Atila Altaunbay was a professional bodyguard with a passion for the performing arts. He occasionally sang at events. He rose to fame after he married the popular Jamaican-born actress and singer Grace Jones, who was older than him by 27 years.
After their divorce, he chose not to be in the limelight anymore and lived a quiet life in Belgium; he is believed to have died in 2021. This article aims to uncover his life story, occupation, loved ones, wealth, etc.
Atila Altaunbay Biography
Altaunbay was born in 1976 in Turkey and grew up in a Muslim family. During his early years, he lived in Turkey and later moved to Belgium to attend school. He then returned to Turkey to take CPR and AED classes and a martial arts class.
Although he rose to fame through his connection with singer Grace Jones, he did not reveal any information about his family, including the identity of his parents or whether he had any siblings. He was originally of Arab origin, although he was a Turk.
Atila Altaunbay Career
Atila started his career as a pizza delivery man in Belgium. He had a great interest in art and even modelled, acted, and sang at wedding ceremonies. However, his main occupation was a part of the bodyguard service to protect various personalities, mostly actors.
Relationship with Grace Jones: Meeting and Marriage
On one of her visits to Belgium, Grace Jones met Altaunbay, who later became her boyfriend. They succeeded in trying to contain their affair as a private business but could not since Jones was a celebrity. Grace Jones is a Jamaican-American music artist, model, and actress best known for her music and songs like “Private Life,” “Demolition Man,” “My Jamaican Guy,” and “Walking in the Rain.
The couple tied the knot in Rio de Janeiro on February 24, 1996. They did not want crowds and media, so it remained a secret wedding. However, hurried commitment problems ensued, and the couple’s marriage was not legitimate.
They had to remarry since they did not adhere to the church practices and the presiding priest was gay. Their second wedding was in Syracuse, New York, where the bride’s father was headed, and they only invited close friends and relatives. Holding the marriage was problematic as Atila’s family was strictly Islamic, and Atila, the youngest of his siblings, was expected to marry after his elder brothers.
Separation and Divorce
Their marriage lasted roughly eight years, from 1996 to 2004, after which they could go their separate ways. These differences led to their turbulent relationship, brought together by a large difference in their ages and temperaments.
There was a physical fight wherein Atila was accused of brandishing a knife and threatening Grace in the kitchen, which caused their break-up.
While they separated, their divorce did not progress to its last stage; Atila, according to information, vanished, leaving Grace unable to find him to conclude the divorce. Grace said in an interview with The Guardian that they did not feel married and acted like they were divorced.
Life After Separation
Atila Altaunbay, Grace Jones’ ex-husband, disappeared from the public eye after their divorce. It is said that he left Antigua and set up a home in Belgium, where he continues to live a reclusive life in Antwerp, although he occasionally engages in charity work.
Death
According to various sources, Altaunbay died in 2021 at 45. Originally, his death was stated by Helping Hand Belgium in a Facebook post on October 14 2021.
From the post, he was the chairman of the organization and applauded for his excellent work, especially as a social activist in the elimination of inequality and poverty. His death cause, however, was not stated.
Some Facts About Atila Altaunbay
Who is Grace Jones’ husband?
Conan the Destroyer star wed Atila Altaunbay in 1996.
How many years were Grace Jones and Atila Altaunbay apart in age?
They were 27 years apart in age. Grace is much older than Atila, and according to her records, she was born in 1948, while Atila was born in October 1976.
What went wrong between Grace Jones and Atila Altaunbay?
They had always had a tumultuous marriage, but Grace revealed that Atila was overly possessive and rude, which caused them to split.
Did Atila Altaunbay have children with the beautiful entertainer from Jamaica, Grace Jones?
They do not have any children together, but Grace has a son, Paulo Goude, from her previous marriage to Jean-Paul Goude.
What did Atila Altaunbay accomplish?
He rose to fame, more specifically, through his relationship with the American singer Grace Jones. He specialized in modelling, singing, professional bodyguard services, and philanthropy.
When did Atila Altaunbay lose his life?
As reported on the Helping Hand Belgium page on Facebook, he died in October 2021.
Conclusion
Altaunbay married singer Grace Jones and remained a couple for about eight years. They later separated, and he returned to a reclusive life in Belgium. In addition to his involvement with a celebrity figure, he was a model, singer, professional bodyguard, and philanthropist.
Atila is said to have died in October 2021 in Antwerp, Belgium. The cause of his death, however, has not been revealed; it only stated that he was 45 years of age.
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