Madam Atatürk: The First Lady of Modern Turkey

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is hailed as one of the most charismatic political leaders of the twentieth century, but little is known today about his one and only wife, Latife Hanım. A multilingual intellectual educated at the Sorbonne, Latife’s marriage to Atatürk raised her to the pinnacle of political power. She played a central role in the creation of a modern and secular Turkey and championed the emancipation of women. Throughout her marriage, she stood beside her husband, acting as his interpreter and diplomatic aide. However, after only two years of marriage, Atatürk divorced Latife, who was shunned and spent the rest of her life in seclusion.An international bestseller, this intimate biography vividly brings to life the story of an exceptional and courageous woman, well ahead of her time, who lived through a remarkable period in Turkish history.