26.04.2026 23:33
Elvan Özal spoke for the first time after allegations that Turgut Özal's son, Ahmet Özal, divorced his wife by saying, 'We need to divorce so the SDIF can seize the assets,' and then married his young lover. Özal stated, 'He told me it was a temporary divorce and that we would remarry soon. Shortly after, I learned he was in an extramarital relationship. He deceived me and my family.'
Tensions within the family came to the forefront during the ceremony held for the 8th President Turgut Özal. Following the allegations, attention turned to Ahmet Özal's private life. The end of a 41-year marriage and subsequent developments caused a wide public outcry. Elvan Özal responded to the allegations.
ALLEGATION: "HE SAID LET'S DIVORCE FOR THE ASSETS AND MARRIED SOMEONE ELSE"
At the commemoration ceremony for former President Turgut Özal, the distant appearances within the Özal family drew attention. While it was claimed that "cold winds were blowing" among the family, information leaked to the public sparked debate. The identity of a foreign woman who caught the attention of attendees was quickly revealed, and it was learned that the person in question was Ahmet Özal's new wife, Asuman Özal.
According to Seyhan Avşar's report, Turgut Özal's son Ahmet Özal separated from his 41-year wife, Elvan Özal, with the words, "The TMSF will seize the assets, we need to divorce." His marriage to someone else shortly after the divorce drew attention. Among the allegations was the information that Elvan Özal had developed cancer due to the sadness she experienced.
"THE FAMILY TURNED ITS BACK ON ÖZAL, SUPPORTED ELVAN ÖZAL"
According to the claim, Efe Özal's wife Sinem Özel stated that the family distanced themselves from Ahmet Özal and supported Elvan Özal. This alleged division within the family revealed that the process had effects not only on an individual level but also on a familial scale.
ELVAN ÖZAL: HE DECEIVED ME AND MY FAMILY
Following the events, Elvan Özal spoke for the first time in a statement to journalist Nevşin Mengü. Noting that a marriage spanning over 41 years cannot be explained in a few sentences, Özal said she was informed that the divorce was a "temporary process." Stating that TMSF debts were cited as the reason, Özal expressed that they continued living together after the divorce but later learned that her husband had an extramarital affair. In her statement, Elvan Özal said:
“I am sorry to have to make this statement. Because a marriage of over 41 years is not a story that can be told or defended in a few sentences. However, due to some statements reflected in the public opinion distorting the truth, it is impossible to remain silent. He told me that the properties belonging to my family were at risk due to TMSF debts, and to protect against this, it was a 'temporary divorce' process, that it was only on paper, and that we would remarry shortly. To sustain this situation, he ended our marriage using the TMSF debt as an excuse. Indeed, after the divorce, we continued to live together.
However, shortly after, I learned that he had an extramarital affair before our divorce. He deceived me and my family. After that, I asked him to leave the house we were living in together. Trusting a 41-year life partnership is not a mistake. But unfortunately, I paid a heavy price for this trust. Throughout our marriage, trusting him and believing his words, I was by his side in difficult times. However, I sadly watched his statements made at the beginning of this week, where he used untrue expressions claiming he constantly saw me, cared for me, and that our family ties were strong. I am going through the most difficult times of my life right now. I am fighting for my life. In such a process, what is needed is not distortion of facts, but respect and calmness.
I am making this statement not to slander anyone, but only to tell my own truth. Because staying silent would mean accepting what is said. And I do not accept my experiences being narrated in this way.”
AHMET ÖZAL: THE ALLEGATIONS ARE NOT TRUE, THEY ARE ALL NONSENSE
Ahmet Özal said the following on the program "What's Happening in Life":
"These allegations are absolutely not true. I am already a retired member of parliament; I only have this salary and no other assets. I divorced my 40-year wife, Mrs. Elvan, on 29.04.2021. I married my new wife 20 months after the divorce, and there was never a contested divorce. My wife's illness emerged a month ago, so it is very recent. I am trying to be there for her during this process, and we are in contact.
My son and daughter are people who have reached the age of 40. Even mentioning these allegations is not right; it is all nonsense. Probably, my frequent appearances on television programs in recent years have disturbed some people, leading them to make up such an allegation. What has been written is absolutely not true. I continue to see my siblings as well. The allegations are never true."