Beauty queen (B. 16th
February 1913, Istanbul - D. 28th January 2012, Istanbul). She was one
of the six children of the tradesman Halis Bey. Her uncle was one of the famous
operetta composers Muhlis Sabahattin Ezgi and her aunt was also a famous woman
composer Neveser Kökdeş. Turgan Ece, who was one of the managers of the
Galatasaray Sports Club, was her brother. She finished the
The same year, Keriman
Halis participated in the World Beauty Competition held in Belgium in order to
represent Turkey. The beauties of twenty eight countries took part and she was
selected as Miss World by unanimous vote. Not only the European newspapers
but also the European tabloid press gave place to the characteristics of
Keriman Halis in details. This event was found very meaningful for the young
republic. Since a Turkish flag was not found after the competition, a big flag
was prepared there by finding meters of sateen. Keriman Halis saluted the
community coming to see her. By this way, the pictures of Keriman Halis were
printed in newspapers in different dimensions and the pictures were even
printed as autographs, sold and passed from hand to hand.
The return of Keriman
Halis to the homeland created a joy of festival in the country. She was
welcomed at the Sirkeci Terminal just like a real queen. All the press made headlines
from this beautiful and talented Turkish girl. In her public statement, Keriman
Halis told that she had made no pretentions to be the most beautiful girl of
Turkey but she had been just one of them. Atatürk made a special statement for
Keriman Halis who was selected as Miss World. He didn’t use the title queen but
the title “Ece”. This title was given to Keriman Halis as a last name when the
surname act was enacted later on.
Keriman Halis was married
two times, however these marriages didn’t last long. She spent her ensuing
years at her home in Istanbul Çiftehavuzlar with her son Cenk Tamer and lived a
long life. She deceased on the date of 8th January 2012 when she was
ninety nine years old.
