Ferdi Tayfur, the master of arabesque music who was treated in Antalya, died in the hospital where he was treated.
The artist, who wrote many albums and songs throughout his music career, was 79 years old.
When Ferdi Tayfur fell ill at his home in Marmaris on December 15, he was first transferred by ambulance to a private hospital in the district, and then to another private health institution in Muğla.
It was stated that the 79-year-old artist, who was treated in the intensive care unit of the general surgery department, had a stent inserted into his brain vessel in a surgery performed at a hospital in Antalya and was discharged 4 days ago.
Ferdi Tayfur, who received dialysis treatment for a while, had his son's kidney transplanted in Antalya in 2020. Tayfur was transferred from Muğla to Antalya on the evening of December 16, was treated at Medical Park Antalya Hospital and underwent surgery.
Who is Ferdi Tayfur?
Born in Adana on November 15, 1945, his full name is Ferdi Tayfur Turanbayburt, and his father Cumali Bey, a fan of dubbing artist Ferdi Tayfur, named him.
Tayfur, whose education life ended with the death of his father, his mother remarried, and although he wanted to study, he could not find the opportunity due to the poor and tragic life he lived, worked as an apprentice in his stepfather's candy store during his childhood.
The artist, who learned to read in business life, later started to contribute to his family's income by working on the farm and sang at weddings in the same years.
Participated in Adana Radio's music competition
The artist, who participated in Adana Radio's music contest and came second, which he saw advertised in a local newspaper, came to Istanbul, found a job at the Lunapark Casino, despite his stepfather's opposition, and started playing baglama with Nurten İnnap.
Ferdi Tayfur, who recorded his first record called Leyla and earned 500 liras from this record, signed a two-record deal with Seda Plak in 1968. Unable to receive the expected attention, the artist returned to Adana and took over the work on the farm.
The artist, who continued his music studies during these years, released his record “I Have No Peace” after a three-year break. The artist, who attracted attention in 1973 with the single titled “Wild Flowers”, which he made on behalf of Görsev Plak, and made a name for himself with the single titled “Tell Me the Truth” in 1974.
He gained a large fan base with his song “Çeşme”
Ferdi Tayfur was transferred to Elenor Plak in 1975 and gained a wide fan base with his songs “Let's Go Gurbeti” and “Çeşme” and made his name known all over the country.
The artist, whose first record sold more than expected, but due to financial difficulties, two songs he composed with the initiative of Atilla Alpsakarya, the owner of Elenor Plak, were sold to Gülden Karaböcek, achieved his real breakthrough with the song “Çeşme”. His first movie with the same name, starring Necla Nazır, was released in 1976 and was watched by 12 million people.
Tayfur's album “Prangalar”, released in 1992, became one of Turkey's best-selling albums with 5 million copies. Meeting with his fans at concerts, Tayfur's concert in Gülhane Park in 1993 broke the record of the period and was attended by 200 thousand people.
The artist had a son named Timur from a woman with whom he lived when he was 16-17 years old. He got married to Zeliha Hanım in a modest ceremony in 1974. He had two daughters, Tuğba and Funda, from his first and only legally married wife, Zeliha Hanım.
He had a daughter named Tuğçe with movie actress Necla Nazır, with whom he lived together for nearly 30 years and separated in 2007. While he was with Necla Nazır, the artist had another child named Ferdi Taha from Habibe Ümyani Demir. After many years, Tayfur started living with his first wife Zeliha Turanbayburt again in 2010.
The artist, who had been living in Marmaris for a long time, died in the hospital where he was treated in Antalya on January 2, 2025.
Throughout his music career, he was awarded the best singer and honorary awards by many institutions and organizations, as well as 9 Golden Record awards.
Ferdi Tayfur, the popular name of arabesque music, sang “İçim Yanar”, “Bana Sor”, “Yaktı Beni”, “An Enough That Remembers”, “I Miss You Too”, “Sabahçı Kahvesi”, “Don't Worry You” and “Those Who Love Like Me” He won the admiration of his fans with his many songs such as, as well as the dozens of albums he signed and the movies he starred in.
A funeral ceremony will be held on January 4
According to the statement made by Recep Ergül, President of the Professional Association of Musical Work Owners of Turkey (MESAM), a funeral ceremony will be held for the master artist at the Atatürk Cultural Center on Saturday, January 4.
Tayfur's body will be buried in Yeniköy Cemetery after the afternoon prayer at Emirgan Çınaraltı Mosque.
Condolence messages for Ferdi Tayfur
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz wished God's mercy to the artist Ferdi Tayfur, who lost his life in the hospital where he was treated in Antalya.
In his message shared on his social media account, Yılmaz said, “May God have mercy on Ferdi Tayfur, our valuable artist and well-known gentleman with his personality, and I offer my condolences to his family, loved ones and our art community. May he rest in peace. How happy are those who left behind beautiful memories and works.” he said.
Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, wished God's mercy to the artist Ferdi Tayfur, who lost his life in the hospital where he was treated in Antalya.
In the message he published on his social media account, Kurtulmuş said, “May God have mercy on Ferdi Tayfur, the master of arabesque music, who has earned a place in the hearts of our nation with the title of 'Ferdi Baba', and I offer my condolences to his family, loved ones and the entire art community.” He included his statements.
Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç, in his message published on his social media account, said, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of the unforgettable voice of Turkish music, Ferdi Tayfur, who won the hearts of our nation with his works. May God have mercy on our master artist, and I offer my condolences to his precious family, fans and the art community. Rest in peace.” let it be.” he said.
Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş said, “May God have mercy on Ferdi Tayfur, the unforgettable voice of Turkish music, and offer my condolences to his family, fans and the entire music community. We will always remember the great artist who won our hearts with his songs. May he rest in peace.” shared his message.
Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan also said, “I wish God's mercy to our master artist, Ferdi Tayfur, the unforgettable voice of Turkish music, who I learned the news of his death with sadness. My condolences to his family, loved ones and the entire art community. May he rest in peace.” he said.
Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, said in his post: “I wish God's mercy to our artist Ferdi Tayfur, the precious man of our art world, who translated the feelings of millions with his voice and words, and the gentleman of arabesque music, and I offer my condolences to his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace.” He wished.
Minister of Internal Affairs Ali Yerlikaya, on his social media account, said, “We are deeply saddened to have lost Ferdi Tayfur, one of the unforgettable names of Turkish music with his unforgettable works. May God have mercy on our precious artist, and I offer my condolences to his family, relatives and our music community. May he rest in peace.” shared.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated in his condolence message that he learned of Tayfur's death with deep sadness. Ersoy said, “Our art world lost a very exceptional name today. The great master, who translated the feelings of millions with his works, will now live in our hearts; he will accompany us in our pains and joys. I wish God's mercy on him, my condolences to his family, loved ones and our entire art community. May he rest in peace. ” he said.
Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin stated that he learned with sadness the news of the death of Ferdi Tayfur, one of the popular names in the music world, and said, “May God have mercy on our valuable artist, who created many works in his 79-year life and made a place in the hearts of our nation, and I wish patience to his family, relatives and loved ones. He may rest in peace.” I hope so.” shared his message.
On the other hand, the following was noted in the post from the Ministry of Health regarding the death of Ferdi Tayfur:
“We learned with deep sadness the death of Ferdi Tayfur, one of our country's rare artists. Ferdi Tayfur, who won the hearts of millions with the works he contributed to Turkish music, will always be remembered with respect.”
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, in his message published on his social media account, said, “We are saddened to lose the unforgettable name of Turkish music, Ferdi Tayfur, who translated the feelings of millions with his unforgettable works. May God have mercy on our valuable artist; his family, relatives, lovers and music lovers I offer my condolences to our community. May he rest in peace.” he said.
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır said, “He was an interpreter of emotions. He was a great artist who won the love of millions. May God have mercy on our valuable artist Ferdi Tayfur, and I offer my condolences to his family, our music community and his fans.” He shared.
Minister of Commerce Ömer Bolat also included the following statements in his post:
“I learned with sadness the death of Ferdi Tayfur, one of the valuable artists of our country, the unforgettable name of arabesque music, who won hearts with the nickname 'Ferdi Baba'. I wish patience to his family, all his fans and the art community. May God rest his soul and rest in peace.”
In his condolence message, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı said, “May God have mercy on Ferdi Tayfur, one of the legends of Turkish music, who touched our hearts with his songs and translated the feelings of millions, and I offer my condolences to his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace.”
