Dilek İmamoglu

About

Activist and wife of politician Ekrem Imamoglu, who was elected as Metropolitan Mayor of Istanbul in 2019. In her own career, she has worked to raise awareness for people with disabilities and children's education. She also became known as an outspoken proponent for women's rights and the revolutionary role women play in modern society. In October of 2019, she appeared on the cover of Madame Figaro Turkiye Magazine under the headline, "First Lady of Istanbul." 

Before Fame

After graduating from Istanbul's Department of Tourism, she earned her master's degree in public administration, having submitted her thesis on the topic of Glass Ceiling Syndrome. She continued her study of public administration to earn her PhD with a focus on the leadership prospects of Generation Y, and the influence of differing leadership styles on interspersed evolution. 

Trivia

Accompanied by Semra Cetinkaya, the Vice President of the Spinal Cord Paralysis Association of Turkey, she traveled about Istanbul in a wheelchair for a day to raise awareness and to personally experience the obstacles disabled individuals endure in their daily lives. In 2014, she was awarded the Sukru Surmen Award by the Spinal Cord Paralysis Association of Turkey for carrying out this awareness activity for people with disabilities. 

Family Life

The youngest of ten children, she grew up with nine older siblings including psychologist and lifestyle influencer Ceren Kaya. She married Ekrem İmamoğlu on November 18, 1995. Their wedding song was the sentimental love ballad, "Never Give Up" by multi-platinum Turkish pop idol Tarkan. The pair went on to have three children named Mehmet Selim and Semih, who are their sons, and Beren, their daughter.

Associated With

In January of 2020, she attended the theatrical event of the book "Devran," written by former Democratic Party leader Selahattin Demirtas, with Selvi Kilicdaroglu, the wife of Republican Party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.