17.06.2026 16:40
Veteran Yeşilçam actress Emel Yıldız was bid farewell on her final journey following a funeral ceremony held at the Fatih Mosque. Türkan Şoray, unable to hold back her tears during the ceremony, said goodbye to Yıldız with the words, "She was the first person to introduce me to cinema. She took me to film sets and had a great role in my start in cinema."
Yeşilçam actress and animal rights advocate Emel Yıldız, known by the nickname 'Panter Emel', was laid to rest in a funeral ceremony held at Fatih Mosque. After the ceremony, Yıldız's body was interred at Sarıyer Kilyos Cemetery. Actress Türkan Şoray, who attended the funeral, said, "She was the first person to introduce me to cinema. She took me to film sets. After that, I started in cinema. Even though we couldn't see each other every moment until the end, we always talked on the phone."
Emel Yıldız, one of the prominent actors of Yeşilçam and an animal rights advocate known as 'Panter Emel', passed away at the age of 85. A funeral ceremony was held for Yıldız today at Fatih Mosque. Yıldız, who had buried her daughter Elif Sofia 40 days ago, was attended by her son-in-law, grandson, veteran actress Türkan Şoray, Tuna Arman, neighbors, and loved ones. After the noon prayer, Yıldız's body was interred at Sarıyer Kilyos Cemetery following the funeral prayer.
"SHE WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO INTRODUCE ME TO CINEMA"
Türkan Şoray said, "She was my very dear sister. We never drifted apart over the years. This death has deeply saddened me. She was a very valuable person. Her love for animals was incredible. She will always live in my heart until I die. She was the first person to introduce me to cinema. She took me to film sets. After that, I started in cinema. Even though we couldn't see each other every moment until the end, we always talked on the phone."
"SHE STRUGGLED UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT"
Tuna Arman said, "She showed us a life of struggle and hardship. She spent a lifetime. She fought until the last moment to prove that animals are alive and have rights. We will follow in her footsteps. She didn't want to live much anymore. She was very tired. After losing her daughter, she became very exhausted. She went to court, was tried, struggled, shouted, cried, explained, and fought. A 'Panter Emel' passed through Turkey. She paved a great way for all of us. She taught us humanity, she taught us that humanity is not just about helping people. She taught us that they have lives. I am at her side, and I will follow in her footsteps until I die. She had three cats. They have been taken. Everyone, don't worry. We are following her path. The cats were first taken to a clinic. After that, we will decide what to do. We will stand behind her and not leave her with unfinished business. She endured this life for them."
"IN HER FINAL DAYS, BY SELLING BOOKS..."
Leyla Çelem said, "She was our next-door neighbor, we have lived side by side for 40 years. She was a good person, a decent person, minding her own business, there's nothing to be done. She was very nervous lately. In her final days, she raised money for animals' food and supplies by selling books. After her daughter's loss, she was in very bad shape, she couldn't enter her home and would sit at the door. She went through very difficult times."
"I CAME AS A DEBT OF GRATITUDE"
Hatice Bingöl said, "I came as a stray animal volunteer. That's how I know Emel Hanım. I came as a debt of gratitude. I have known her for 20-25 years. We have been caring for stray animals without fail for 21 years, in two districts of Istanbul."
WHO IS EMEL YILDIZ?
Emel Yıldız was born on May 18, 1941, in Bulgaria. The famous actress, who came to Turkey with her family at the age of 1 and began living in Istanbul, took music and performing arts lessons after middle school. She started her cinema career with the film 'Feryat' shot in 1959. In the 1990s, she took roles in various Yeşilçam productions. Among the films Emel Yıldız acted in are productions like 'Mustafa', 'Yeşil Köşkün Lambası', 'Cilalı İbo', 'Perili Köşkte', and 'Dişi Kurt'.