12.07.2026 18:30
Sultan Özcan, 74, known among the public in Konya as the "Woman in Red" and a symbolic figure of the city, has passed away. Özcan, who concealed a half-century love story and a broken heart behind her red attire, died yesterday evening at the hospital where she had been receiving treatment.
Sultan Özcan, 74, known for walking around Konya's streets every day in red clothes and makeup, and whose life story was featured in documentaries and TV series, passed away at the hospital where she was receiving treatment. Özcan, who became one of the city's iconic figures, was laid to rest today in a funeral ceremony.
A STORY BEGINNING WITH LOVE ENDED WITH VIOLENCE AND LONELINESS
Sultan Özcan's sorrowful story, whom everyone knew as the "Woman in Red," began when she married her childhood sweetheart, a teacher, at age 15. Living in different cities such as Hakkari and Giresun due to her husband's job, Özcan's marriage turned into a nightmare after some time due to jealousy fits and her husband's violence. Abandoned by her husband in 1995 because they could not have children, Özcan returned to her hometown Aksaray and started psychiatric treatment. After losing her family, she moved to Konya to live with her older brother, was diagnosed with "Mood disorder," and struggled to survive in her one-room home.
"I WORE RED SO HE WOULDN'T LOOK AT ANYONE ELSE"
Sultan Özcan had previously described the heartbreaking secret behind her memorable love for the color red with these words:
"When we were in Hakkari, we saw a girl in a red dress. My husband told me, 'The girl is very beautiful, do you see?' So, to keep him from coveting her, I went and bought a red dress from the store. I dressed just like that girl. Since that day, I have worn red so that my husband wouldn't look at anyone else and would always love me. We separated due to discord over children. If we had had a child, life would have been very different, and these things wouldn't have happened to me."
KONYA'S SYMBOL WAS LAID TO REST
Sultan Özcan, who had been receiving treatment at Selçuk University Medical Faculty since June due to health problems she experienced recently, passed away last night despite all medical interventions.
Özcan's funeral was buried at Kağnıcılar Cemetery in the Karatay district today after the afternoon funeral prayer.