Meral Okay

Meral Okay was a Turkish screenwriter and actress who became known for her roles in Turkish films and television series. She was born on September 20, 1959, in Ankara to military judge Ata Katı and Türkan as the second child. During her childhood, she moved with her family across Turkey due to her father's duty. After completing high school in Ankara, she began working at the governmental agency "Turkish Grain Board". During the 1980 Turkish coup d'état era, she was a member of the socialist Workers Party of Turkey and union spokesperson at her workplace. In 1983, she moved to Istanbul to enter the daily Günaydın. She later contributed to the establishment of the publication company "İletişim", and took part in the team that prepared the Turkish edition of Playboy magazine. She married in 1984 to stage and movie actor Yaman Okay, whom she had already met in Ankara. Her husband's profession paved her the way for entry into the world of cinema. She became well-known for the TV series "Second Spring", starring legendary actress Türkan Şoray and the incomparable Şener Şen. She also produced the TV series, as well as the film "Hiçbiryerde". She appeared as an actress in TV series and films like "Bir Bulut Olsam", "Beynelmilel", "Yeditepe Istanbul" and "Seni Seviyorum Rosa". For one of her last projects, she worked as the main screenwriter for the historical TV series, "Muhteşem Yüzyıl", based on the life of Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. She won several awards for her work, including the "Best Supporting Actress" at the 2007 International Adana Golden Boll Film Festival for her role in "Beynelmilel". Her husband Yaman Okay died in 1993 at the age of 41 from pancreatic cancer. In the summer months of 2011, Meral Okay was diagnosed with lung cancer. She died from complications of the disease on April 9, 2012, at the age of 52. Following the religious funeral at Bebek Mosque, she was buried beside her husband's grave at the Zincirlikuyu Cemetery. She was remembered for her smiling face, humble and maternal personality, and her contribution to Turkish cinema and television.