Soner Olgun laid to rest at 67 as ex-wife and daughters bid heartbreaking farewell

 Soner Olgun receives an emotional farewell from family and friends.

Turkish musician and performer Soner Olgun was laid to rest in Istanbul on Sunday, October 18, following an emotional farewell attended by his family, close friends and prominent figures from the entertainment industry. The 67-year-old artist died on October 16 after battling pancreatic cancer, leaving behind a long musical career and loved ones struggling to come to terms with his loss.

A memorial ceremony was held at Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Theatre before his funeral prayer at Teşvikiye Mosque. Among the first to arrive were his former wife, Özlem Koldaş, and actor Hüseyin Avni Danyal, who joined fellow artists in paying their final respects.

Özlem Koldaş Delivers an Emotional Farewell to Soner Olgun

One of the most heartbreaking moments came from Koldaş, who bid a tearful farewell to her former husband. Although their marriage had ended, the two had maintained a close bond over the years, sharing memories, professional experiences and a daughter, Elif Olgun.

Speaking at the memorial ceremony, Koldaş reflected on knowing Olgun since she was 21 and on the years they had spent together. She recalled working alongside him on his music videos and described him as an important part of her life.

Her most emotional words were about their daughter. Promising to take care of Elif, she told Olgun not to worry about her.

“Bir kızımız var. Elif bana emanet. Sen hiç merak etme. Ona çok iyi bakacağım ben Soner,” she said, meaning that their daughter was entrusted to her and that she would look after her.

Koldaş had also shared a moving message on social media following his death, reflecting on their relationship and the friendship they maintained after their marriage ended. She remembered Olgun as part of her youth, a companion through difficult and happy times, and the father of their daughter.

Soner Olgun’s Daughters Pay Their Final Respects

Soner Olgun’s daughters, Ayşecan Olgun and Elif Olgun, also took part in the emotional farewell to their father. Their presence added to the sadness of the ceremony, as family members and friends gathered to remember the musician and celebrate his life.

Actor Hamdi Alkan, a close friend of Olgun, expressed deep sorrow at the memorial. Fellow actor Menderes Samancılar was also among those who attended both the ceremony and the funeral, visibly affected by the loss.

Samancılar spoke about the pain of losing friends and lamented that so many people had been forced to say goodbye to loved ones at a relatively young age. As the funeral service concluded, he stood beside Olgun’s coffin, visibly grieving his friend.

Hüseyin Avni Danyal also remembered Olgun’s generosity and support. He recalled how the musician had helped him professionally, including writing the play ‘Letafet’ for him when he was struggling to find suitable material. Danyal described Olgun as a talented artist and a loyal friend whose kindness he would never forget.

Following the memorial at Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Theatre, the funeral prayer was held at Teşvikiye Mosque after the noon prayer. Koldaş remained close to the coffin as she said her final goodbye. Olgun was subsequently laid to rest at Hasdal Cemetery.

Soner Olgun’s Battle With Pancreatic Cancer

Soner Olgun had been receiving treatment for pancreatic cancer for an extended period. Turkish media reported that he was hospitalized on August 30 after developing a high fever. He later continued treatment at home, but his condition worsened, leading to another hospital admission and intensive care before his death on October 16.

News of his passing prompted an outpouring of condolences from the Turkish entertainment world, with colleagues remembering both his artistic achievements and his generosity toward those around him.

Remembering Soner Olgun’s Musical Legacy

Born in Fethiye, Muğla, in 1959, Olgun studied at Bornova Anatolian High School before graduating from Dokuz Eylül University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, where he studied theatre and dramatic writing.

He began his recording career with the album ‘Letafet’ in 1992 and went on to release several albums, including ‘Her Şey Değişmeli’, ‘İyi Bayramlar’, *’yi Bayramlar Türkiye’, ‘Sevda Diye Bir Kuş’ and ‘Yakarım Yağmurları’. His best-known songs included “İyi Bayramlar Türkiye” and “Sevda Diye Bir Kuş.”

Beyond music, Soner Olgun wrote for the stage and presented music programmes on Cine5 and TV8. His live performances became a defining part of his career. From 1997 to 2014, he performed at the same Istanbul venue every Friday and Saturday for 17 consecutive years, while also maintaining a long-running performance schedule in Northern Cyprus.

His final farewell brought together family, friends and fellow artists to remember a performer whose work crossed music, theatre and television. For those closest to him, however, the loss was deeply personal: a beloved father, a trusted friend and a man whose memory will remain long after the final notes of his music have faded.