The political career of Ahmet Mesut Yılmaz spanned several decades, during which he served three separate terms as the Prime Minister of Turkey. Born in Istanbul in 1947, he emerged as a significant figure within the Motherland Party, eventually leading the organization for over a decade while navigating the complex coalition-based landscape of Turkish governance.
Early Career and Ministerial Roles
Educated at the Ankara University Faculty of Political Science and the University of Cologne, Yılmaz built his political foundation within the Motherland Party under Turgut Özal. He represented Rize in parliament and held various cabinet positions, including Minister of Culture and Tourism in 1986 and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1987 until 1990. Following Özal's elevation to the presidency, Yılmaz became a leading internal opponent to his successor, Yıldırım Akbulut.
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Take the IQ test →Terms as Prime Minister
Yılmaz first assumed the office of Prime Minister in 1991 after displacing Akbulut, but his term ended later that year following electoral losses to the True Path Party. He returned to the premiership in 1996 for a short-lived tenure and again from June 1997 to January 1999. His final term was defined by the ANAP-Democratic Left Party-Democrat Turkey Party coalition and fallout from the Susurluk scandal, which exposed deep ties between political factions, police, and criminal syndicates.
Later Political Activity and Legal Challenges
From 1999 to 2002, he acted as Deputy Prime Minister in the government led by Bülent Ecevit. His later years were complicated by corruption allegations regarding the privatization of the Türk Ticaret Bankası, though the Supreme Court suspended these proceedings in 2006. After failing to retain his seat in 2002, he successfully returned to the Grand National Assembly as an independent member for Rize in 2007, serving until 2011.
Personal Life and Final Years
Yılmaz was married to Berna Yılmaz, with whom he had two sons, Hasan and Yavuz. The death of his son Yavuz in 2017 was a significant personal tragedy. Yılmaz himself died in Istanbul on 30 October 2020 due to complications arising from lung cancer. He was laid to rest at the Kanlıca Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1947, Istanbul
- Died: 2020, Istanbul
- Political Party: Motherland Party (ANAP)
- Positions: Prime Minister (1991, 1996, 1997–1999)
- Education: Ankara University Faculty of Political Science
- Spouse: Berna Yılmaz
- Final parliamentary service: 2007–2011
Questions readers ask
How many times did Mesut Yılmaz serve as Prime Minister?
He served three times: once in 1991, once in 1996, and again from 1997 to 1999.
What was the cause of Mesut Yılmaz's death?
He died in 2020 from complications related to lung cancer.
