Sekine Evren

Sekine Evren (née Kankotan; 1922 – 3 March 1982) was the First Lady of Turkey from 12 September 1980 until her death on 3 March 1982 during the presidency of her husband Kenan Evren.[1]

Sekine Kankotan was born as the first daughter of a vine grower in Alaşehir of Manisa, then Ottoman Empire, in 1922.[1][2] She had three younger sisters. She could not complete her education.[1] She married to Senior lieutenant Kenan Evren in 1944 without the permission of her parents.[2] She lost her first child at birth as her husband was assigned to the Turkish Brigade during the Korean War (1950–1953).[1] She gave birth to three daughters Şenay, Gülay and Miray.[2] Evren became diabetic at an early age.[1] During a trip in Brussels, Belgium in May 1980, she contracted a heart attack and became paralyzed.[2]

On 12 September 1980, the Turkish Armed Forces under the leadership of Chief of the General Staff four-star general Kenan Evren staged a military coup. The military junta overturned the government, and appointed Kenan Evren head of state.[1] Sekine Evren rejected to move in the presidential residence Çankaya Mansion because her husband was self-proclaimed President and was not legitimately selected. She remained residing in the military lodging.[3]

Sekine Evren died on 3 March 1982.[1] She was interred following a state funeral held at the Hacı Bayram Mosque in Ankara.[4]