Cem Uzan

About

Businessman and politician who is a member and son of Uzan Group, a family owned media empire that was the first 100% Turkish-owned telecommunications company. He is the co-founder of Star TV. In 2002, he moved into politics, founding The Young Party. After a series of government seizures against his businesses and properties, he fled to France in 2009, claiming political asylum. He was sentenced in absentia to twenty-three years in prison on 15 April 2010. 

Before Fame

He graduated from Istanbul German High School, and received his degree in business administration from Pepperdine University in California. 

Trivia

In 1990, he bought the then-failing football club Istanbulspor. It was promoted back to first league in 1995, and was once again competing in the UEFA Cup by 1997. 

Family Life

He was married to Alara Kocibey from 1997 - 2009. He married Fanny Blanchelande in 2012. He has four children, Emre Renç, Yasemin Paris, Sinan Kemal, and Dilara Gizem Uzan. His parents are Kemal and Melahat Uzan. 

Associated With

Elif Gonlum and Melis Ayça Değirmencioğlu are also Turkish entrepreneurs.