Acun Ilıcalı Biography: Net Worth, Parents, Age, Wife, Salary, Girlfriend, Children, Siblings, Height

Biography

Ali Acun Ilicali, born on May 29, 1969, in Edirne, Turkey, is a renowned Turkish broadcaster, entrepreneur, international TV producer, and businessman.

He began his career at 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,” “The Voice,” and “MasterChef.” Expanding his media influence, he owns TV channels TV8 and TV8.5 and launched the streaming platform Exxen, demonstrating his reach in digital media.

Acun Ilıcalı‘s entrepreneurial interests extend to sports, where he has made strategic investments, including acquiring a stake in the Dutch football team Fortuna Sittard and later purchasing Hull City AFC in England. He is also the majority shareholder of Shelbourne FC. His involvement in football reflects his passion as a devoted Fenerbahçe fan.

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Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	shokoya
Stage Name:	shokoya
Born:	29 May 1969 (age 55 years old)
Place of Birth:	Lagos
State Of Origin:	Ogun
Nationality:	Nigerian
Education:	Kadıköy Anatolian High School, Istanbul University
Height:	182 cm
Parents:	Ergün Ilıcalı, İlknur Ilıcalı
Siblings:	Ömer Cenker Ilıcalı
Spouse:	Ayça Çağla Altunkaya (m. 2024), Şeyma Subaşı (m. 2017–2018), Zeynep Ilıcalı (m. 2003–2016), Seda Başbuğ (m. 1988–1993)
Girlfriend • Partner:	N/A
Children:	Banu Ilıcalı, Yasemin Ilıcalı, Leyla Ilıcalı, Melisa Ilıcalı
Occupation:	Actress • TV Personality
Net Worth:	$100 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Acun Ilıcalı, born on May 29, 1969, in Edirne, Turkey, moved to Istanbul for his education, attending Kadıköy Anatolian High School for middle and high school.

His family hails from Turkey’s northeastern Erzurum Province, with his father involved in commerce, which may have influenced Ilıcalı‘s entrepreneurial ambitions. He was born to Ergün Ilıcalı and İlknur Ilıcalı, and he has a brother named Ömer Cenker Ilıcalı.

Acun Ilicali has Azerbaijani roots on his paternal side, reflecting a blend of Turkish and Azerbaijani heritage. Though his religious beliefs are not explicitly documented, given Turkey’s cultural context, it is likely he follows Islam.

Academically, Ilıcalı‘s path was unconventional. He began studying English Language and Literature at Istanbul University but left without completing his degree, opting to pursue a media career. He has mentioned that his decision was influenced by his negative school experiences, which he described as a source of personal trauma.

Career

Acun Ilıcalı‘s career reflects his entrepreneurial spirit and deep understanding of audience preferences in media and entertainment. At 22, he began as a sports reporter for Show TV, where he gained valuable insights into the media landscape and learned to create content that resonated with viewers.

In 2006, he founded ACUNMEDYA, a production company behind hit shows like “Survivor,” “The Voice,” and “MasterChef Turkey.” His innovative approach focused on reality TV formats that were relatively new to the Turkish market. “Survivor” became a cultural phenomenon and led to versions in other countries, showcasing his skill in adapting international formats.

Acun Ilicali‘s influence grew with his acquisition of TV8 and TV8.5, which he transformed into platforms for his productions, strengthening his presence in Turkish media. In 2020, he launched Exxen, a streaming service designed to compete with global giants like Netflix in Turkey. Exxen offers both his shows and original content, demonstrating his foresight in digital media trends.

His passion for football led to ventures in sports management. He first became a partner in the Dutch football club Fortuna Sittard and, in 2021, acquired Hull City AFC, expanding his influence in international football. Additionally, he holds a majority stake in Shelbourne FC, an Irish football club, broadening his sports portfolio.

Recognized globally, Acun Ilicali was named among Variety’s 500 most influential business leaders in entertainment, underscoring his impact beyond Turkey. While he tends to keep these efforts relatively private, he also engages in various charitable activities, often using his media platforms to support different 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-profile status in media and entertainment. He first married Seda Başbuğ in 1988 at the age of 19, with whom he 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 shares two daughters, Leyla Ilıcalı and Yasemin Ilıcalı; however, this union also ended in divorce in 2016.

In 2017, Ilıcalı married Şeyma Subaşı, a relationship noted for its significant age difference. They had a daughter, Melisa Ilıcalı, born before their marriage, but the marriage was short-lived, concluding in 2018.

In 2024, at 55, Acun Ilıcalı married Ayça Çağla Altunkaya, who is 30 years younger than him, generating discussions 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 stands at approximately 5’11” (182 cm).

Net Worth

As of recent reports, Acun Ilıcalı‘s net worth is estimated at around $100 million. His wealth largely comes from his diverse ventures in the media and entertainment industry.

Ilıcalı founded ACUNMEDYA, a company pivotal in producing some of Turkey’s most popular TV shows, including “Survivor” and “The Voice.” His media assets also include ownership of TV channels TV8 and TV8.5, as well as the digital platform Exxen, which boasts over 1 million subscribers and holds broadcasting rights for major football leagues.

In addition to his media ventures, Ilıcalı has made significant investments in sports, particularly football. His involvement with clubs like Fortuna Sittard in the Netherlands, Hull City AFC in England, and a brief association with Shelbourne FC in Ireland underscores his ambition to impact football beyond Turkey.