# Nejla Ateş

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Nejla_Ate%C5%9F
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Nejla_Ate%C5%9F.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nejla_Ate%C5%9F
> Source revision: 1313406816
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Nejla Ateş** (born **Naciye Batır**; March 7, 1932 – September 19, 1995) was a [Turkish](/source/Turkish_people) [belly dancer](/source/Belly_dancer) and actress. Born in [Constanța](/source/Constan%C8%9Ba), [Romania](/source/Romania), she rose to fame in both Turkey and the [United States](/source/United_States), where she was often billed as **Nejla Ates** and nicknamed the "Turkish Delight".[2]

## Career

Ateş gained recognition for her performances in several mid-century American films, including *[King Richard and the Crusaders](/source/King_Richard_and_the_Crusaders)* and *[Son of Sinbad](/source/Son_of_Sinbad)*.[3] She also appeared on Broadway in the musical *[Fanny](/source/Fanny_(musical))*.[4][5]

In November 1954, a nude statue modeled after Ateş was erected in [Central Park](/source/Central_Park), attracting widespread public attention.[6]

## Controversy and personal struggles

Ateş was involved in several public scandals during her career. She had a widely reported feud with burlesque performer Rose la Rose, who accused her of copying dance routines from her act.[7]

Despite her early success, Ateş experienced personal and financial difficulties. She attempted suicide twice—first via an overdose of tranquilizers and aspirin following a dispute with singer Bobby Colt, who was then married to Hope Diamond. Ateş was named as a correspondent in their divorce proceedings. In her own words, she expressed deep disillusionment: "I'm fed up with life... with love... with everything."[7]

A second suicide attempt involving barbiturates left her in a temporary coma. She also suffered from physical ailments, including a slipped disc, reportedly caused by years of intense dancing.

Later reports noted that Ateş, once described as a petite brunette standing 4 feet 11 inches and weighing 98 pounds, returned to Turkey considerably changed in appearance, reportedly weighing over 200 pounds and having dyed her hair blonde.

## Death

Nejla Ateş died in [Istanbul](/source/Istanbul) on September 19, 1995, at the age of 63, reportedly in poverty and obscurity.[8]

## Further reading

- Baysaling, Özer. *Ateş Dansı* (in Turkish) – biography written by her widower.

## References

1. ["'Türk Lokumu' Nejla Ateş'in Hollywood'dan gecekonduya uzanan müthiş hikayesi..."](http://www.posta.com.tr/pazarpostasi/HaberDetay/Turk_Lokumu__Nejla_Ates_in_Hollywood_dan_gecekonduya_uzanan_muthis_hikayesi___.htm?ArticleID=67527). *Posta*. Retrieved 21 November 2015.

1. ["Türk lokumu Nejla Ateş"](http://arsiv.sabah.com.tr/2005/09/01/cp/gnc105-20050828-102.html). *sabah.com.tr*. Retrieved 21 November 2015.

1. ["Stars Interpret Oriental Dances"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FnQnAAAAIBAJ&sjid=omoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3591,3872688&dq=nejla-ates+sinbad&hl=en). *[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette](/source/Pittsburgh_Post-Gazette)*. 10 March 1954. Retrieved 22 December 2010.

1. ["Belly Dancer Finds Women Interesting"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mOgeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sswEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2986,767547&dq=nejla-ates&hl=en). *[Daytona Beach Morning Journal](/source/Daytona_Beach_Morning_Journal)*. 21 November 1954. Retrieved 22 December 2010.

1. The Broadway League. ["Nejla Ates"](http://ibdb.com/person.php?id=96005). *IBDB*. Retrieved 21 November 2015.

1. ["Venus and the Law"](https://books.google.com/books?id=hlYEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Nejla+Ates%22&pg=PA132). *[LIFE](/source/Life_(magazine))*. 6 June 1955. pp. 129–132. Retrieved 22 December 2010.

1. ["Nejla Ates – The Private Life and Times of Nejla Ates"](http://www.glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com/show/15/Nejla+Ates/index.html). *glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com*. Retrieved 21 November 2015.

1. Agâh Özgüç (2008). *Turkish Film Guide: 1917–2008*. [Ministry of Culture and Tourism (Turkey)](/source/Ministry_of_Culture_and_Tourism_(Turkey)). p. 172.

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Nejla Ateş](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nejla_Ate%C5%9F) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nejla_Ate%C5%9F?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.