Osijek Entrepreneur Branko Ostović, Owner of Renowned Car Collection, Passes Away
He leaves behind the restored Art Nouveau Villa Mimi, millions in healthcare donations, and one of Croatia's largest collections of luxury cars.
He leaves behind the restored Art Nouveau Villa Mimi, millions in healthcare donations, and one of Croatia's largest collections of luxury cars.
Branko Ostović, an entrepreneur whose name was linked to Sonic Bank, philanthropy, and one of the most famous private collections of luxury cars in this part of Europe, passed away in Osijek on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the age of 74. The news of his death was announced on August 10.
His business story began in 1995 with the founding of Slavonija Savings Bank. Two years later, it was renamed Sonic Savings Bank, and in 1998 it became a joint-stock company and grew into a full-fledged bank. According to data from 2003, Branko Ostović held 42.89 percent of the shares, with significant stakes also held by family members-Ljiljana, Tatjana, and Mirjana Ostović-as well as the company Info-leasing.
The pivotal business moment came in 2006 when Italy's Banco Popolare di Verona e Novara acquired 81.1 percent of Sonic Bank for approximately €30 million, or about 4,382 kuna per share. Ostović had earlier rejected an offer of €17 million, deeming it too low, and was satisfied with the price achieved. After the sale, he gradually withdrew from active business and turned to interests that would define the rest of his life.
Ostović's philanthropic side was as impressive as his business acumen. As early as 2008, it was reported that the Ostović family had donated more than four million kuna to charitable causes, with the value of equipment donated to the Osijek University Hospital Center at that time amounting to around 1.5 million kuna. One device alone-for processing mammography X-ray films-was worth 90,000 kuna.
Ostović himself explained his motivation simply: "when he found himself in a situation where he had more money than he needed, he decided to give some of it to humanitarian causes." He emphasized that he did not need publicity for his generosity.
After selling the bank, Ostović became known to the wider public for his car collection, which at various times numbered more than 30, or around 35 vehicles. It included a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a limited-edition Phantom Drophead Coupé Spirit of Ecstasy, an Alfa Romeo 8C Spider, a Porsche 911 Sport Classic, as well as models from Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin, and Jaguar.
Particular attention was drawn to a Rolls-Royce reportedly once owned by Hollywood actor Fred Astaire. As early as 2008, the media wrote about his purchase of an Alfa Romeo worth €220,000, and Ostović summed up his philosophy with a comparison: "some people have stocks, and some have a car collection they can sell if needed."
Perhaps Ostović's most lasting legacy is the restoration of Villa Batory on Radićeva Street. The Art Nouveau villa was built in 1906 according to the design of Osijek builder Otto Struppi and had been decaying for decades on a plot of over 3,000 square meters.
After nearly ten years of negotiations, he purchased it in 2019 through his company Vicus d.o.o. for about five million kuna and announced an investment of approximately 45 million kuna in its restoration. In just 18 months, the villa was transformed, with the facade restored to its original Art Nouveau appearance. Ostović named it Villa Mimi, after his wife Mirjana. He said he "bought the villa out of love for the city and beauty, and initially had no solid business plan for it."
Branko Ostović leaves behind not only money and cars but also a restored villa that was saved from decay with private funds and returned to the ranks of Osijek's architectural symbols-a tangible legacy that will remain for the city long after his passing.
