The founder of the ITI group and co-founder of television broadcaster TVN Jan Wejchert passed away on Friday night at the age of 59.

The famous businessman had been fighting a secret battle with leukemia for 16 years. According to a communiqué from the ITI group, the direct cause of death was heart failure caused by an infection and sepsis, which caused his immunological system to break down.

In 1984 Mr Wejchert co-founded the ITI group and ran it jointly with Mariusz Walter and Bruno Valsangiacomo.

"He co-developed free media, made contributions to culture, successfully tried to organize entrepreneurs and thought, not only thought, but also acted in favor of civic society in Poland,” said former NBP chairman Leszek Balcerowicz.

Mr Wejchert lived in Konstancin Jeziorna near Warsaw, was married with five kids. His son Łukasz Wejchert is a member of TVN's management board and is a deputy president responsible for the Onet group.