Sultan, the 'woman in red' whose life was documented, dies at 80

Sultan Özcan, a woman whose life was marked by resilience and a distinctive personal style, has died in Aksaray, Turkey, at the age of 80. Known for her signature red clothing and makeup, Özcan's life story was one of overcoming significant personal challenges.

Born in the village of Cumali, Özcan married her childhood sweetheart, a teacher, at 15. Her life took her to Hakkari and Giresun following her husband's career. However, their marriage, which lasted 25 years, was marred by jealousy and domestic violence. The couple separated in 1995 due to their inability to have children, a source of deep sorrow for Özcan.

After returning to her hometown and undergoing psychological treatment, Özcan continued to face difficulties, including the loss of her mother. She was diagnosed with a "mood disorder" in 2006 and received an 80% disability report. She lived in a small, single-room house built next to her brother's home.

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My husband was a teacher, then became a police officer and commissioner. He took me to those cities. We were married for 25 years, we had no children. We had disagreements because of the child. We fought, we brawled. Every month I would come to my father's house. He still loved me, but we separated because I couldn't have a child.

Özcan became a local figure, often seen walking in the city center in her red outfits and makeup when the weather permitted. In a 2020 interview, she explained her devotion to the color red. "My husband was a teacher, then became a police officer and commissioner. He took me to those cities," she recounted. "We were married for 25 years, we had no children. We had disagreements because of the child. We fought, we brawled. Every month I would come to my father's house. He still loved me, but we separated because I couldn't have a child."

She recalled an incident in Hakkari where her husband admired a woman in a red dress. "My husband said, 'Look how beautiful that girl is.' So that he wouldn't envy anyone else, I went and bought a red dress from the store. I dressed just like that girl. From that day on, I wore red so that my husband wouldn't look at anyone else and would always love me," she said. Özcan was recently undergoing treatment at Selçuk University Faculty of Medicine since June due to health issues and passed away on Tuesday evening despite medical efforts. She was laid to rest at Kağnıcılar Cemetery in Karatay district.

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My husband said, 'Look how beautiful that girl is.' So that he wouldn't envy anyone else, I went and bought a red dress from the store. I dressed just like that girl. From that day on, I wore red so that my husband wouldn't look at anyone else and would always love me.