13.07.2026 14:10
Following the death of the renowned historian Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, the sale of some of his personal belongings by his daughter Tuna Ortaylı on second-hand platforms became a subject of controversy. Breaking her silence amid the criticism, Tuna Ortaylı stated that her father had seven houses in Istanbul that needed to be liquidated, and announced that the proceeds from the sales would be transferred to a memorial forest to be established under the TEMA Foundation.
Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı's daughter Tuna Ortaylı has drawn attention by putting various objects belonging to her father, such as cups and vases, up for sale in second-hand goods groups on WhatsApp at prices ranging from 200 to 800 lira. As these posts spread on social media, many users reacted to the situation, describing the sale of the late historian's belongings as "disrespect" and "ingratitude."
"THERE ARE 7 HOUSES TO BE CLOSED IN ISTANBUL"
In response to the intense criticism, Tuna Ortaylı shared a statement in the group where she made the sales, stating that she did not want to involve the process with her personal matters but felt the need to speak out due to the news. Ortaylı highlighted the abundance of items left by her father, saying:
"My father has 7 houses that need to be closed just in Istanbul. In these houses, aside from the desks and books I consider sacred, there are numerous objects, most of which he bought himself or received as gifts, beyond those distributed to close acquaintances."
"NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED"
Ortaylı stated that the purpose of putting the items up for sale was not commercial, but rather to generate resources for a social responsibility project, expressing her discomfort with the accusations she faced in these words:
Donation to TEMA Foundation: Ortaylı said she did not want the items to go to waste, noting that the income from the sales would be transferred to a memorial forest to be opened by the TEMA Foundation in the name of İlber Ortaylı.
"Ungrateful Daughter" Accusation: Complaining about the criticism despite her good intentions, Ortaylı said, "Now I am being accused of being 'the ungrateful daughter selling her father's belongings.' No good deed goes unpunished in our country."
SALES HALTED: HE WOULD WANT TO BE REMEMBERED FOR HIS BOOKS
Announcing that she had ended the sales activities in the group following the reactions, Tuna Ortaylı thanked those who had contributed to the memorial forest by purchasing items earlier.
Emphasizing that her real plans for preserving her father's legacy were different, Ortaylı concluded her statements with this meaningful message:
"We will establish a library in my father's name. As an academician, he would have wanted to be remembered for his books, not his teacups."