Leylâ Sayar (December 27, 1939 – July 22, 2016) was a Turkish actress, author, ballerina,

beauty queen A beauty pageant is a competition in which the contestants are judged and ranked based on various physical and mental attributes. Per its name, beauty pageants traditionally focus on judging the contestants' physical attractiveness, sometimes so ...

, and singer of Circassian and Macedonian Turkish descent. Sayar was considered to be one of the most beautiful women of the

Cinema of Turkey Cinema of Turkey or Turkish cinema (also formerly known as ''Yeşilçam'', which literally means ''Green Pine'' in Turkish language, Turkish), () or Türk sineması refers to the Turkish film industry, film art and industry. It is an importa ...

Early life and career

Sayar was born in 1939 to Circassian mother and Macedonian Turkish father from İstanbul.Leyla Sayar
/ref> Before pursuing an acting career, she attended the American Academy for Girls. In 1957, she was crowned ''Miss Cinema Star''. Leyla Sayar briefly held the first runner-up title for the beauty pageant Miss Turkey. She also finished first in the Miss Beach Beauty competition. She took acting lessons at the Turkish State Theatre in Ankara. Between 1957 and 1976, she has acted in 170 films. Her aunt was married to a business magnate from the United States, and this contact led Leyla Sayar to get offers abroad. However, she steadfastly refused calls from

Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywood ...

. In the late 1950s, despite rumors that Leyla Sayar and

Muzaffer Tema Muzaffer Tema (June 15, 1919 – October 4, 2011) was a Turkish movie actor. He was born on June 15, 1919, in Istanbul. Following his education in flute, violin The violin, sometimes referred to as a fiddle, is a wooden chordophone, ...

would be married were circulated, she dated

Göksel Arsoy Göksel Arsoy (born 15 March 1936) is a Turkish actor, singer and sportsmen. Biography When Arsoy was studying at Istanbul University Istanbul University, also known as University of Istanbul (), is a Public university, public research univ ...

briefly after her breakup with Tema. In 1976, Sayar renounced her career and devoted herself to religion and charity. From then on, she has not used any electronic appliances or devices. Leyla Sayar released various books, including ''Altın Kalem'', ''Erdemin Sırları'', ''Meleğin Sözleri'', ''Mühür'', and ''Mürşit''.

Publications

Books

* ''Altın Kalem'' *''Erdemin Sırları'' * ''Meleğin Sözleri'' (2002) *''Mühür'' *''Mürşit''

Selected filmography

Film

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Sayar, Leyla 1939 births 2016 deaths Turkish film actresses Actresses from Istanbul Turkish people of Circassian descent Macedonian Turks Turkish female erotic dancers