Recep Tayyip Erdogan – President (non-U.S.) – Biography.com
President (non-U.S.)(1954)
Recep Tayyip Erdogan served as prime minister of Turkey from 2003 to 2014. He was elected president in 2014.
quotes
Everyone should know his or her place and duty, and fulfill what he or she is obliged to do thereby.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1954, Recep Tayyip Erdogan became involved in politics while attending university. The first Islamist to be elected mayor of Istanbul, he reduced pollution and improved the city's infrastructure, but was imprisoned on charges of inciting religious hatred.Erdogan later served three terms as prime minister, during which time he markedly improved Turkey's economic standing, but drew criticism for perceived power grabs. He was voted the country's president in 2014, and survived an attempted military coup in July 2016.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan was born on February 26, 1954, in the Kasimpasa quarter of Istanbul, Turkey, to parents Ahmet and Tenzile Erdogan. He spent part of his childhood in Rize, where his father worked as a coastguard, before the family returned to Istanbul when he was 13.
Raised without much money, Erdogan sold lemonade and sesame buns on the streets as a teenager. A talented football player, he competed for many years and reportedly drew interest from top clubs, but was prevented from pursuing that path by his father. Erdogan instead attended the religious Istanbul Imam Hatip School, where he becameinvolved with the National Turkish Students Association, and passed the exams to earn a diploma from Eyup High School as well.
Influenced by the teachings of National Salvation Party leader Necmettin Erbakan, Erdogan was elected head of the party's Beyoglu Youth Branch and Istanbul YouthBranch in 1976. The party was dissolved in the wake of a 1980 military coup, and after Erdogan earned a graduate degree from Marmara Universitys Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences in 1981, he worked as an accountant and a manager in the private sector.
Erdogan returned to politics with the formation of the Welfare Party in 1983, becoming the Beyoglu District head in 1984. The following year, he was voted the IstanbulProvincial head and named to the Central Executive Board. Tasked with improving voter turnout, Erdogan was credited for the party's success in the 1989 municipalelections.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan was elected mayor of Istanbul in 1994. The first Islamist to serve in this role, he demonstrated his religious commitment by banning alcohol from city-owned cafes. He also successfully tackled the city's water shortage, reduced pollution and improved infrastructure, helping to modernize the country's capital.
Erdogan came under serious fire in December 1997 after publicly reciting a poem which included the lines "The mosques are our barracks, the domes our helmets, the minarets our bayonets and the faithful our soldiers." Charged with violating secularist law and inciting religious hatred, he was forced to step down as mayor and barredfrom public office, and ultimately wound up serving four months in prison in 1999.
His prison sentence complete, Erdogan co-founded the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2001. The AKP claimed a resounding victory in the 2002 parliamentaryelections, and Erdogan soon had his power officially restored thanks to a constitutional amendment that overturned his political ban. He became prime minister ofTurkey on March 9, 2003, and subsequently was reelected to the position twice more.
As prime minister, Erdogan markedly improved Turkey's economic standing. He reigned in inflation and encouraged foreign investment, leading to a risein per capita income, stronger credit ratings and close ties with Western allies. However, Erdogan also increasingly became known as an authoritarian leader out to increase thebreadth of his power. In 2013, he had several senior military officials imprisoned for life for plotting to overthrow the AKP, and also ordered the military to crushpeaceful demonstrations at Istanbul's Gezi Park. The following year, after condemning the use of social media, he briefly blocked Turkey's access to Twitter andYouTube.
After reaching his term limits as prime minister, Erdogan became the AKP's candidate in Turkey's first direct election for the presidency, and was inaugurated onAugust 28, 2014. Although the role had previously been more of a ceremonial one, Erdogan indicated his intention to establish new powers as president. His goal wastemporarily impeded when the AKP failed to garner a majority in the 2015 parliamentary elections, but after attempts to form a coalition government faltered, the AKPregained the majority in an election that November.
Mountingunrest boiled over in the form of anattempted military coup on the night of July 15, 2016. Erdogan, who was vacationing with his family, narrowly avoided trouble when his hotel was raided, and successfully escaped to Istanbul. Out of harm's way, he took to the video chat app FaceTime to implore his countrymen to fight the renegade military units. He was largely supported by key government officials and influential figures, and within a few hours the coup, which resulted in more than 400 deaths and another 1,400 people injured, had been quashed.
Erdogan blamed the uprising on followers of Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric living in exile in the United States, and demanded the cleric's extradition. Along with imprisoning thousands of military personnel, he had tens of thousands police officers, judges, civil servants and teachers suspended, detained or placed under investigation. He then declared a national state of emergency,lending credence to the idea that he would use the experience to oust his known enemies and claim even more power.
We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!
Recep Tayyip Erdogan Biography.com
Biography.com Editors
The Biography.com website
June 4, 2017
A&E Television Networks
July 22, 2016
n/a
Continued here:
Recep Tayyip Erdogan - President (non-U.S.) - Biography.com
- Erdogan says Germany, Britain positive on Eurofighter jets sale to Turkey - Reuters - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- We will not leave Sharaa alone: Erdogan vows to stand by Damascus, rejects 'fragmentation of Syria - thecradle.co - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Spotify threatens to pull out of Turkey over rows on playlists targeting Erdogan's spending - The Jerusalem Post - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan, Starmer discuss progress on Eurofighter jets sale to Turkey - MarketScreener - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan says Germany, Britain positive on Eurofighter jets sale to Turkey - AL-Monitor - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan says Germany, Britain positive on Eurofighter jets sale to Turkey - MSN - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan Family Shipping Scandal: Behind the Curtain of Turkeys Trade With Israel - Greatreporter - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan says Germany, Britain positive on Eurofighter jets sale to Turkey - Yahoo Home - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan: world must accept reality of two states on Cyprus - eKathimerini.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Erdogan visits Turkish-occupied north Cyprus on 51st anniversary of 1974 invasion - eKathimerini.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Erdogan honours martyrs on 51st anniversary of Cyprus Peace Operation - TRT Global - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Turkey's Erdogan condemns 'pampered and desparate' Israel after its military actions in Syria - Yahoo Home - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Terror state Israel using Druze as pretext to expand into Syria - The Times of Israel - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Erdogan claims Israels Syria strikes unacceptable and a threat to the entire region - The Times of Israel - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Turkey Opposition Accuses Erdogan of Political Witch-Hunt - Bloomberg - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Israels aggression against Syria poses the biggest problem in the region Syrian Arab News Agency - - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Israeli strikes threat to entire region: Erdogan tells al-Sharaa - Al Arabiya English - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Erdogan calls for unity against terrorism on anniversary of failed coup - Trkiye Today - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- 'Century of Trkiye' vision turning into reality: President Erdogan - Trkiye Today - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Outdated Video of Erdogan in Traditional Clothing Resurfaces After PKK Disarmament - - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- President Erdogan frames emerging 'Jerusalem Alliance' of Turks, Kurds, and Arabs - Trkiye Today - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Erdogan to Iraqi PM: We aim to uproot terrorism for good - Shafaq News - - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Trkiye committed to wiping out terrorism across region: Erdogan - Trkiye Today - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Erdogan, Aliyev discuss ties and security across South Caucasus - AnewZ - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Erdogan blocks Musks AI bot after it insults his mother - telegraph.co.uk - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Turkish Police Detain Three More Mayors From Party Opposed to Erdogan - The Wall Street Journal - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Terrorism-free Trkiye will bring about positive results - Latest news from Azerbaijan - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Terrorism-free Trkiye 'will bring about positive results': Erdogan - TRT Global - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Erdogan draws parallels between Srebrenica Genocide and Gaza in 30th anniversary message - Trkiye Today - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Erdogan's top economy advisor Yigit Bulut dies after prolonged illness - Trkiye Today - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Turkey detains hundreds of Erdogan opponents in pursuit of 'octopus' of corruption - Reuters - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- President Erdogan will 'deliver a historic speech' on July 12: Spokesperson - Trkiye Today - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Turkish President Erdogan Cracks Down on the Opposition Party - The National Interest - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Turkey Blocks Grok AI on X for Alleged Insults to Erdogan, Atatrk, and Religious Values - Greek City Times - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Turkey Blocks Grok Content For Alleged Humiliation Of Erdogan And Religious Values - VOI.ID - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Trkiye bans Elon Musks AI chatbot Grok over insults to Erdogan, Ataturk - Trkiye Today - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- As Erdogan cracks down on opposition, is Turkey headed to early election? - Firstpost - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Erdogan Says Yerevan is More Flexible on So-Called Zangezur Corridor - Asbarez - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- 3 mayors arrested in southern Turkey as part of crackdown on opposition to Erdogan - The Times of Israel - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Erdogan expects F-35 deliveries during Trump presidency, rejects Greek concerns - Defence Industry Europe - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Erdogan meets with pro-Kurdish party delegation in 'historic' peace talks - Trkiye Today - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Turkeys pro-Kurdish party will meet with President Erdogan By Reuters - Investing.com - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Erdogan says asked Trump to intervene over shootings at Gaza aid centers - The Times of Israel - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Erdogan confident Turkey to be readmitted to F-35 programme - The New Arab - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Turkish Police Detain Three More Mayors From Party Opposed to Erdogan - WSJ - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Erdogan confident Turkey will receive F-35 jets under deal with Trump - eKathimerini.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Peace with Kurds to gain momentum as PKK starts laying down arms - kurdistan24.net - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Erdogan says PKK arms decision will accelerate peace process - Trkiye Today - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- PKK disarmament to boost peace with Kurds: Erdogan - New Age BD - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Erdogan and Sharif discuss trade expansion and Gaza crisis at Azerbaijan summit - Trkiye Today - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Armenias vision of unblocking anchored on sovereignty and national jurisdiction: Foreign Ministry responds to Erdogan - Armenpress - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Erdogan: I truly believe Khankendi will become a center of peace - Latest news from Azerbaijan - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- As Trump Pushes Syria Toward Israel, Erdogan Asks What's in It for Him - Haaretz - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Erdogan vows action against magazine over alleged religious insult - rudaw.net - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Erdogan pushes for F-35 deal with US in bid to strengthen Turkey's Air Force, expert says - The Jerusalem Post - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Turkey agrees to increase water flow to Iraq after meeting between Al-Mashhadani and Erdogan - Iraqi News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- President Erdogan to visit Azerbaijan for Economic Cooperation Organization Summit - Trkiye Today - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- U.S. envoy expects Trump, Erdogan to resolve arms sanctions on Turkey this year -Anadolu - Reuters - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Erdogan reiterates gratitude to Azerbaijan for earthquake relief support - Latest news from Azerbaijan - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Erdogan hails 2024 as record year for exports, pledges continued growth in 2025 - TRT Global - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- US envoy expects Trump, Erdogan to resolve arms sanctions on Turkiye this year - Arab News - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- EUs aid to Turkey diverted to spying operations in Europe by Erdogan govt - Nordic Monitor - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Trump, Erdogan hold first meeting at NATO as ties warm: What to know - AL-Monitor - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- President Erdogan condemns terrorist attack in Pakistan near Afghan border - Trkiye Today - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Erdogan Claims Progress in Bid to Secure F-35 Fighter Jet From United States - Foundation for Defense of Democracies - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Turkey hopes for progress on F-35 jets after Trump meeting, Erdogan says - The Times of Israel - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan says Trump would join Ukraine peace talks in Turkey if Putin attends - Reuters - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- World Juniors Qualifier Talya Erdogan is Headed to George Washington University for 2025 - SwimSwam - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Turkeys Erdogan says positive developments on Eurofighter jets - eKathimerini.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan with Trump after five years: why can they get along better now? - Yetkin Report - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Trkiye in talks with the US to rejoin F-35 programme, says Erdogan - TRT Global - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan says Turkey hopes for progress on F-35s after Trump meeting - Investing.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan said that the Russian S-400 air defense systems are not enough to protect Turkey - EADaily - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan says wont let terror drag Syria back to instability - arabnews.jp - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Erdogan to attend June 2425 NATO summit in The Hague as allies mull defense spending hike - Trkiye Today - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Erdogan says Israel-Iran war near point of no return, vows to boost missile production - The Times of Israel - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Armenian prime minister discusses reconciliation with Erdogan in landmark Turkey visit - AP News - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Armenian prime minister to meet Erdogan in rare visit to Turkey aimed at mending ties - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan vows to boost Turkeys missile production as Israel-Iran war escalates - AP News - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan tells Iranian FM talks are only way to settle nuclear dispute - The Times of Israel - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]