Newly literate Turkish woman suffers brain hemorrhage live on TV while introducing book

ISTANBUL

Nazmiye Kocakulak, a writer who learned to read and write at the age of 62, suffered a brain hemorrhage while being interviewed live on private Turkish broadcaster TV8 on Nov. 30, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.

Kocakulak joined the show in Istanbul to talk about her newly released book on her life, titled “Alone.”   

She was taken to the nearby Okmeydanı Research and Training Hospital for a medical examination after the hemorrhage. 

Doctors at the hospital said that in addition to the hemorrhage, Kocakulak had suffered a stroke along the left side of her body. She has been taken under treatment against the risk of a second brain hemorrhage.

Kocakulak’s book describes her life with two disabled children and her battle to become literate aged 62. The book’s official launch, which had been planned to take place in Istanbul, was canceled after the incident. 

The hemorrhage took place after the presenter of the show, Yılmaz Morgül, and fellow guest, singer İbrahim Erkal, announced that they would organize a concert and grant all money earned from it to Kocakulak.

Upon hearing this, she became excited and suffered the brain hemorrhage live on camera.