Yiğit Bulut, a prominent Turkish journalist, economist, and Chief Advisor to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, passed away at the age of 53 in a private hospital in Istanbul on Friday, following a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer.

His death has elicited widespread condolences from political and media circles, marking the loss of a key figure in Türkiye’s economic policy landscape.

Bulut, who had been receiving treatment for cancer in recent months, saw his condition deteriorate significantly in the days leading up to his passing. Reports indicate that President Erdoğan and Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu visited him in the hospital shortly before his death, underscoring his importance within the administration.

Former Interior Minister and AKP Istanbul MP Süleyman Soylu announced the news, stating: “Our Chief Advisor, member of the Economic Policy Board, journalist, writer, and economist, my dear friend Yiğit Bulut, passed away this morning after a grievous illness. I extend my condolences to his family, loved ones, and colleagues.”

President Erdoğan also expressed his grief, saying: “I learned with deep sorrow of the passing of our valuable colleague Yiğit Bulut. May Allah grant him mercy, and my condolences to his family and all who worked with him.”

Born in 1972 in Keşan, Edirne, Yiğit Bulut came from a politically connected family, with his father, Mustafa Bulut, serving as an Edirne MP for the Justice Party in 1977. Bulut graduated from Galatasaray High School and earned a degree in Banking and Finance from Bilkent University, later completing a master’s degree at Sorbonne University in Paris. Fluent in English and French, he built a distinguished career in media and academia before entering public service.

Bulut rose to prominence as an economic commentator, hosting programs such as Parametre and Finans Analiz on channels like Kanal 6, Kanal E, and CNN Türk. He also wrote columns for newspapers including Radikal, Vatan, Referans, and Star, gaining recognition for his incisive analyses of Türkiye’s financial landscape. His tenure as editor-in-chief of Habertürk TV from 2009 to 2012 and general manager of 24 TV further cemented his influence in the media sector. Bulut also served as a lecturer at Doğuş University, blending academic and practical expertise.

In 2013, Bulut transitioned to politics, appointed as Chief Advisor to then-Prime Minister Erdoğan during a turbulent period marked by nationwide anti-government protests. He became Chief Advisor to the President in August 2014 and joined the Presidential Economic Policy Board in 2018. Known for advocating “economic independence” and “national economy” policies, Bulut was a polarizing figure, often sparking debate with his unorthodox views on monetary policy, including his support for low-interest rates, which some economists linked to Türkiye’s high inflation rates in recent years.

Bulut’s personal life also drew attention. He was married to Şule Zeybek, daughter of former minister Namık Kemal Zeybek and a Kanal D news anchor, from 2000 until their divorce in 2010. The couple had one son, Ahmet, born in 2007.

The news of Bulut’s passing has reverberated across Türkiye, with tributes highlighting his contributions to media and economic policy. However, his outspoken style and controversial statements also elicited mixed sentiments, with some online reactions reflecting criticism of his legacy. No official details regarding his funeral arrangements have been released as of yet.

Yiğit Bulut’s death marks the end of a multifaceted career that spanned journalism, academia, and high-level political advisory roles, leaving a complex legacy in Türkiye’s public sphere. (ILKHA)