Diaspora Armenian philanthropist, entrepreneur and public figure Vahakn Hovnanian has died.

Mediamax learned about it from “Hovnanian International” LLC, but the cause of death was not disclosed.

It should be noted that Vahakn Hovnanian was recently diagnosed with cancer.

Vahakn Hovnanian’s charity projects were aimed at the development and preservation of the Armenian culture and the development of tourism in Armenia.

He was born on Kirkuk, Iraq, in 1932. In 1959, Vahakn Hovnanian founded “Hovnanian Brothers” Corporation and in 1969, he established his own real estate construction (“Hovhit”) company. He was the President of “Hovnanian International” and “Hovnanian Group” companies since 1998.

Along with his wife Hasmik Hovnanian, Vahakn Hovnanian opened an Armenian school in the U.S. in 1976, and supported the settlement of educational, religious and cultural issues of the Armenian community in northeastern U.S.

In 2000, he established Sayat Nova Awards in Armenia and in 2002 – Vahakn Awards. In May 2001, Vahakn Hovnanian founded Armenian Tourism Development Agency (ATDA).

Detailed information concerning Hovnanian family is available here.