Muazzez Abacı Death: Life, Career, and Funeral of a Turkish Icon

Another star. Gone. But how did one of Turkish classical music’s most iconic voices meet her end, so flipping far from home? Muazzez Abacı’s death, at 78, hit Turkey from the U.S., sparking a ton of mourning. And, naturally, questions. About her wild life, whispers of riches. And a funeral? Way emptier than anyone expected for such a legend.

A Voice That Defined an Era of Turkish Classical Music

Muazzez Altıok, born in Ankara in November 1947. Her journey just beginning. Lost her boxer dad to pneumonia at only eighteen months. Tragic, right? A rough start. After interning at Ankara Radio in ’67, that velvet voice, it just popped. Captivating folks in the early 70s.

An authentic sound. That’s her. Her first 45 rpm record? Out in 1973. A year later, boom. Lead singer at the legendary Maxim Casino, where all the big shots hung out. Muazzez Abacı wasn’t just belting out tunes; she was the elegance, the whole vibe of traditional Turkish music.

The Peak: Albums, Stages, and Daring Musical Choices

The 80s and 90s? All hers. Albums like “Geceler” and “Şakayık” were huge. Instant hits. Her “Vurgun” album in 1990 cemented her place: absolute peak. She wasn’t scared to twist classics, giving songs like “Bana Her şey Seni Hatırlatıyor” and “Kar Yangınları” fresh breath.

She even tried out modern stuff. Famously covered Serdar Ortaç’s “Umrumda Değil” in the 90s. Showed she had range. But, even with lots of chances, Muazzez Abacı totally skipped Yeşilçam films. Singer. That’s it. Her art. After becoming a State Artist in 1998, she chilled out for a bit. Then, a huge comeback in 2014! Dropping two more albums, the last one coming out in 2018.

A Life of Heartbreak, Passion, and High-Stakes Romance

Off the stage, Muazzez Abacı’s life? Totally a Turkish soap opera. At 18, she married Abdurrahman Abacı, a cop. Their daughter, Saba, born 1969. But that marriage? Poof. Done in 1970. Another one with lawyer Atilla Kurtbaş? Also over fast, 1975.

Then, Hasan Heybetli popped up. A real underworld guy. Their romance? Straight outta a movie. He literally dumped two truckloads of roses on her street just to get her attention. Nuts, right? Married in 1980, while he was locked up. That lasted three wild years. Divorced. Got back together. Divorced again in 1993, for good this time. But her daughter, Saba, called Heybetli an “older brother.” Showed a whole different side to that twisted connection.

A Farewell: From American Treatment to an Ankara Burial

Muazzez Abacı often headed to the U.S. to see her daughter and grandson. That’s where, in October 2025, things went bad. A heart attack. Then kidney stuff, after some procedure, making it a real fight. Passed away November 12, 2025. Her 78th birthday, no less.

Saba, her daughter, who’s a doctor herself, shot down any talk of sloppy care. Said her mom just reacted badly to antibiotics. And another thing: Her passing? Total end of an era. Came right after her first husband. And, weirdly, months after Hasan Heybetli died in prison. Her body came back fast. In Istanbul within days. Not like some other Turkish artists who die far away and take forever.

Empty Seats, Refuted Riches: The Final Goodbye

Before the burial, a ceremony hit Istanbul’s Atatürk Cultural Center. Daughter, grandson, American son-in-law, they got condolences. Even bigwigs like the Culture Minister showed up. But the hall? Half-empty. Not a good look, really. For someone so huge, it felt quiet. Kind of a bummer. Only a few close artist pals, like Muazzez Ersoy and Orhan Gencebay, came.

Even though she lived mostly in Istanbul, Muazzez Abacı had one last, super clear wish: buried in Ankara. Her dad, gone so young, was there. She found her final resting spot right next to him at Cebeci Asri Cemetery after a service at Ankara’s Kocatepe Mosque. This legendary life, seriously stranger than anything you’d read, ended right where it all started.

Her death also got some absolutely crazy rumors going. Talk of a fortune, like over a billion bucks! Villas, tons of houses, fancy cars, piles of cash. Manager Taner Budak? He jumped right in, said those numbers were totally fake. Just another curveball in a life packed with ’em.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did Muazzez Abacı pass away?

Muazzez Abacı died in the U.S. She was getting medical care there. And hanging out with her daughter and grandson.

Why was Muazzez Abacı buried in Ankara instead of Istanbul?

Because, even though she lived loads of her life in Istanbul, Muazzez Abacı really wanted to be buried in Ankara. Her hometown. Right next to her dad in Cebeci Asri Cemetery.

What was Muazzez Abacı’s relationship with Hasan Heybetli?

Muazzez Abacı and Hasan Heybetli? Super dramatic. Real public, too. He was an underworld guy. They got married twice! First time, he was even in jail, supposedly. That romance? Full of huge highs and crazy fights.