Who Is Tarkan (singer)? Age, Biography and Wiki
Tarkan Tevetoglu, widely known as Tarkan, was born on October 17, 1972, making him 52 years old in 2025. Hailing from West Germany, Tarkan’s family moved back to Turkey when he was a child. He is often referred to as the "Prince of Pop" in Turkey. His musical career took off in the 90s, and since then, he has become a global icon, blending Turkish folk music with modern pop. You can read more about him on his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Pop Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 17, 1972 |
| Age | 52 Years |
| Birth Place | Alzey, Rhineland-Palatinate, West Germany |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | Germany |
Popularity
Tarkan (singer)'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Tarkan stands tall at approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm). His weight is reported to be around 154 pounds (70 kg). Known for his chiseled physique, Tarkan maintains a healthy lifestyle that contributes to his captivating on-stage presence. His body stats include a well-defined muscular build, which he often showcases during his electrifying performances.
At the height of his fame in 1999, Tarkan was called up for military service, which had been legally deferred since 1995. The deadline for beginning his service had passed in 1998, but due to contractual obligations abroad after the success of his compilation album he did not return to Turkey to do his military service.
The media discussed whether Tarkan should be viewed as a deserter and stripped of his citizenship. Even the Turkish parliament discussed the issue.
After the August 1999 earthquake shook Turkey, legislation was enacted that allowed those covered by the law to pay $16,000 for the benefit of the earthquake victims in return for shortening their military service obligation to 28 days. Tarkan returned to Turkey in 2000, took advantage of this law, and completed his service.
Of his shortened time in military training, he said: "It was January and snowing like crazy. It was tough; the food was terrible. Eighteen months of my life for nothing? I thought my own dreams were more important."
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Tarkan is in a committed relationship. He has been in the public eye regarding his romantic life but tends to keep these details private. Previously, he was in a relationship with Turkish actress Pinar Dilmener, but the couple parted ways. Tarkan is now happily dating a private individual, ensuring that they maintain a low profile away from the media spotlight. He has one daughter, Lila, born in 2016, from his marriage to Ezgi N. Hori, which lasted from 2016 until their separation in 2020.
His mother named him after the comic book character Tarkan. The name Tarkan is said to originate from an ancient Turkic king or title, meaning bold and strong. Tarkan's interest in music began in childhood. Tarkan and his five siblings moved to Turkey in 1986 with their parents settled in Karamürsel, Kocaeli.
After his father's death, his mother married an architect, Seyhun Kahraman. Tarkan has three step-siblings named Adnan, Gülay and Nuray, from his mother's first marriage, and a brother, Hakan, and a younger sister, Handan, from her marriage to his father.
Net Worth and Salary
Tarkan's estimated net worth in 2025 is around $40 million. His revenue streams include music sales, concert tours, sponsorships, and various endorsements. Tarkan's successful career has made him one of the wealthiest musicians in Turkey, and his continued innovation in the music industry contributes to his growing earnings.
Career, Business & Investments
Tarkan’s career spans over three decades, during which he has released numerous hit albums such as "Karma," "Dudu," and "Come Closer." His unique sound, combining Western and Eastern musical influences, has garnered him millions of fans worldwide. In addition to his music career, Tarkan has made smart investments in the fashion and entertainment industries, launching his own clothing line and collaborating with international brands. He is also involved in various philanthropic efforts, focusing on education and children’s health in Turkey.
In 1997, Tarkan found his own production company Hitt Müzik and in the same year he released his third studio album Ölürüm Sana, which sold three and a half million copies. Tarkan himself did the songwriting and composition for many of the songs on this album.
"Şımarık", "İkimizin Yerine", "Salına Salına Sinsice", "Ölürüm Sana" and "Kır Zincirlerini" were the songs for which music videos were made.
"Şımarık" became a hit in many countries; ranking third in France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland; second in Norway; and first in Belgium; it also ranked 26th on Billboard list of Latin Pop Songs. The song was later performed by many other artists. The song "Kır Zincirleri" also made it into Germany, Belgium and France's music charts.
A copyright dispute erupted between Tarkan and Aksu over the track "Şımarık", which ultimately blocked the singer's chance to release an English-language version of the song.
The music was initially credited as composed by Aksu, Tarkan and Çolakoğlu, but Tarkan later admitted in a 2006 interview that this had been done without Aksu's consent, and that Aksu was the true copyright owner. This dispute ended their successful musical partnership and friendship.
Social Network
Tarkan is quite active on social media, where he enjoys connecting with fans. His official accounts on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook feature updates on his personal life, upcoming projects, and advocacy work. With a massive following, he uses these platforms not only for promotional activities but also for engaging with his audience personally.
Alongside his music career, Tarkan has taken part in numerous social projects and is known as "Megastar" and "Prince of the Bosporus" in the press. One of few European singers who has managed to span chart success without singing in English, he is also noted for his live stage performances.
Tarkan's effect on Turkey has been compared by the Washington Post to that of Elvis Presley in the US around 1957 and Atlantic Records's co-founder Ahmet Ertegun described him as one of the best live performers he had ever seen.
He has also been listed by Rhapsody as a key artist in the history of European pop music, with his signature song "Şımarık" as a keystone track that moved the genre forward. His albums have sold over 15 million copies.
Throughout his career, he has won four Turkey Music Awards, six Golden Butterfly Awards and one World Music Award and has received various nominations.
Education
Tarkan attended the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in Istanbul, where he studied music. His education laid the groundwork for his future as a successful artist. He also honed his craft through various lessons and workshops, embracing both traditional Turkish music and contemporary pop influences.
In 1986, he moved to Turkey together with his family. Tarkan, who had been interested in music since his childhood, went to high school at Karamürsel and took music lessons. In the following years, he met the owner of İstanbul Plak, Mehmet Söğütoğlu, and signed a contract to release his albums.
