Background and career
Emine Erdoğan (née Gülbaran; born 16 February 1955) is the current first lady of Turkey as the wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Born in Üsküdar, Istanbul, her family originates from Siirt and is of Arab origin. She attended Istanbul Mithatpaşa Vocational Evening School for Girls but did not graduate, and became involved in social activities from a young age. Gülbaran married Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 1978, and they have four children. She became active in politics as a founding member of the Provincial Women's Branch Administrative Board of the Welfare Party and later participated in social responsibility initiatives after her husband became Mayor of Istanbul. She has supported and led projects focused on education, women and children, social development, humanitarian aid, environmental conservation and zero waste, including campaigns promoting girls' schooling and early childhood education. Erdoğan has also received international recognition, including the Nishan-e-Pakistan, while attracting controversy over her use of luxury goods.

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