Zerrin Özer

Zerrin Özer — Biography

Zerrin Özer was born in Ankara on 4 November 1957. The younger sister of noted 1970s performer Tülay Özer, she began performing at a young age and built a following with a raw, emotive vocal style that led some fans to dub her “Turkey's Janis Joplin.” Over a career spanning five decades she became known for songs including “Gönül,” “Son Mektup,” “Dayanamıyorum,” “Dünya Tatlısı,” “Paşa Gönlüm,” “Kıyamam” and “Ah İstanbul.”

In the summer of 2026, Özer marked the 50th anniversary of her artistic career with a concert, reflecting on her long journey and remarking that she had “become history.” Around the same time she spoke publicly about health problems that have made it difficult for her to walk unassisted, and admitted to a fear of being forgotten. The period was further marked by the loss of her older sister Tülay Özer, who died in May 2026 at the age of 79.