Selçuk Bayraktar, the prominent Turkish engineer and Chief Technology Officer of Baykar, has garnered significant public attention not only for his groundbreaking work in drone technology but also for his notable personal life. His romantic journey, particularly his high-profile marriage to Sümeyye Erdoğan, daughter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been a subject of widespread public interest and media coverage, symbolizing a union of influence in Turkish society.
Before his widely publicized marriage, Selçuk Bayraktar maintained a relatively private personal life, with no widely reported or confirmed public relationships. His focus during his early career and academic pursuits appeared to be primarily on his engineering endeavors and the development of Baykar, the defense company co-founded by his family. Public records and media archives do not indicate any significant romantic entanglements prior to his relationship with Sümeyye Erdoğan, suggesting a deliberate choice to keep his private life out of the public eye.
The relationship between Selçuk Bayraktar and Sümeyye Erdoğan first came into the public sphere with the announcement of their engagement. Sümeyye Erdoğan, a graduate of Indiana University and the London School of Economics, had also been actively involved in public life, particularly in non-governmental organizations and as an advisor to her father. Their engagement was officially announced in March 2016, marking the beginning of a highly anticipated union that drew considerable national and international media attention.
The couple's wedding was a grand affair, held on May 14, 2016, in Istanbul. The ceremony was attended by numerous dignitaries, including heads of state, prime ministers, and prominent figures from politics, business, and arts, underscoring the significant political and social implications of their marriage. The wedding was widely reported as a major social event in Turkey, with extensive media coverage detailing the preparations and the ceremony itself.
Their marriage was seen by many as a symbolic alliance, bringing together a leading figure in Turkey's burgeoning defense industry with the family of the country's president. Despite the intense public scrutiny, the couple has largely maintained a private demeanor regarding their personal life post-marriage, focusing on their respective professional and philanthropic endeavors. According to reports, the wedding was a traditional Turkish ceremony, reflecting the cultural values of both families.
In August 2017, Selçuk and Sümeyye Bayraktar welcomed their first child, a daughter named Canan Aybüke Bayraktar. The birth of their daughter further solidified their family unit and was met with public congratulations. The couple occasionally shares glimpses of their family life on social media, often related to their work with the T3 Foundation or other public engagements, but generally maintain a respectful boundary around their private moments.
Since their marriage, Selçuk Bayraktar and Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar have frequently appeared together at public events, particularly those related to Baykar's projects, TEKNOFEST (Turkey's largest aviation, space, and technology festival, which Selçuk chairs), and various charitable initiatives. Their public appearances consistently portray a united front, supporting each other's work and shared commitment to technological advancement and social development in Turkey. Their relationship has remained stable and publicly strong, with no reports of discord or separation.
Their union continues to be a prominent example of a powerful and influential couple in Turkey, navigating public life while contributing significantly to the nation's technological and social landscape. Selçuk Bayraktar's romantic history, while not extensive in publicly known past relationships, is defined by this single, high-profile marriage that has significantly shaped his public image and personal journey.