Rahşan Ecevit facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rahşan Ecevit
|
|
|---|---|
Ecevit in 2015
|
|
| Leader of the Democratic Left Party | |
| In office 14 November 1985 – 13 September 1987 |
|
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Bülent Ecevit |
| Leader of the Democratic Left People's Party | |
| In office 17 January 2010 – 12 June 2010 |
|
| Preceded by | Hulki Cevizoğlu |
| Succeeded by | Party closed |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Zekiye Rahşan Aral
17 December 1923 Bursa, Turkey |
| Died | 17 January 2020 (aged 96) Ankara, Turkey |
| Resting place | Turkish State Cemetery, Ankara |
| Political party | Democratic Left Party (1985–2009) Democratic Left People's Party (2009–2010) |
| Spouse | |
| Relatives | Nazlı Ecevit (mother-in-law) |
| Alma mater | Robert College |
| Profession | Politician, writer, painter |
Rahşan Ecevit (born Aral, 17 December 1923 – 17 January 2020) was a Turkish writer, artist, and politician. She was known for being the wife of Bülent Ecevit, who served as the Prime Minister of Turkey four times. This meant she was the "Second Lady" of Turkey during those periods.
Contents
Rahşan Ecevit's Early Life
Rahşan Ecevit was born in Bursa, Turkey. Her family came from Thessaloniki. They moved to a town called Şebinkarahisar in Giresun province after a population exchange in 1920. Her parents were Namık Zeki Aral and Zahide Aral.
Education and Marriage
In 1944, Rahşan graduated from Robert College, an American high school in Istanbul. She met her future husband, Bülent Ecevit, there. They were classmates and got married in 1946.
Rahşan Ecevit's Political Career
Rahşan Ecevit became a very important figure in Turkish politics. She helped lead political parties and worked to support her husband's career.
Founding a New Party
In 1980, there was a military coup in Turkey. General Kenan Evren led this event. Rahşan's husband, Bülent Ecevit, was put in prison. He was also not allowed to be involved in politics anymore. His political party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), was closed down.
Because of this, Rahşan Ecevit decided to act. On 14 November 1985, she started a new political party. It was called the Democratic Left Party (DSP). This party was a centre left and social democratic group. She led the party until her husband was allowed to return to politics in 1987.
Later Political Roles
From 1989 to 2004, Rahşan Ecevit was the vice president of the Democratic Left Party. She was in charge of how the party was organized.
Later, on 17 January 2010, she became the leader of another new party. This one was called the Democratic Left People's Party (DSHP). She formed this party when it seemed the DSP might not win many votes.
However, a new leader named Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu took over the CHP. He changed the party to be more social democratic. Because of this, Rahşan Ecevit closed her new party. She and many members then joined the CHP.
Rahşan Ecevit's Final Years
On 5 November 2006, her husband, Bülent Ecevit, passed away. He had been in a medically induced coma for almost six months.
Rahşan Ecevit herself died on 17 January 2020. She passed away at a hospital in Ankara. A few days later, she was buried next to her husband. They rest together in the Turkish State Cemetery.
See also
- Women in Turkish politics
- List of prime ministers of Turkey
