Biography
Ali Acun Ilicali, born on 29 May 1969 in Edirne, Turkey, is a prominent Turkish broadcaster, businessman, international television producer and entrepreneur.
He started his career at the age of 22 as a sports reporter for Show TV before quickly moving into production and hosting, becoming a key figure in Turkish television. Acun Ilıcalı later founded ACUNMEDYA, responsible for producing many popular shows in Turkey and internationally, including “Survivor“ “Voice,” And “Super Chef.” Expanding his media influence, he owns TV8 and TV8.5 channels and launched a streaming platform Exxendemonstrate your influence on digital media.
Acun Ilıcalı’s business interests extend to sports, where he has made strategic investments, including buying a stake in Dutch football team Fortuna Sittard and later purchasing Hull City AFC in England. He is also a major shareholder in Shelbourne FC. His involvement in football reflects his passion as a loyal Fenerbahçe fan.
Actress
shokoya |
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 shokoya: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photos |
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| Wiki Events & About Data | |
| Real name: | shokoya |
| Stage name: | shokoya |
| Born: | May 29, 1969 (age 55) |
| Place of birth: | Lagos |
| State of origin: | Ogun |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Education: | Kadıköy Anatolian High School, Istanbul University |
| Height: | 182cm |
| Parents: | Ergün Ilıcalı, İlknur Ilıcalı |
| Siblings: | More Information |
| Couple: | Ayça Çağla Altunkaya (m. 2024), Şeyma Subaşı (m. 2017–2018), Zeynep Ilıcalı (m. 2003–2016), Seda Başbuğ (m. 1988–1993) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Do not have |
| The children: | Banu Ilıcalı, Yasemin Ilıcalı, Leyla Ilıcalı, Melisa Ilıcalı |
| Job: | Actress • Television Personality |
| Net worth: | 100 million dollars (USD) |
Early life and education
Acun Ilıcalı, born May 29, 1969 in Edirne, Türkiye, moved to Istanbul to study, studying Kadıköy Anatolian High School for middle school and high school.
His family hails from the Erzurum province in northeastern Türkiye, with his father working in commerce, which may have influenced Ilıcalı’s entrepreneurial ambitions. He is the son of Ergün Ilıcalı and İlknur Ilıcalı, and he has an older brother named Ömer Cenker Ilıcalı.
Acun Ilicali was of Azerbaijani descent on his father’s side, reflecting a mixture of Turkish and Azerbaijani heritage. Although his religious beliefs are not clearly documented, given the cultural context of Turkey, it is likely that he was Muslim.
Academically, Ilıcalı’s path was unconventional. He began studying English Language and Literature at Istanbul University but dropped out without completing his degree, choosing to pursue a career in media. He has mentioned that his decision was influenced by negative experiences at school, which he describes as a source of personal trauma.
Career
Acun Ilıcalı’s career reflects his entrepreneurial spirit and deep understanding of audience preferences in the media and entertainment industry. At the age of 22, he started working as a sports reporter for Show TV, where he gained valuable insights into the media landscape and learned how to create content that resonated with viewers.
In 2006, he founded ACUNMEDYAa production company behind hit shows like “Survivor“ “Voice,” And “MasterChef Türkiye.”His creative approach focuses on reality TV formats that are relatively new to the Turkish market.”Survivor” became a cultural phenomenon and led to numerous versions in other countries, demonstrating his skill in adapting international formats.
Acun Ilicali’s influence grew as he acquired TV8 and TV8.5, which he turned into platforms for his productions, cementing his presence in Turkish media. In 2020, he launched Exxena streaming service designed to compete with global giants like Netflix in Türkiye. Exxen providing both original programming and content, demonstrating his foresight in digital media trends.
His passion for football has led to ventures in sports management. He first became a partner in Dutch football club Fortuna Sittard and in 2021 acquired Hull City AFC, expanding his influence in international football. He also holds a majority stake in Shelbourne FC, an Irish football club, expanding his sports portfolio.
Recognized globally, Acun Ilicali was named by Variety as one of the 500 most influential business leaders in the entertainment industry, highlighting his impact beyond Turkey. While he tends to keep these endeavors relatively private, he is also involved in various charitable causes, often using his media platform to support various causes.
Social media
- Instagram: Acun Ilıcalı (@acunilicali)
- Twitter: Acun Ilıcalı (@acunilicali) / X
- IMDb: Acun Ilicali
- Facebook: Acun Ilıcalı
Personal life
Acun Ilıcalı’s personal life has attracted considerable public attention, reflecting his high status in the media and entertainment world. He first married Seda Başbuğ in 1988 at the age of 19, and had a daughter, Banu Ilıcalı. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1993.
Ilıcalı’s second marriage was to Zeynep Ilıcalı in 2003, with whom he had two daughters, Leyla Ilıcalı and Yasemin Ilıcalı; however, this marriage also ended in divorce in 2016.
In 2017, Ilıcalı married Şeyma Subaşı, a relationship known for its significant age difference. They had a daughter, Melisa Ilıcalı, born before the marriage, but the marriage did not last long, ending in 2018.
In 2024, at the age of 55, Acun Ilıcalı married Ayça Çağla Altunkaya, who is 30 years his junior, sparking much discussion on social media about age differences in relationships.
Through his marriages, Ilıcalı has four daughters: Banu from his first marriage and Melisa from his relationship with Şeyma Subaşı.
Acun Ilıcalı is approximately 5’11” (182 cm) tall.
Net worth
According to recent reports, Acun Ilıcalı’s net worth is estimated to be around $100 million. His wealth comes mainly from various ventures in the media and entertainment industry.
Ilıcalı was founded ACUNMEDYAa company that plays a key role in the production of some of Türkiye’s most popular television shows, including “Survivor” And “Voice.” His media assets also include ownership of TV channels TV8 and TV8.5, as well as digital platform Exxen, which boasts more than 1 million subscribers and holds broadcasting rights to major football leagues.
In addition to his media ventures, Ilıcalı has invested heavily in sports, particularly football. His involvement with clubs such as Fortuna Sittard in the Netherlands, Hull City AFC in England and a brief relationship with Shelbourne FC in Ireland underscore his ambitions to influence football beyond Türkiye.
