Turkish folk musician Soner Olgun dies at 67 after cancer battle
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In brief
Turkish folk musician Soner Olgun died on October 16, 2026, at age 67 following a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to Turkish media reports. His death was announced by broadcaster and close friend Nebil Özgentürk, and tributes followed from colleagues including Mesut Yar. A funeral ceremony was scheduled for October 18, 2026.
Turkish musician Soner Olgun died on October 16, 2026, at the age of 67, Turkish outlets including NTV, Habertürk and Hürriyet reported. Olgun had been undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Born on June 18, 1959, in Fethiye, Olgun built a career reinterpreting Turkish folk music with modern instrumentation, according to Hürriyet and Aydınlık, which described him as a lyricist, composer and performer. He released several albums, including "İyi Bayramlar Türkiye" and "Sevda Diye Bir Kuş," and was credited with around 35 works as a lyricist or composer, NTV reported.
Illness and final days
NTV and Hürriyet reported that Olgun, who had long been battling pancreatic cancer, was first hospitalized on August 30, 2026, with a high fever, but was discharged after two days at his own request. His condition worsened again in early October; he was readmitted to intensive care on October 7 and later intubated, according to Hürriyet. He died at the hospital roughly nine days after that second admission.
Announcement and tributes
News of Olgun's death was first announced on his social media account with the message "We lost Soner Olgun," NTV reported. Broadcaster and close friend Nebil Özgentürk also confirmed the death, writing according to Habertürk: "We have lost my dear friend Soner Olgun. I am deeply saddened. I wish patience to his children, family members, and all those who loved him."
We have lost my dear friend Soner Olgun. I am deeply saddened. I wish patience to his children, family members, and all those who loved him.
— Nebil Özgentürk, broadcaster, quoted by Habertürk
Television host Mesut Yar also paid tribute to Olgun, according to TV100. Yar said Olgun used to always wish him a happy holiday and that holidays no longer held the same meaning for him now. Yar described Olgun as an honest man who endured his illness well, and said Olgun had been reunited with late fellow artist Metin Uca.
Aydınlık reported that the news was met with sorrow among members of the art community and Olgun's admirers, with family, close associates and fellow artists issuing condolence messages after the announcement.
Funeral
According to NTV and Aydınlık, a funeral ceremony for Olgun was scheduled for Sunday, October 18, 2026. The reports did not specify a location for the service at the time of publication.
Questions
How old was Soner Olgun when he died?
He was 67 years old. He was born on June 18, 1959, in Fethiye, and died on October 16, 2026, according to Hürriyet and NTV.
What illness did Soner Olgun have?
He had long been battling pancreatic cancer before his death, according to NTV and Hürriyet. Both outlets reported he was hospitalized on August 30, 2026, discharged, then readmitted to intensive care on October 7 and later intubated.
Who announced Soner Olgun's death?
The news was first posted on his social media account, and broadcaster Nebil Özgentürk, a close friend, publicly confirmed his death, according to Habertürk and NTV.
When is Soner Olgun's funeral?
His funeral ceremony was scheduled for Sunday, October 18, 2026, according to NTV and Aydınlık.
What is Soner Olgun known for?
He was known for reinterpreting Turkish folk music with modern instruments, releasing albums such as "İyi Bayramlar Türkiye" and "Sevda Diye Bir Kuş," and contributing lyrics or music to around 35 works, according to NTV and Hürriyet.
How the world is telling it
TurkishTurkish outlets frame Olgun's death as a loss for the Turkish folk music scene, emphasizing his long illness, his blending of traditional folk music with modern instrumentation, and emotional tributes from close friends such as broadcasters Nebil Özgentürk and Mesut Yar.
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