- Martin Naughton, the founder of Glen Dimplex and a billionaire philanthropist, has died aged 87 while traveling in the US with his wife Carmel.
- He died a short time after taking ill at the Harborview Medical Centre in Seattle.
- Naughton founded Glen Electric in 1973 and acquired Dimplex in 1977 to form Glen Dimplex.
- In 2001, Naughton endowed the Naughton Gallery at Queen's University Belfast with £500,000.
- He was awarded a KBE in 2015 and the Legion d'Honneur in 2016 for his philanthropy.
- In 2018, he gifted €25 million to Trinity College Dublin, marking one of the largest private donations in Irish history.
Martin Naughton, the founder of Glen Dimplex and a prominent philanthropist, passed away at the age of 87 while traveling in the U.S. with his wife Carmel. He took ill and died shortly after at Harborview Medical Centre in Seattle.123
Naughton founded Glen Electric in 1973, which became Glen Dimplex in 1977 after acquiring Dimplex, growing it into one of Ireland's largest privately-owned manufacturing businesses with a turnover of approximately €1.5 billion and employing thousands.4
His philanthropic efforts through the Naughton Foundation significantly impacted education and the arts in Ireland. In 2018, he and his wife made a historic donation of €25 million to Trinity College Dublin, believed to be the largest private philanthropic gift in Irish history.8
Naughton received numerous accolades, including a KBE from the Prince of Wales and France's Legion d'Honneur for his contributions to peace and philanthropy. Pope Francis also honored him and his wife with the Order of Saint Gregory the Great for their charitable work.67
His legacy is remembered by many, including Tanaiste Simon Harris, who called him an "exceptional businessman and an all-round thoroughly good human being." Naughton is survived by his wife Carmel and their children Fiona, Neil, and Fergal.
The British Ambassador to Ireland, Kara Owen, expressed deep sadness over his passing, highlighting Naughton's status as one of Ireland's most distinguished business leaders and philanthropists.
Naughton's commitment to education and cross-border cooperation was evident in his role as the inaugural chairman of InterTradeIreland, established under the Good Friday Agreement.
His contributions to society will continue to inspire future generations.
“Naughton died on Friday after falling ill while traveling in the US with his wife Carmel, passing away at Harborview Medical Centre in Seattle. He was awarded a KBE from the Prince of Wales and the Legion d'Honneur for his philanthropy and peace work.”
