Erbakan's wife dies at 62
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Nermin Erbakan died at the age of 62 early on Monday morning in an Ankara hospital, following a complaint of cardiac discomfort. Nermin was the wife of politically banned Welfare Party (RP) leader Necmettin Erbakan. She was taken to hospital after suffering a heart attack and underwent an angiogram following a medical examination. Nermin's condition was said to be stable for 24 to 36 hours, but deteriorated after midnight, said Professor Adnan Çobanoğlu, chief physician at Ankara Yüksek İhtisas Hospital.
Erbakan was informed of his wife's death by telephone after Nermin's condition placed her intensive care when cardiac bleeding was discovered.
The Erbakans have been married since 1967. Nermin was one of Erbakan's biggest supporters during the 1980s. As a good husband, Erbakan was praying for her wife's recovery, daily Yeni Şafak headlined yesterday. The paper went to print before Erbakan's wife passed away.
Erbakan was banned from politics when the military seized power in 1980. He was held in prison on charges of anti-secularism.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called Necmettin Erbakan on Saturday evening before the death of his wife and enquired after her health. Political party officials including Saadet (Happiness or Contentment) Party (SP) acting leader Recai Kutan, former Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy leader Dengir Mir Mehmet Fırat went to the hospital yesterday.
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal sent written condolences to Erbakan.
The funeral will take place in Istanbul on Tuesday.