Tansu Ciller
Tansu Çiller was born in Istanbul in 1946.
A graduate of Robert College, Tansu Ciller received a degree in economics from Bogaziçi University. Ciller obtained a PhD degree in economics from the University of Conneticut. She carried out her post-doctoral studies at Yale University.
Ciller became an associate professor in 1978 and full professor in 1983. After serving on the academic board of various universities, mainly in Bogazici University's Department of Economics, Professor Ciller entered politics in November 1990 in Suleyman Demirel's True Path Party (DYP). She became deputy chairperson of the DYP, following her election victory to the DYP executive board. In the October 20, 1991 election she was elected to Parliament from Istanbul on the DYP ticket. With the formation of the True Path Party (DYP)-Social Democratic Populist Party (SHP) coalition government, Ciller was appointed state minister responsible for the economy in Demirel's cabinet. Emerging as an active member of the cabinet, Ciller gained popularity, especially with her contacts in the West.
She decided to run for DYP leadership following Dumirel's election as the 9th President of the Turkish Republic. Ciller got the highest vote in the first round of elections at the DYP extraordinary convention on June I3,1993, leaving other canditates far behind. Ciller is the first woman prime minister of the Turkish Republic.
She has nine publications on economy.
Married with two children, Professor Ciller speaks fluent English and German.