[1] His brothers were Sakıp (1933–2004), Hacı (1935–1998), Şevket (1936–2021), Erol (1938–) and Özdemir (1941–1996), all of whom contributed to the growth of a business imperium from nothing, founded by their father.
İhsan dropped out of school, and was a passionate football player in his youth.
However, he spent most of his time at the Demirspor football club's facilities in Adana.
He married Yüksel in 1953, with whom he had two daughters, Güler (born 1955 in İstanbul) and Nur, and a son, Ahmet Yakup.
[2] After the death in 2004 of İhsan's brother Sakıp, who led the family-controlled Sabancı Holding, İhsan's daughter Güler Sabancı was appointed the chairperson of the second-biggest industrial and financial conglomerate of Turkey.