Yüksel Uzel has passed away

Yüksel Uzel, a master of Turkish classical music, has passed away at the age of 73 in the hospital where she was receiving treatment in South Africa.

HER FUNERAL WILL BE BROUGHT TO ISTANBUL

Uzel was considered one of the most important figures in Turkish classical music.

The artist, who had been battling cancer for some time, was living in Johannesburg, South Africa. Uzel's body will be brought to Istanbul by her daughter, Arzu Uzel, for burial.

Yüksel Uzel, who underwent long-term treatment following a brain hemorrhage in 1997, left the stage after her recovery and settled in Johannesburg. Uzel, who operated a boutique hotel she purchased in the city, visited Turkey frequently during the pandemic.

Her daughter, Arzu Uzel, announced that Yüksel Uzel's funeral prayer is planned for Tuesday, following the afternoon prayer (ikindi namazı). 

WHO IS YÜKSEL UZEL?

Born Yüksel Katmer on April 19, 1950, to a Circassian mother and a Georgian father, Yüksel Uzel left high school after her father passed away at an early age and began her music career in 1975 as a choir member at the Istanbul Municipal Conservatory.

The famous classical music artist, who chose Yüksel Uzel as her stage name, gained great fame and was beloved by the public after performing for the first time at the Büyük Maksim Gazinosu in 1978.

Continuing her stage work for a time, Uzel released her first album in 1983 through Yavuz Plak titled "Bir Seni Bir Gülü Öptüm" (I Kissed Only You and a Rose). The song that gave the album its name was performed by many artists over the years.

In the following years, Yüksel Uzel turned increasingly toward Turkish classical music and achieved great success with records such as "Yıllar Yorgun Ben Yorgun" (The Years Are Tired, I Am Tired) and "Al Aşkını Ver Gönlümü" (Take Your Love, Give Me My Heart).

With the popularity she gained, Yüksel Uzel also tried her luck in cinema, starring in the 1988 film "Islak Sokak" (Wet Street) alongside Tarık Tarcan.