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Turgut OzalTurkish Prime Minister and President of Turkey
Date of Birth: 13.10.1927
Country:  Turkey |
Content:
- Biography of Turgut Ozal
- Early Career
- World Bank and Private Sector
- Political Career
- Presidency and Foreign Relations
- Controversial Death
Biography of Turgut Ozal
Early Life and EducationTurgut Ozal was born in Malatya, Turkey. He completed his primary school education in Silifke, secondary school in Mardin, and high school in Kayseri. He obtained his scientific degree in electrical engineering from Istanbul Technical University in 1950.
Early Career
From 1950 to 1952, Ozal worked in the State Electrical Power Planning Administration. He further expanded his knowledge in the field of electrical engineering in the United States from 1952 to 1953. Upon his return to Turkey, Ozal continued working in the same administration, focusing on various projects related to the electrification of the country until 1958. He then moved to the State Planning Department in 1959 and the Planning Coordination Department in 1960. Ozal served in the military in 1961 and after his discharge, he returned to work in various government organizations, primarily in leadership positions, and also took up teaching at the Middle East Technical University.
World Bank and Private Sector
From 1971 to 1973, Ozal worked at the World Bank, after which he held the position of chairman in several private Turkish companies until 1979. Returning to public service, he became an assistant to Suleyman Demirel, the Minister at the time. Despite a subsequent military coup, Ozal remained in his position as Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs until July 1982.
Political Career
On May 20, 1983, Turgut Ozal founded the Motherland Party (Anavatan Partisi) and became its leader. After winning the elections, Ozal assumed the position of Prime Minister on December 13, 1983. The Motherland Party also achieved victory in the 1987 elections. On June 18, 1988, Ozal survived an assassination attempt during a party congress. Although he was shot twice, with one bullet grazing his head and the other hitting his finger, Ozal survived. The assassin, Kartal Demirag, was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. In 1992, while acting as the President, Ozal pardoned his unsuccessful assassin. In late 2008, Demirag's case was reviewed, and he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Presidency and Foreign Relations
Turgut Ozal was elected as the President of Turkey on November 9, 1989. He became the first President in the country's history to be born in Turkey rather than the Ottoman Empire. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ozal focused on establishing friendly relations with prospective allies in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. During the Gulf War in 1991, Ozal voiced support for the anti-Iraqi coalition.
Controversial Death
On April 17, 1993, Ozal passed away from a suspicious heart attack. Rumors immediately circulated suggesting foul play in his death. Ozal's wife claimed that he was poisoned with a contaminated beverage, pointing out that no autopsy was conducted, and the blood samples taken were ultimately lost. In September 2012, a decision was made to exhume Ozal's body. On October 3, 2012, his body was extracted from the grave and surprisingly well-preserved from the chest upwards.
