Biography
Who is Ajda Pekkan?
Early life and real name
Ayşe Ajda Pekkan was born on February 12, 1946, in Istanbul, Turkey. She is of Bosniak descent, with a father who served as a commander in the Turkish Navy and a housewife mother. Her family later relocated to Gölcük, Kocaeli, because of her father's military assignments.
Ajda entered the entertainment industry in the early 1960s. With help from her sister Semiramis Pekkan, she met local club owners and began her performing career as a vocalist with the music group Los Çatikos.
Acting career and transition to music
In 1963, Ajda won a cinema artist competition organized by Ses magazine. This victory led to her starring role in the film Adanalı Tayfur and kicked off a productive acting career. Over the next six years, she appeared in nearly fifty black and white films, including Şıpsevdi, Hızır Dede, and Şaka ile Karışık.
Despite her success on the screen, she eventually decided to quit acting entirely to focus on her growing passion for music. Working with lyricist Fecri Ebcioğlu, she released her first record, Her Yerde Kar Var, in 1965. Her musical style evolved as she recorded Turkish versions of popular foreign songs.
Rise to superstar status
Throughout the 1970s, Ajda expanded her reach across Europe and released records internationally through Philips International. Her collaboration with lyricist Fikret Şeneş produced major hits like Sensiz Yillarda and Kimler Geldi Kimler Geçti, which became defining tracks of her career and the Turkish pop genre.
She represented Turkey at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980 with the song Pet'r Oil, finishing in fifteenth place. Following this disappointment, she took a break from her career and spent time living in London and Los Angeles before returning to her music pursuits in Turkey.
Awards and legacy
Ajda has sold over fifteen million records, establishing herself as one of the best-selling artists in Turkey. She holds the official title of State Artist and received the honorary distinction of Officier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French government.
Her influence extends across generations of musicians, and many of her songs addressing the stories of powerful women became enduring anthems. Several of her releases remain celebrated as top albums in Turkish music history.
Birthday and age
Ajda Pekkan was born on February 12, 1946, which makes Ajda 80 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aquarius sign. Ajda shares the date with 35 other famous people.
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