Greek-Australian identity Nick Andrianakos dies after heart attack, aged 81

Tributes are flowing for a “true giant” of Melbourne’s Greek community after the petrol king’s unexpected death overseas.

Greek-Australian billionaire Nick Andrianakos died after he suffered a heart attack in Greece on Sunday.

Greek-Australian billionaire Nick Andrianakos has been remembered as a “true giant” of Melbourne’s Greek community after his unexpected death overseas.

It comes after Greek media outlet Argolida24 reported Mr Andrianakos, 81, died after a heart attack in the Greek city Argos on Sunday — about 132km southwest of Athens — during an investment meeting.

He was taken to the Argos hospital where he died, with paramedics trying to revive him for an hour.

Greek community of Melbourne president Bill Papastergiadis OAM posted on social media that Mr Andrianakos was a “true giant” of the Greek community.

“He was a dear friend and significant benefactor. I will miss him dearly,” he said.

Born in a Pikerni, a small village in the Peloponnese region, Mr Andrianakos migrated to Melbourne in 1966 — at the end of his military service — where he made his fortune in the petrol industry and property investment.

In 1976 he founded Milemaker Petroleum which 50 years later had more than 50 service stations which were sold to Caltex in 2016 for $95m.

He also founded the Andrianakos Property Group which owns major commercial office buildings and shopping centres across Australia.

Mr Andrianakos recently bought a 50 per cent stake in Northland Shopping Centre for $385m, making his company Andrianakos Property Group a co-owner alongside Vicinity Centres.

His company’s portfolio also includes Broadmeadows Shopping Centre and AMPOL service stations in Melton, Truganina and Werribee.

He was also a prominent philanthropist, making significant donations to Melbourne’s Greek community.

Originally published as Greek-Australian identity Nick Andrianakos dies after heart attack, aged 81