Süleyman Demirel secured his place in Turkish history by becoming the nation's ninth president, serving in that capacity from 1993 until 2000. Before ascending to the presidency, he held the office of Prime Minister seven times, navigating decades of political volatility while establishing himself as a defining figure of the Turkish right-wing movement throughout the late twentieth century.
Early Life and Engineering Foundation
Born in 1924 in the village of İslamköy, Demirel emerged from a rural background that stood in stark contrast to the traditional bureaucratic and military elite. He pursued technical education, graduating from the Istanbul Technical University in 1949 with a degree in civil engineering. His early career included significant technical work, such as serving as the director general of the State Hydraulic Works and overseeing various dam construction projects. He also expanded his expertise through postgraduate studies in the United States concerning irrigation and electrical technologies.
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Demirel entered national politics in the early 1960s, joining the Justice Party. Following the passing of party chairman Ragıp Gümüşpala in 1964, Demirel secured the leadership position at the party convention. His ability to connect with rural Anatolian voters became a hallmark of his career. In 1965, he achieved a parliamentary majority, becoming the first prime minister born within the Republic of Turkey and the youngest to hold that office at age 40.
Decades of Premiership
His political trajectory was marked by multiple terms as Prime Minister, interspersed with periods of opposition and military intervention. He served as premier during several distinct periods between 1965 and 1993, including tenures in the late 1960s and 1970s. After being barred from politics following the 1980 coup d'état, he returned to public life in 1987 to lead the True Path Party. His final stint as Prime Minister began in 1991, leading to his eventual election as President in 1993.
Legacy and Final Years
As President, Demirel presided over Turkey until his term concluded in 2000. Throughout his career, he received numerous international accolades, including the Independence Order in 1999, the Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2000, and the Sheref Order in 2013. He passed away in Ankara in 2015 and was buried in Atabey.
Fast facts
- Born: 1924, İslamköy
- Died: 2015, Ankara
- Education: Istanbul Technical University
- President of Turkey: 1993-2000
- Prime Minister of Turkey terms: 1965-1969, 1969-1970, 1970-1971, 1977-1978, 1979-1980, 1991-1993
- Party leadership: Justice Party, True Path Party
- Buried: Atabey
- Language: Turkish
Questions readers ask
How many times did Süleyman Demirel serve as Prime Minister?
He served as Prime Minister of Turkey seven times between 1965 and 1993.
What was his professional background before politics?
He was a civil engineer who specialized in dam construction and hydraulic works, eventually serving as the director general of the State Hydraulic Works.
Achievements
- Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- Worked as engineer and politician
