젤랄 바야르: 터키의 제3대 대통령이자 건국 아버지

Mahmut Celalettin Bayar, known as Celal Bayar, was born on May 16, 1883, in the village of Umurbey, near Bursa. His life journey reflects the transformation of Türkiye from the Ottoman Empire to a modern republic. Bayar began his career as a bank clerk but soon became involved in politics, joining the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP), a group that sought reform within the empire.

During the Turkish War of Independence (1919–1923), Bayar emerged as a key figure. He worked closely with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, serving as a member of the Grand National Assembly and later as the Minister of Economy. His efforts were crucial in securing financial stability and rebuilding the war-torn nation. In 1924, he founded the Türkiye İş Bankası, which remains one of the country’s largest and most influential banks today.

Bayar’s political career continued to rise. He served as Prime Minister from 1937 to 1939 before becoming Türkiye’s third president in 1950, a position he held until 1960. His presidency marked a shift toward multi-party democracy in Türkiye, though his tenure ended with the 1960 military coup. Despite this, his contributions to the nation’s economic and political development remain significant.

After his presidency, Bayar remained a respected elder statesman until his death on August 22, 1986. His legacy is remembered for his role in Türkiye’s early republican era and his efforts to modernize the country.