul and buying existing successful restaurant chains in the city, Doğuş Holding also intensified its activities in boat marina operations by purchasing stakes in marinas mainly in Greece and the Balkan countries.

Arsel followed Şahenk in 2012 with $3.2 billion in net assets while the previous year's number one, Fiba Holding Chairman Hüsnü Özyeğin, shared third place in the listing with Yıldız Holding CEO Murat Ülker as they both had net assets worth $3.1 billion. Özyeğin's assets totaled $3 billion in 2011.

Also from Doğuş Holding, Filiz Şahenk followed the ranking with $3 billion in net assets, while the honorary chairman of Koç Holding, Turkish business legend Rahmi Koç, came fifth with his net assets worth $2.9 billion.

When Forbes magazine released its annual billionaires list last year, it reported that 1,226 people around the world -- of which 35 are Turkish -- have a net worth of at least $1 billion. In addition to those listed above, Çukurova Holding Chairman Mehmet Emin Karamehmet with a fortune of $2.9 billion, Şarık Tara with $2.3 billion, Suna Kıraç with $2.2 billion and Ali Ağaoğlu with $2.1 billion were also among the top 10 wealthiest Turks.